Internships
All academic internships bridge theory and practice, purposefully connecting academic learning to experience. Academic internships enhance a student’s understanding of both themselves and a work environment and, in doing so, enrich their educational training.
In addition to work done at a business or other organization, each internship requires the formulation of an academic learning and application goal, career development goal, personal development goal, objectives and guided reflection through an evaluation plan developed in partnership with the faculty supervisor. This academic reflection can include, but is not limited to: goal- setting, reflection though journaling, portfolio development, peer-discussions, research, paper writing, and presentations. Similar to the traditional classroom, faculty members have the freedom to develop additional goals most appropriate for individual internships.
For each semester hour of credit, a student will complete at least 36 hours on-site and 6 hours of academic reflection. Registered internships are graded on a pass/no credit basis and are recorded on students’ transcripts.
| On-site and Academic Hoursper credit hour | |||
| CreditHours | On-Site Hours | Academic Hours | Total Hours per Semester |
| 1 | 36 | 6 | 42 |
| 2 | 72 | 12 | 84 |
| 3 | 108 | 18 | 126 |
| 4 | 144 | 24 | 168 |
| 5 | 180 | 30 | 210 |
| 6 | 216 | 36 | 252 |
The following policies also apply to students engaged in internship opportunities:
- A student may earn up to nine credits at the same internship site over a maximum of one academic year, provided that there is significant change over time in the duties involved or in the level of responsibility.
- No academic credit will be awarded for work already completed.
- Students must register for internships prior to either the start of work or the published deadline to add a course in the semester the internship is to take place, whichever is sooner.
- Summer internship registrations are due no later than the last class day of the spring semester.
Career and Professional Development provides assistance with site investigation, the application process, and guidance regarding evaluation. Internships are clearly invaluable in providing students with firsthand experience in professional work environments. For more detailed information and to search for internships go to Handshake and Career Development – Home (sharepoint.com)