FHSS Internship Office: https://fhssinternships.byu.edu/

The internship experience is beneficial to you as you determine the right career path and these experiences will give you the opportunity to gain new, marketable skills. Internships also provide students with a capstone opportunity to integrate theory, research, and practice through actual field experience. Of course, it is not necessary for you to be registered for academic internship credit for every experience you have.

If you would like to explore different opportunities available to you to gain experience, email the FHSS Internship Office (fhssinternships@byu.edu) to schedule an appointment with Alison Sondrup, Social Service & Community Internship Coordinator.

Who can do an internship?

Eligible students are those who meet the following 5 criteria: (1) junior or senior status; (2) have completed SFL 101, SFL 160, SFL 210; (3) have completed (or are enrolled concurrently in) at least 9 hours of SFL 300-400 level courses; (4) minimum 2.30 cumulative grade point average; and (5) be in good honor code and academic standing at BYU. If you have concerns about any of the prerequisites, set up an appointment with Alison Sondrup (alison_sondrup@byu.edu; (801) 422-3697) in the FHSS Internship Office to get some help troubleshooting your situation.

Why do an internship?

• It enhances your career opportunities and performance
• It can provide a potential job post-internship
• It benefits your own family
• It is a great learning experience
  

What Qualifies for Credit?

School of Family Life (SFL) Academic internship has the following general expectations for an approvable internship experience:

1. Students must have real, meaningful responsibilities (more than a receptionist, summer sales, retail sales, custodial, etc.)
2. Students must be mentored/supervised by someone with a college degree and experience in the specific field
3. Students must have the opportunity to gain new, marketable skills (not something they have already been doing for a year or more)

School of Family Life (SFL) Academic internships are NOT APPROVED for the following conditions:

1. Students supervising themselves, or being supervised by a student, or by any family member (including in-laws, stepfamily members, extended family, etc.) – students cannot receive academic internship credit at an organization owned or led by a family relation.
2. Direct Sales teams (Including independent contractors, recruiting, sales, presentations, etc.)
3. Virtual Experience situations (working/volunteering from your home on your own computer rather than going into an office or other work setting where you have the opportunity to work alongside others and have regular interaction with your mentor)

How do I obtain an internship?

1. Identify a potential internship site. You are responsible for securing an internship but it must be approved in advance of the experience.
   
   • Alison Sondrup (alison_sondrup@byu.edu; 801-422-3697) in the FHSS Internship office (945 KMBL) can help identify potential internship sites that meet the requirements of the School of Family Life. Please email to schedule an appointment: fhssinternships@byu.edu.
   • Also, you will be able to search the Internship database in Alison’s office for potential internship sites.
2. Once you have secured a potential internship, please click on the following link https://socialserviceinternships.byu.edu/index.html
   to start the approval application process.
3. You will be notified via e-mail when the School of Family Life approves your internship. Your e-mail will provide further instructions regarding what you need to do to receive university approval. This involves filling out an additional form.
4. Finally, after receiving final University approval, you will register for SFL 399R. You should plan on registering for 3 credits of SFL 399R  - in order to fulfill the department’s capstone requirement. If you want internship credit during spring/summer, you should apply for ‘sprummer’ credit that covers both spring term and summer term as if they were one semester.
5. SFL 399R requires at least 45 internship hours per 1 academic credit – so in the case of 3 credit hours, an intern would need to work at least 135 hours across a full 16-week semester. To meet the total of 135 hours, you will want to work about 10-12 hours per week minimum. It is important to note that some internship sites may require 15 hours per week for the internship to fully benefit you and them. rich opportunities for you.
6. Only 3 credits of internship can count towards your SFL major requirements, so it isn’t advisable for a student to try to sign up for more than 3 credits for one internship experience. The variable credit option is designed to accommodate very unusual circumstances (e.g., international status).
7. SFL 399R is primarily organized as an online class with assignments and Zoom class meetings that you will complete in conjunction with the actual work hours associated with your internship. Consequently, you will be required to pay tuition for the number of credits for which you register. Once you are registered and have Learning Suite access, you will be able to review the syllabus for details about the specific course assignments.

Can I get a grant as financial support?

FHSS Internship Grant: If you are an FHSS major and will be earning SFL 399 credit in a future semester, you are eligible to apply for financial support to help you during your internship. For more information and find the application deadlines, go to this link: https://fhss.byu.edu/grants.

