Getting Started on Your Internship Search

What is an internship?

An internship is any agreed-upon experience in a work setting that is driven by intentional learning goals and accompanied by sustained reflection. The idea that it is a deliberate learning experience is what distinguishes an internship from a job. Both the student and the agency are involved in creating a beneficial experience for the student and the agency. Typically, internships correspond closely with the profession or area of work that the student is majoring in and/or anticipating as a career.

Experiential Learning Internships should meet the following criteria:

  • The student is provided a realistic exposure to what is involved in the career field.
  • The student performs substantive tasks which are of demonstrated educational significance.
  • The host organization benefits from the student's contributions whether it is in the form of a completed project or acceptable performance on the job.

Am I eligible for an internship?

Non-credit Internships:

Most students are eligible to complete an internship without earning credit. Any student interested in participating in a non-credit internship opportunity should meet with a member of the ELC staff to be sure that they are eligible to complete the internship.

Credit-bearing Internships:

Juniors and Seniors who have a cumulative GPA of 2.3 or above are eligible to complete internships for 1,2, or 3 credits per semester (maximum of 6 credits overall) for internships.

International Students:

All international students considering an internship or external summer research opportunity must contact Nancy Goulde in the Office of International Student Services to discuss their visa and eligibility before applying for the experience.

FORMS AND PROJECT WORK

Experiential Learning Contract

The contract defines the student's educational objective of the internship and outlines project expectations. In addition to completing the contract and obtaining signatures from the internship supervisor, faculty sponsor and faculty advisor, the student must also attach a one or two paragraph, typed description of the specific internship duties and responsibilities as discussed and agreed upon with the internship site supervisor. If choosing to do a non-credit internship, please submit a Non-Credit Internship Registration Form.

Log of Activities

This is a record of dates and hours worked and the activities performed. It is a useful tool to track internship hours required to earn the approved credit hours and is to be submitted to the Faculty Sponsor at the end of the project.

Written Report and Other Project Requirements

A reflective report articulating the internship experience and learning outcomes is to be submitted to the Faculty Sponsor at the end of the project. Any other project requirements (i.e. reflective journal entries, analysis of the organization, portfolio, oral presentation, related readings, etc.) specified on the Experiential Learning contract must also be submitted to the Faculty Sponsor at the end of the project.

Internship Supervisor’s Evaluation

An Experiential Learning Performance Evaluation Form and copy of the student’s approved contract is mailed to the internship supervisor by the ELC at the start of the internship. The internship supervisor should complete the evaluation and send it to the faculty sponsor upon the completion of the internship and no later than the last day of classes. Students are encouraged to seek out performance feedback from the internship supervisor.

Student Evaluations

The student is asked to complete a Student Assessment of the Experiential Learning and an Experiential Learning Evaluation, and submit both to the ELC at the end of the internship. The latter form is maintained in the ELC Resource Library for other students to review when looking for internship opportunities. Click here for Non-Credit Internship Student Evaluations.

GENERAL GUIDELINES

  • A student may earn no more than 3 credit hours for Experiential Learning in a semester.
  • A total of no more than 6 credit hours in Experiential Learning may be applied toward the degree.
  • Each internship under this program must represent a different learning experience.
  • Students who elect to participate in Experiential Learning must be registered for and maintain a minimum of 12 hours exclusive of physical education activity courses in addition to Experiential Learning. Summer projects and projects during the winter break do not have this restriction. The 12-hour minimum does not apply to qualified Prime Time part-time students.
  • Summer and winter projects can be up to 3 credit hours, and will be assessed a fee of $150 per credit.
  • Students participating in Experiential Learning are responsible for providing their own transportation to and from sites.
  • Experiential Learning must be completed no later than the last day of classes or the last week of the student's summer vacation or winter break.


Credit Guidelines

  • 1 credit hour = 42-48 hours per semester
    (i.e. 3.5-4 work hours per week for 12 weeks)
  • 2 credit hours = 72-96 hours per semester
    (i.e. 6-8 work hours per week for 12 weeks)
  • 3 credit hours = 108-144 hours per semester
    (i.e. 9-12 work hours per week for 12 weeks)

Students may request to change Experiential Learning credit hours prior to the last two weeks of classes the semester that the internship is taking place. The ELC has forms for this purpose; however, you must meet with Susan Perry prior to completing half of the required hours.

Grading

Students are responsible for identifying a Faculty Sponsor who will provide guidance throughout the internship, assign project requirements, and award the student’s grade and credit.

Experiential Learning Internships are graded on a Pass/Fail basis, and only one Pass/Fail course is permitted each semester.

All Experiential Learning project work must be submitted to the student’s faculty sponsor no later than the last day of classes.

Deadline to Submit Contract to the ELC

All completed Experiential Learning Contracts are due in the ELC by:

  • Fall Semester - May 1
  • Spring Semester - December 1
  • Winter Break - December 1
  • Summer - May 1

(NOTE: Employer deadlines may fall as early as January.)

These deadlines apply to all students, whether they have been studying on campus or off campus the semester prior to the internship. Students applying abroad are strongly encouraged to meet with the Internship Coordinator and plan future internships prior to leaving campus.

Project Approval

Approval of Experiential Learning projects is not automatic. The student, faculty sponsor, internship supervisor, and registrar’s office will receive approved copies of the Experiential Learning contract from the ELC within two weeks of the semester in which the Experiential Learning project takes place.

For a printable version of this information please view our Internship Brochure. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader version 5.0 or higher, which is a free download, to view this document.