WSSS STUDENTS & RESEARCH AREAS
INTERDISCIPLINARY PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE/INTERNSHIP (IPE)
A Partnership Among Tufts University's:
School of Arts and Sciences
School of Engineering
The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy
Medical School
The Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy
School of Veterinary Medicine
INTERDISCIPLINARY PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE/ INTERNSHIP (IPE)
To foster individual student development, a problem-solving, focused, domestic or international field experience with a public- or private-sector organization known as the Interdisciplinary Profession Experience (IPE) is required of WSSS students. The goal is for students to work in an area related to WSSS research topics to achieve more integration between education, practice, and research. Students and their faculty mentors, however, may find other IPE placements tailored to the student’s interests. Students gain professional-level experience, and may develop opportunities for future research and subsequent employment. To procure an IPE, students can either obtain one themselves or seek the advice of a WSSS faculty member with a similar interest; WSSS faculty have among them an impressive list of potential opportunities in a wide range of international and domestic organizations. A partial list is in the Appendix. Limited funding is sometimes available to support IPEs.
IPE requirements include:
• Total of 155 hours. Can be all at once or spread over period the student is participating in the WSSS program.
• Student and Organization must have a “contract” specifying purpose and location of internship, duration, number of hours, and intern mentor/ manager signed by student, WSSS School Coordinator, intern mentor/manager and WSSS Director. At completion, student submits documentation to certify completion that is also signed by intern mentor/manager and WSSS School Coordinator. Contract is in Appendix.
• Students’ prior experience may qualify for this requirement. These students should petition to WSSS IPE Committee via the Director. Examples include previous employment and the Peace Corps.
• Some existing internship programs (i.e. UEP track) will count for the IPE as they serve the same purpose. Decision up to WSSS School Coordinator.