1. Why do I have to do an internship?

• To hone skills and grow in attitudes and soul health necessary for ministry (holistic: set goals in five areas: spiritual, ministry, discernment of call, leadership, self-care/life-stewardship)
• To reflect on what you have learned theologically
• To develop an operating theology to support your own practice of ministry
• To integrate what you have learned in your coursework experientially
• To gain understanding of the broader social context in which your ministry is performed
• Meets Min 7 requirement for M.Div.

2. How many internships are required for the M.Div. degree?

TWO (2) internships – FE1 and FE2:

• FE1 must be a nine-month, part-time internship in a church.
• FE2 is more flexible and may be done in a church, parachurch, hospital, hospice, prison, inner-city mission, etc. It may be nine-months part time or 10 weeks full time. Hospital and hospice are ten weeks with at least 10 hours/week contact time.
• CPE – accredited hospital chaplaincy program – 8 units advanced standing for FE2.
• A more complete list of internships is on page 8 of Intern Handbook.

3. When should I plan on doing my internship?

• After you have completed some courses that will provide background for the practice of your ministry specialization and for theological reflection on your ministry. It is strongly recommended that you complete at least 24 units (six 4-unit courses) of course work credited by Fuller before starting your internships. Special permission from the Office of Field Education is needed to begin an internship with less than 24 units completed.

4. When should I start looking for an internship and what kinds of things should I keep in mind?

• Start thinking about and looking for an internship right away and building a network.
• Look for an internship in an area you are familiar with so you can hone and build on skills you already have and assume some level of responsibility for the ministry tasks, but also in an area that enables you to grow.
• Look for an internship that will match your vocational goals and help you develop ministry skills you need for your future, and where you will be able to network with peers and mentors in your area of vocation.
• Find a supervising mentor who is theologically trained and committed to helping you learn and grow as a minister.
• Meet with a mentor/supervisor at least 1 hour/wk, one-on-one (required). See Intern Handbook and Supervisor Handbook for more details.
• Keep in mind Denominational requirements, if any.

5. Where should I look for an internship?

• If you already in a ministry position, find out if your current ministry could qualify as an internship.
• Get ideas from fellow students.
• Check with your denomination.
• Check the Career Resource Center website for ministry opportunities. Their website is www.fuller.edu/career/search/.

Note: Your internship may be paid or unpaid.

6. What kinds of internships will be approved for my degree?

• An internship where you are involved in hands-on ministry (not deskwork in a church office or research that is not immediately applicable to your ministry and/or overwhelms your responsibilities).
• An internship where your supervisor is:
• Theologically trained.
• Has at least three years of experience in ministry.
• Is committed to meeting with you once a week for mentoring.
• Is on-site at the church or institution where you work.

Note: Exceptions must be approved by the Director of Field Education.

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7. How and when do I start the approval and enrollment process for an internship?

Once you have found an internship and supervisor you think will qualify…

• Complete an internship application and supervisor application. You can download the handbooks and application forms from Field Education website, Vital Documents page.
• Submit your applications to Field Education and make an appointment with a Field Education Advisor by contacting the Office of Field Education by email or by phone: 626-584-5387. You will receive .pdf files of the syllabus packet when you make the appointment. You must have these printed out and available during your enrollment interview with the Field Education Advisor.
• The enrollment process takes 1-2 weeks for a standard internship.

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For all questions and appointments for Field Education, please contact the Field Education Assistant at 626.584.5387 or by email.