Practical experience is one of the greatest assets of any professional regardless of career objectives. Supervised internship experiences provide an opportunity for students to synthesize, transfer, and apply learning gained through previous study. The purpose of the internship is fourfold:

1. To provide the students with opportunities to assess skills and competencies in leadership, supervision, administration, and consultation through practical application;
2. To provide the students with opportunities to develop career enhancing skills and interests;
3. To provide opportunities to field test theories, concepts, and philosophies developed through previous academic and other experiences; and
4. To provide opportunities to refine career objectives in the health fitness field, utilizing both personal assessment and evaluation by the academic institution and the practicum agency.

The BS Exercise Science Internship Program is coordinated by Cathy Roy, Ph.D. She works with the students and external facilities to place, oversee and evaluate interns. The internship is a 400-hour, 8-credit course of which students must meet eligibility requirements and apply for the internship before interviewing at an internship site. The student is assigned specific tasks and responsibilities and is held responsible for his/her completion of the field experience.

Examples of current/past student interns

Summer ?03
Dana Brittle, ProSpeed Performance Center
Carol Crank, The Gym, Fredericksburg
Cristan Wood, Henrico Hospital Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation
Garrett Green, Fredericksburg YMCA
Leslie Lineberry, Chippenham Hospital Cardiac Rehabilitation
Kristal Tinsley, Martha Jefferson Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation
Rigel Lockett, The Gym, Farmville
Maria Maculaitis, Kessler Medical Rehabilitation Research Institute
Kim Wood & Darryl Hampton, Lynchburg General Cardiac Rehabilitation

Summer ?02
Sara Beal, American Family Fitness
Lee Fisher, Bedford Area YMCA
Monique Hackney, Total Body Fitness
Shawn Hutchison, Lifetime Fitness
Cecil Pilson, Annapolis Gold?s Gym
Laura Whitehurst, Lifestyle Health & Fitness Center