Applied Learning
Exercise Science and Applied Leadership Studies Internships
The Department of Health and Exercise Science believes the internship program affords students the opportunity to apply acquired cognitive understanding and psychomotor skills and is a valuable supplement to their learning experience. Consequently, there is an expectation that the internship will foster learning and the acquisition of useful professional skills. Internships failing to meet these objectives will not be approved.
Typically, the student intern will be a junior or senior working towards a major or minor in exercise science or applied leadership studies minor. The department expects the student to have completed the necessary courses to meet the objectives of the internship and possess the habits and motivation to benefit the sponsoring agency.
Successful completion of 32 semester hours overall (sophomore standing).
Internship requirements specific to Exercise Science (HES) and Applied Leadership Studies (LS) interns:
The internship must be at least 36 working hours per credit. Internships are offered on a credit/no credit basis only. Internship credits vary.
The student must complete a daily log (during a January, June or July term) or weekly log (during a fall, spring, or summer term) of internship activities (submit to the faculty supervisor within one week upon completion of the internship). This journal should include observations, responsibilities, resource materials collected, and recommendations associated with the internship.
The student must complete two typed reflection papers (mid-internship and post-internship) detailing and evaluating the internship experience (no more than three pages each). Submit these documents to the faculty supervisor at the midterm and within one week of completion of the internship.
The supervising faculty member may implement additional requirements deemed appropriate as part of the internship agreement. If so, these expectations should be clearly defined and included on the internship contract.
- Secure an internship site. It is incumbent upon the student to find his/her internship site; the supervising faculty member, and internship site supervisor must all be in agreement regarding the internship site.
- Select a faculty supervisor in the HES Department, obtain his/her approval for the internship, and let him/her know the number of credits you intend to complete for the term.
- Complete internship application via Handshake through the Career Center. Follow the directions on the Career Center Internship site.
- Complete your internship.
- Submit your hours log, journal, reflections, and any other agreed upon material to the supervising faculty member.
Students have completed internships with the following:
- WinnMed – Decorah, IA
- Decorah Chiropractic – Decorah, IA
- Gundersen Clinic – Decorah, IA
- Howard County Regional Health System – Cresco, IA
- Limb Lab – Rochester, MN
- Mayo Clinic – Rochester, MN
- Des Moines Veterans Administration Medical Center – Des Moines, IA
- Decorah Rehab Services (Gundersen) – Decorah, IA
- Nena Amundsen Lifetime Wellness Program, Luther College – Decorah, IA
- Luther College Sports Information – Decorah, IA
- Decorah High School – Decorah, IA
- Decorah Parks & Rec – Decorah, IA
- Luther College Athletic Performance – Decorah, IA
- Arkansas State University – Jonesboro, AR
- University of Iowa Strength and Conditioning – Iowa City, IA
- University of Missouri Athletic Performance – Columbia, MO
- University of Minnesota Athletic Performance – Minneapolis, MN
- University of Wisconsin Strength and Conditioning – Madison, WI
- University of Nebraska Strength and Conditioning – Lincoln, NE
“The health and exercise science courses properly prepared me for what it meant to be an exercise scientist. Starting with a proper grounding in an understanding of the human body building up to programming and working hands-on in the community. The program also prepared me for my current professional position giving me the skills and knowledge to acquire my strength and conditioning specialist certification and work as an exercise physiologist.”
Zachary Leris ’23
Discover Strength, St Louis Park, MN
Intern Dante Joseph ’18 (left), Adam Davis ’04 (center) Director of Applied Performance – Football, and Del Ciucci ’14 (right) Athletic Performance Assistant Coach at the University of Missouri.
Alex Jendersee ’20 shares information about the health benefits of various citrus fruits along with her internship supervisor Anne Blocker (dietitian, seated) during a health fair.