SFL Mentored Learning Grant: Current undergraduate students who are declared majors in the School of Family Life (SFL) may apply for an SFL Mentored Learning Internship grant. Individual grants are available each academic semester (Fall, Winter, and Spring-Summer) during the academic year. For more information and find the application deadlines, go to this link: https://fhss.byu.edu/grants.

Have an internship to offer?

Companies, non-profit organizations, and agencies that wish to have interns from the School of Family Life should contact Alison Sondrup (801-422-3697 or alison_sondrup@byu.edu) for more information.

School of Family Life Scholarship

We are no longer accepting applications for the 2024-2025 academic year.

Instructions:

• Click on the link to download a fillable PDF of the scholarship application. SFL Scholarship Application 2024-2025
• We recommend that you write your essays using word processing software (not in the application). When your responses are exactly the way you want them, copy and paste them into the application.
• Once your application is complete, save a copy of the pdf using the save as option before trying to print. Be sure you rename the file.
• You MUST print your application in order to submit it.
• Submit applications in the SFL Office in 2086 JFSB.
• Applications need to be submitted by Friday, March 15, 2024 by 5:00 PM.

All applicants will be notified whether or not they were awarded a scholarship and the amount of that scholarship in May/June 2024 time frame.

SFL Internship Grants

Current undergraduate students who are declared majors in the School of Family Life (SFL) may apply for an internship grant. Individual grants are available each academic semester (Fall, Winter, and Spring-Summer) during 2022. These are competitive awards based on financial need, the quality of the internship, and the degree to which the internship helps support the applicant’s academic and career goals. Applicants must be in good academic and Honor Code standing with the university at the time of application to be considered for a grant. Students involved in field study experiences that are part of research in collaboration with or under the direction of a member of the faculty are not eligible for an internship grant. Students who have previously received an internship grant from the School of Family Life, or from the Fulton or Hinckley chairs may apply for an additional grant. However, these applicants are less likely to be funded. will only be considered for a reduced award and may not be funded at all.

Application Deadlines

Fall Semester 2023 – October 1 by 12 Midnight
Winter Semester 2024 – March 1 by Midnight
Spring/Summer 2024 – June 1 by 12 Midnight

Grant Criteria

1. You must be a declared SFL major. SFL minors will not be considered.

2. You must have been accepted for an internship before a grant can be awarded. However, you can apply for the grant while waiting for confirmation you have received the position from the internship provider.

3. The SFL internship coordinator must endorse the internship (see internship coordinator evaluation paragraph below), certifying that it will qualify for internship credit from your major department. Applications without this endorsement will not be considered.

4. You must register for internship credit from the SFL during the period of the internship.

5. You must be in good Honor Code and academic standing at the time you apply for the grant and during the internship.

6. You must complete the required report (see below) after completing the internship.

Internship Coordinator Evaluation

You must meet with the SFL internship coordinator before completing the online internship application. The internship coordinator will evaluate the quality of the internship and how the internship will contribute to your career and academic goals. Grant applications without the internship coordinator's evaluation/endorsement will not be considered.

Applying for the Grant

This is a competitive application with limited funds; not everyone who applies will receive an award. Thus, it is very important for you to make a case in your application for how your internship and financial need fit the criteria stated in the first paragraph above. All fields in the online form must be completed. Incomplete, missing or inaccurate information may cause your application to be rejected. Poorly written statements will also keep your application from serious consideration. Be certain to proofread your application, and make sure you have obtained approval from the SFL intern coordinator about the internship and the grant before submitting the application. Otherwise, your application will not be considered.

To submit a grant application for a Fall 2023 internship click here:
https://byu.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_38fCS68ZNVQW68K

To submit a grant application for a Winter 2024 internship click here:
https://byu.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0OD4jQcvVtsFy4K

To submit a grant application for a Spring/Summer 2024 internship click here:
https://byu.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cJ8L9W5iCXfsqns

Receiving an Internship Grant

Approximately a month after the application deadline you will receive an email from the SFL Office notifying you whether or not you have received an award. If you receive one, the funds will be credited to your University account during the semester in which you begin the internship. You must complete the internship designated on your application and be enrolled for internship course credit during the period of the internship.

If your plans change or you do not receive the internship, immediately contact the main SFL office at sfl@byu.edu

SFLSA Mission Statement:

“As the School of Family Life Student Association, we are dedicated to upholding the family as the basic unit of society and empowering our members with the knowledge, skills and connections needed to be an influence for good in the field of Family Life.”

Find out more about the School of Family Life Student Association at SFLSA.byu.edu