Special Education Internship Program

Special Education Internships

The special education internship program provides graduates and undergraduates with a variety of experiences by allowing them to work with students with special needs in a special education setting. Interns are provided the practical application of theory presented in university classes as they work under the supervision of a licensed special education teacher.

Special Education Interns in the Bemidji Area Schools are placed at various sites in order to provide the greatest range of experiences possible. A fully licensed special education teacher of the employing district will supervise interns. An intern's hourly salary is at a level commensurate with paraprofessionals.

Criteria for Application

1. Undergraduate students who have completed or are enrolled in ED 3350 Pedagogy: Planning for Instruction, or graduate students currently enrolled in the BSU special education graduate program
2. Completion of or enrollment in ED 3600 or ED 5600: Study of the Learner with Special Needs
3. Minimum GPA of 3.0
4. Enrollment in at least one BSU special education course per semester while working as an intern

Time Commitment and Program Requirements

Minimum on-site involvement for the intern should be 2 hours per day or 10 hours per week, although they may be hired up to 7 hours per day. Hours are flexible, but students should try to develop a schedule that allows for consistent year-long participation in the program. Length of employment is dependent upon the school district's need and the University requirements.  

The schedule and responsibilities are determined during the interview with the Director of Special Education. Priority will be given to students with blocks of free time who can participate at least three days per week.

Application and Participation

Applications can be obtained from the BSU Special Education Intern Coordinator or Clinical Experiences Office, EA 319. Applications should be returned to the Clinical Experiences Office.

Contact Information

Contact the Clinical Experiences Office in the Department of Professional Education or Dr. Judy Olson for more information.