Field Practice

Corrections majors must successfully complete a 450-hour Field Practice as part of their graduation requirements. The Field Practice experience includes a 400-hour internship and a 50-hour Capstone course and is coordinated between the student, the Director of Corrections Field Education, and the site agency.  Students must apply for their Field Practice one semester before their internship begins.  There are a variety of Field Practice site options including but not limited to: government agencies, non-profit organizations, victim services, and correctional institutions. Students are responsible for researching and selecting a placement that best fits their educational and professional goals. Field Practice and Capstone provide students with the opportunity to utilize the knowledge and skills they have learned in Corrections courses.  Students find the Field Practice experience to be an enriching addition to their classroom learning.

For more information about the Capstone experience, contact Dr. Sherrise Trusedale-Moore at sherrise.truesdale@mnsu.edu.

For more information about the Field Practice experience, contact Jessica McLaughlin at jessica.mclaughlin@mnsu.edu.

Purpose

The Field Practice and Capstone experience is designed to provide students with an opportunity to utilize the knowledge and skills they have learned in classroom work.Students will have opportunities to integrate their classroom work in a professional setting, while focusing on the principles of social justice, respect, support, and belief in the inherent dignity and worth of all individuals. Students should have increasing responsibility during the Field Practice, at the discretion of the site supervisor. Access to professional networks and resources will enable students to apply critical thinking skills, engage in real-time problem solving, and gain exposure to a variety of professional settings and dynamics.

Policies

Students must complete all requirements for Correction major prior to Field Placement.

Students must abide by rules and regulations of the agency where they are completing their Field Practice and must conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times during their placement.

Students must maintain client privacy and refrain from sharing information about persons that they encounter during their Field Practice.

Students must meet with the Director of Corrections Field Education twice during their Field Practice.  On of these meeting will take place at the placement site.

Students who fail to conduct themselves in a professional manner may have their Field Placement terminated and will fail the course.

Students will report and of the following issues to the Director of Corrections Field Education immediately:

  • Lack of appropriate supervision from the agency site supervisor
  • Being assigned responsibilities that exceed student skill and training
  • Witnessing ethical violations at Field Practice site
  • Having a client file a grievance against you
  • Being the victim of a crime in your role as an intern or having your safely compromised
  • Any situation that requires Mandated Reporting

Requirements for Application

  • I have provided Jessica McLaughlin with an unofficial copy of my transcript.
  • I am or will be a Sr. or Jr. in class standing as of my field practice semester.
  • I have completed all required courses and course work.
  • I have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher in my major.
  • I have no “D’s” in my required classes.
  • I have met with Jessica McLaughlin to discuss my Field Practice.

Application

Apply here

Guidelines for Field Practice Site Selection

The Director of Corrections Field Education must approve Field Practice Sites
Criteria to condsider when choosing a site:

  • Does the site serve persons who have committed crimes?
  • Does the site serve persons who have been victims of crimes?
  • Is the site part of the Criminal Justice system?
  • Does the site serve persons involved with the Criminal Justice system?

Responsibilities

Student:

  • Meet with Director of Corrections Field Education one semester before beginning internship.
  • Purchase liability insurance before beginning internship (Cashier's Office)
  • Dress professionally and exhibit professional behavior throughout the course internship, which will total 400 hours.
  • Maintain professional boundaries at all times.
  • Meet with Director of Corrections Field Education face to face two times during the semester that you are completing your internship. (One time will be on-site with site supervisor, student intern, and Director of Corrections Field Education).
  • Maintain electronic journal on D2L.
  • Complete final Capstone paper.
  • Develop a professional resume' to be put in to your file with Director of Corrections Field Education.
  • Complete evaluation form and give to Director of Corrections Field Education during finals week of the semester that you complete your internship.
  • Complete an exit interview with Director of Corrections Field Education during finals week of the semester that you complete your internship.
  • Students will likely be Mandated Reporters of abuse/neglect and should take care to report any incidents to their site supervisor and to the Director of Corrections Field Education within 24 hours.

Director of Corrections Field Education:

  • Assist student in finding appropriate Field Practice site.
  • Communicate with site supervisor throughout internship placement.
  • Communicate with student and address any issues that arise with the Field Practice placement.
  • Assure that students have completed the required paperwork before internship begins.

Site Supervisor:

  • Meet with student to explain duties and expectations.
  • Provide intern with increasing opportunities and responsibilities.
  • Encourage student to demonstrate a commitment to the principles of social justice, respect, support and belief in the inherent dignity and worth of all individuals.
  • Be available to discuss concerns with student as necessary.
    Communicate with Director of Field Practice Education immediately if concerns arise.

Please review the attached material and contact Jessica McLaughlin with any questions. No field practice will be approved until all items on the checklist have been addressed and you have received permission to register. Jessica McLaughlin can be reached by phone at 507-389-5601 or by email at jessica.mclaughlin@mnsu.edu.

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