2021 Volume 18 Pages 132-141
In recent years, the number of Japanese universities that recognize internships as eligible for credit approval has been increasing, with many students participating in such programs. Additionally, the internships of university students studying sport and physical education are undergoing major revisions due to structural changes in the sport industry and other social developments. The aim of this study is to acquire the knowledge necessary for the internship programs for these university students specializing sport and physical education by verifying the effect of redesigned program in Department of Sport in a university for health and welfare. For this purpose, we tracked the process of redesigning internship programs, and extracted the perspectives required for the process of redesigning programs. Afterwards, the effect of redesigned program was clarified, taking into account the number of companies students participated, procedures selected by them, the area in which companies were located, and the main industries the companies belonged to. The findings in this study are as follows. First, the perspectives to be required when redesigning internship programs were social trends about higher education, the philosophy and policies of universities, economic trends, and needs of students. Second, proactive learning of students can be brought out by devising these programs. The results of the analysis regarding the efforts of students in the case study revealed that each student tends to choose internships in more companies, from more diverse regions and industries than before the redesigned program. Third, internship programs can play an important role in career support for students and in establishing new systems of industry-academia collaboration. To use this study as an example, the university has become possible to get various types of cooperation from the companies that student participated. On the other hand, improving the passive efforts of some students is essential. In addition, it is necessary to discuss about more effective program for student athletes. Furthermore, universities, faculties, and departments setting up internship programs have to respond flexibly to rapid economic fluctuations. At the same time, it is very important for them to clarify the unique competencies of the students studying sport and physical education.
