Candidates for licensure will be working with a practicing, licensed superintendent for a minimum of 320 total hours. The candidate and the University Supervisor will identify possible placements for this experience, considering the location and time available to the candidate and to the mentor or mentors. University of Minnesota Duluth candidates are also encouraged to serve additional hours in a situation of alternative delivery. The internship can be completed in one semester, or it can be completed over the course of two semesters. Based on the candidate’s self-assessment of competencies and record of successful coursework completed, the candidate, supervisor, and mentors will agree on a plan for the internship, identify projects and experiences for participation for the candidate in order to demonstrate competence against all standards, and sign an agreement of expectations.
During the internship, in the placement of concentration, the candidate will complete projects demonstrating knowledge and skill in becoming a leader sensitive to the needs of all constituencies. The UMD Internship Project will require that the candidate identify an underserved or disenfranchised constituency in the placement, research the history of the identified population, identify possible factors and complete further research to identify possible remediation for the situation. The required project will take the form of a paper or a presentation and will be delivered to the mentor and kept on public file at the University. In addition, candidates will complete projects addressing finance and budgeting, teaching and learning, human resources, politics, contract negotiation, strategic planning, communications, personnel, and school board relations as appropriate.