University Required Internship
Internship Guidelines and Structure
The Arc of Centre County, PA. Inc. is an advocacy and service provider organization dedicated to improving lives of persons with intellectual disabilities. Our mission is to embody and protect the human rights of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and practice person-centered planning which actively supports their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes.
The Arc of Centre County is funded in part under an agreement with Centre County through Centre County Mental Health/Intellectual Disabilities/Early Intervention-Drug and Alcohol Program Office and also through the generosity of the Centre County United Way.
The Arc believes in promoting interest and growth in the field of human services, and more specifically with working and supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Internships are designed to support this interest and growth and to provide undergraduate students with practical and professional experiences aimed at helping them to grow in to successful leaders.
The Arc’s Internship Program consists of a balance of direct service (please refer to our Direct Support Professional Job Description to learn more) to the individuals in their homes and communities and administrative experiences working alongside management personnel. This balance is derived from a split assignment and is based on a 40-hour work week. 19 of the weekly scheduled hours are a direct service and are the paid portion of the internship. The remaining 21 hours are scheduled to learn and complete administrative functions specific to the assigned department or program.
Internship applicants are asked to complete the appropriate employment application and interview requirements and will be selected for positions based on the needs of the agency and the qualifications of the applicant. Specific program assignments will be thoroughly discussed prior to the internship, but may occasionally be subject to change. Basic requirements for the internship position include: demonstrating proof that the applicant is 18 years of age or older; possesses a high school diploma or equivalent; enrolled in an approved undergraduate collegiate program with a major related to human services; possesses a valid driver’s license; provides flexible availability to include early mornings, evenings, weekends, holidays, and possibly overnights.