GVSU Professional Science Master’s Program Internship Description
Students in the Professional Science Master’s (PSM) programs at Grand Valley State University receive rigorous training in a scientific discipline while also developing business and professional skills which allow them to quickly integrate into the workplace and make immediate contributions. The PSM degreeis a two-year graduate degree which emphasizes the development of technical as well as written and oral communication skills, effective teamwork, ethics and professionalism. Graduates are prepared to fill a management need for technology-based companies, governmental agencies, and non-profit organizations. A key element of the program is the internship, where students spend ~440 hours working on a project (or projects) under the guidance of an internship site mentor.
How long is the internship Experience?
Students are required to complete at least 440 hours of internship. The internship experience can be completed on a single project or spread out over multiple projects. It can also occur at a single site or be split between two or three sites.
What are students expected to receive from their internship experience?
There are two primary goals for the internship experience. The first goal is to provide students with practical experience in their discipline. Spending time in a workplace setting allows students to apply their academic knowledge and see its real world relevance. The second goal is to expose students to the business and professional side of the workplace. The ultimate goal of PSM programs world-wide is to create the next generation of science business leaders, so it is essential that they learn both the science and the professional aspects of business.
What are the responsibilities of the internship providers?
Internship sites are expected to provide an experience where students perform meaningful work within their discipline. Interns should have an opportunity to develop their technical skills, preferably under the mentorship of someone at the internship site. GVSU faculty can serve as technical mentors in situations where one is not available on site. Interns should also have an opportunity to develop their professional skills – teamwork, communication, leadership, ethics, etc. – under the mentorship of someone at the internship site. At the end of the internship experience an evaluation form will be sent to the primary mentor so that feedback can be provided to the PSM coordinator.
Additional information about Grand Valley’s PSM programs can be found at:
- PSM program main webpage:
- Biostatistics Program webpage:
- Medical and Bioinformatics Program webpage:
- Biotechnology Program webpage:
Questions may be directed to one of the contacts listed below:
- Dr. Tim Born, PSM Programs Coordinator, 616-331-8643,
- Dr. Bob Downer, Biostatistics Program Director, 616-331-2247,
- Dr. GuenterTusch, Medical and Bioinformatics Program Director, 616-331-2046,
- Dr. Mark Staves, Biotechnology Program Director, 616-331-2473,
PSM Internship Request Form
Please submit this form with all of requested information to the PSM Coordinator (Tim Born, ) at least two weeks prior to the start of the semester. Please list only the primary supervisor’s information if you have more than on supervisor. Students are expected to work approximately 110 hours for each internship credit.
Student information:
Name: ______G#:______
PSM Program:______Email:______
Initial Semester of Internship:______
Internship start date:______Internship end date:______
Total # of Credits Requested for this Internship:______
Expected number of hours working on the internship:______
Internship site information:
Internship Organization:______
Supervisor Name:______
Supervisor Title:______
Supervisor Phone Number:______Supervisor Email:______
Organization Address:______
______
______
Signatures:
Student Signature:______Date:______
Supervisor Signature:______Date:______
PSM Coord Signature:______Date:______
Brief internship Description:
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