The Boggs Center Interdisciplinary Traineeship is a flexible, individualized learning opportunity available to students enrolled in a degree-granting program at any institution of higher education in New Jersey. The traineeship can be tailored to fit internship or field requirements from academic programs and can be scheduled for a minimum of 40 to over 300 hours across a semester or academic year. No academic credits are available for participation in the traineeship. Stipends might be available, depending on funding.

NJLEND is a specific Traineeship experience at The Boggs Center open to graduate students, family members, practicing professionals, and individuals with disabilities who are interested health and health policy for children and adults with autism and related disabilities and their families. NJLEND is a structured, year-long training experience that includes a weekly didactic seminar held on Fridays from 9am – 3pm. On a case-by-base basis, LEND trainees might receive academic credit – or fulfill other requirements of their academic program through participation. LEND trainees receive stipends upon successful completion of programmatic requirements.

Yes. In order to participate in The Boggs Center Interdisciplinary Traineeship you must be a student enrolled at least part-time in a degree granting program in New Jersey. While the traineeship is geared toward graduate students, undergraduate students are also welcome to apply.

The main difference between the long term-traineeship and the intermediate traineeship is the time commitment each requires. The traineeship requirements and activities, as well as the student stipend, will vary accordingly.

The long-term traineeship requires a time commitment of 300 hours or more, generally spread across a full academic year.

The intermediate traineeship requires between 40-299 hours and can span one or two semesters. Summer opportunities might also be available on a case-by-case basis.

The traineeship typically follows the academic calendar, beginning in September and lasting either one or two semesters, depending on the type of traineeship. The Boggs Center may also be able to accommodate students who are interested in beginning a traineeship in January. Summer traineeships are possible, but opportunities for experiential learning are more limited during those months.

Not regularly. The Boggs Center operates during normal business hours, Monday – Friday, from 9am – 5pm. Occasionally, evening and weekend meetings or events might be of interest to trainees and can be attended as part of the Interdisciplinary Traineeship experience.

No.

No. While several of the required traineeship activities involve spending time with individuals with disabilities and their families, during the majority of the Interdisciplinary Traineeship experience, students will NOT work directly with individuals with disabilities. The Boggs Center provides community and student training and technical assistance, conducts research and model demonstrations, and disseminates information and educational materials – it does NOT provide direct services to people with developmental disabilities.

The traineeship is primarily focused on introducing students to policy issues, historical themes and trends, as well as systems and service considerations relevant for individuals with disabilities and their families.

Past student projects have largely centered on the development of written products and curricula. For example, a former health policy student created a policy brief about how the Affordable Care Act may affect families with a child with a disability. Given the nature of our work at The Boggs Center, it is extremely beneficial for potential trainees to possess strong writing skills and the ability to work well independently.

For a list of more past student projects, see NJLEND & Boggs Center Trainee Leadership Posters.

There is no Boggs Center faculty or staff who can provide clinical supervision for a MSW or PhD student. The Boggs Center may be able to accommodate a clinical MSW student by arranging for clinical supervision with an affiliated faculty member at the Rutgers School of Social Work, but there are not opportunities for sustained clinical interactions through The Boggs Center.

While transportation is not required to participate in the traineeship, it is very helpful for Boggs Center trainees to have access to a car for travel to The Boggs Center in New Brunswick, as well as to off-site meetings and events in other parts of the state.

NJ Transit trains and bus lines do operate in New Brunswick, near The Boggs Center, and can be a good alternative for travel to/from The Center.

Coming soon…