APK Undergrad Practicum

Practicum experience credit hours were created to provide Applied Physiology and Kinesiology majors with hands-on experience in their field of study. Practicum students maintain a part-time workload in a setting appropriate to their specialization. This practical experience provides students an opportunity to apply knowledge and skills attained in class to actual experiences.

Hours Requirements

For each credit hour registered, you must complete a minimum of 48 clock hours of practical experience. The number of clock hours to be completed is to be determined PRIOR to the end of registration (drop/add week). You will not be permitted to change the number of credit hours if the number of hours worked is greater than or less than the number of hours required. Retroactive credit for hours performed in a prior semester will not be approved, per department policy.

Practicum Approval Process

1. Find an APK faculty member willing to supervise your practicum experience.
2. Complete APK Practicum - Independent Study Contract with signatures of site supervisor and APK faculty supervisor. (Students are required to provide a copy of the Professional Liability Insurance when submitting the contract.).
3. Submit all materials to Lori Myers, room 100 Florida Gym no later than the first day of classes.
4. When the contract is approved, you will be given departmental permission to register for the course. The class number will be provided to you. It is your responsibility to register for the course prior to the semester’s drop/add deadline.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS: Please contact both your department’s academic advisor and your international advisor in the UFIC prior to engaging in any training or employment activity. Please note that training activities include but are not limited to fieldwork, volunteering, and internships.

• If you hold an F-1 visa, you may be required to apply for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) in order to engage in any training activity or employment. Please click on CPT to read the detailed information. Email your F-1 International Student Advisor to determine your eligibility to engage in the training activity or employment. Include your UFID number and information pertaining to the training/employment, such as the offer letter, in your email. Failure to obtain authorization to engage in a training/employment prior to starting the activity may result in a violation of your F-1 visa status. F-2 visa holders may not engage in any training activity or employment.
• If you hold a J-1 or J-2 visa, please contact your J Advisor regarding obtaining authorization to engage in any training activity or employment.
• If you hold any other visa status, please contact an immigration attorney to determine eligibility to engage in any training activity or employment.

Early Termination

Should you desire to drop the practicum course after registration (drop/add week), you must provide signed consent from your site supervisor indicating approval to discontinue the practicum (letter). Because early termination might adversely affect the practicum site, the site and your faculty supervisor reserve the right to deny your request to discontinue the practicum. Failure to complete practicum duties will result in a grade penalty.

Requirements & Grading

You are responsible for submitting the APK Midterm Practicum Evaluation Form and Practicum Final Evaluation Form by their due dates. These forms are to be completed by your site supervisor and submitted by the indicated deadline. Other requirements (daily log, paper, etc.) will be determined and assigned by your faculty supervisor. Upon completion of your practicum hours, your faculty supervisor will determine your final grade with the help of the evaluations from your site supervisor and other assigned requirements.

Please submit the completed practicum contract and evaluations to...

APK Undergraduate Practicum
Attn: Lori Myers, Senior Secretary
P.O. Box 118205
Florida Gym, Room 100
Gainesville, FL 32611-8205
Phone: (352) 294-1706
Fax: (352) 392-5262

Approved practicum sites

1) Dept of Aginig and Geriatric Research

Health Promotion Center and Aging
and Rehabilitation Research Center
Contact: TBA

http://aging.ufl.edu/research/ioa-health-promotion-center/

2) Oak Hammock’s fitness center

Mr. Justin Smith
352-548-1070
jsmith@oakhammock.org

Two practicum students per term (space available)

3) UF Health Fitness and Wellness Center

Mr. Traye McGehee
352-733-0834
mcgehc@shands.ufl.edu