What is SUM’s Internship Program?

SUM’s Internship Program is structured a bit differently from other programs. Internship students have the opportunity to design, execute and evaluate a ministry program of their choice in collaboration with their internship leader. This allows them

Church Internship is a practical learning experience program for final-year undergraduate students involving hands-on ministry opportunities in the marketplace, mission field, and church settings, in fulfillment of the Great Commission and the personal mission of Jesus Christ in the world (Matt. 28:18-19; Mark 16:15-16; Luke 10:13; John 4:35-38; Isaiah 61:1-3; and Luke 4:18-19). In fulfillment of that mission, students are required to complete the Church Internship or Music Internship course during their final three (3) undergraduate trimesters.

SUM’s mission is to continue to provide hands-on ministry opportunities suitable to the call of God on each student throughout their SUM experience. During the Internship, the student will work alongside a leader who will mentor, guide, and assist the student in developing a Senior Year Project demonstrative of the student’s call of God and / or program concentration.

The student will select an Internship Leader who will assist with the planning, organizing, and development stages of the Senior Year Project. The Internship Leader will be responsible for supervising and evaluating the student’s attendance, preparation, and development of the Senior Year Project during each trimester. The student will submit the Senior Year Project in Canvas upon completion.

All students will submit the Internship Agreement Form, which outlines the expectations of the Internship Leader and the student and serves as an agreement to fulfill the requirements of the course. 

The student will show evidence of an organized documentation of the planning, organizing, and developmental stages of the Senior Year Project during finals week for grading by the Internship supervisor. At the end of the academic year, the student will publicly display the Senior Year Project for viewing and celebration. In order to accomplish these goals, the student will, at the end of each trimester, show evidence of the learning experience, involvement, and development of the Senior Year Project for grading by the Internship supervisor.

A student who successfully completes the Internship each trimester will earn one (1) credit each course which must be taken over three consecutive terms. The total credits to be earned throughout the Internship year is three (3) credits.

• Church Internship is designed for students in the final year of their studies who are registered for a Bachelor’s program at SUM.
• The student must have completed their second (2nd) year of studies.
• The student must have completed all prerequisite Practicum requirements (16 credits) 
• The student will select and work under a reputable leadership (pastor or head of department) 
• The student will provide the name of the Internship Leader by submitting an Internship Agreement Form .
• The student will, in consultation with the Internship Leader, propose, outline, describe, and develop a Senior Year Project demonstrative of a personal call to ministryInternship
• The student will meet weekly with the Internship Leader who will offer mentorship in the areas of the student’s calling and the development of the Senior Year Project.
• The student will submit all required course assignments to canvas. All BAWM students will perform a Worship/Music recital at ECO. 
• The student will publicly exhibit the completed Senior Year Project during finals week of the final (third) trimester for viewing and celebration.
• The student will submit a completed Internship Leader Evaluation Form (Canvas) (attendance, involvement, and development) of the Senior Year Project to the Internship supervisor or Cohort Advisor for grading.

Undergraduate students who undertake the Church Internship course at SUM should be able to:

1. Leadership: Develop, execute and assess a project in their chosen field of ministry.
2. Diversity: Understand through research and serve through a ministry project a specific demographic of people within their church or community.
3. Ministry Plan: Create a ministry plan that includes a mission statement, goals, strategies, budget and administration.
4. Ministry Mentorship: Partner with a seasoned ministry mentor to provide direction, insight and counsel throughout the development, execution and assessment of the ministry project.