RPTM Internship: Frequently Asked Questions

Important Note: If you fail to meet the deadline date, you will have to wait until the next semester to complete your internship. If you need to know if an affiliation agreement exists for a specific agency, see our list of affiliated agencies by clicking here.

image of students planting tree

RPTM Students - (l.-r.) Jason Gueci, Sarah Frantz,Chris Stout, Kara Novagradac and Jason Wickrowski
leave Shaver's Creek Environmental Center something by which to remember them.

Do I have to pay tuition for the Internship?
You need to pay full university tuition for 12 credits in the semester that you complete your internship. Upon successful completion of your internship, you will earn 12 credits toward the total required for a Bachelor of Science Degree in Recreation, Park and Tourism Management. Tuition is used to pay costs for internship administration, staff support, materials, and faculty supervision associated with your internship.
I found an Internship agency, now what do I do?
a. Establish your start and end dates with your agency.
b. Fill out an Internship Site Selection Form (accurately and legibly), attach your 300 hour verification forms and copies of the front and back of your CPR and First Aid Certification Cards. Once you have done that, turn all materials into 801 Ford Building by the deadline. Then, sit back and relax. We will take care of the rest.
Where can I get the forms I need to fill out?
Go to 801 Ford Building and ask the receptionist or go to the Internship Handbook & Forms page.
What do I take to my agency to get the agency affiliated with Penn State?
Nothing. Once you have submitted the Internship Site Selection Form to 801 Ford Building, the RPTM Internship Coordinator will take the appropriate action to ensure that your agency becomes affiliated.
How and when will I know who my Penn State faculty supervisor is?
Faculty Supervisors are assigned shortly before you begin your internship; therefore, you will not know who your supervisor will be prior to leaving Penn State. When you arrive at your Internship site, there will be a packet of information that was sent by the RPTM Internship Coordinator to you in care of your agency supervisor. In that packet will be will be a note that will tell you the name and contact information for your PSU faculty supervisor.
I turned in my Internship Site Selection Form and I haven't heard or received anything. When & how will I get the forms and all the information that I need for Practicum?
All of the information that you will need while you are on Internship will be sent directly to your agency. There will be a packet of information addressed to you (in care of your agency supervisor) that will contain a welcome letter, faculty supervision assignments, and all of the forms that you will need. Just show up to your Internship agency on your agreed upon start date and ask your agency supervisor for the packet.
I forgot my Internship Handbook. What do I do?
You can print the Internship Handbook from Internship Handbook & Forms page or contact ProCopy in State College, PA and request that a bound copy be sent to you. ProCopy can be reached by calling (814)231-1256 (ask for the RPTM 394 learning packet).
I still have questions. How can I reach the RPTM Internship Coordinator?
The RPTM Internship Coordinator is Tammy Buckley. You can reach her via email at tbuckley@psu.edu, by phone at 867-1670 or see her in 805 Ford Building during office hours.