In most academic departments, students can register for either lower division or upper division credit for internships. Typically, upper division internships are closely connected to students' majors and are done in the Junior or Senior year. However, some students do an internship for an academic connected career exploration experience in their freshman or sophomore year. This type of internship usually receives lower division credit. Students can receive 1 course credit or .5 credit for an internship. An internship credit is included in the student's overall course count. Non-major, interdisciplinary Internships are also available. Contact Lois Olson in the Center for Service, Work, & Learning for a faculty sponsor for an INS internship.
Students cannot register for an internship on-line. To register for and complete an internship for credit, follow these steps:
1. You must secure a faculty member from the department in which you want credit who will serve as your faculty sponsor/supervisor. Discuss department criteria and expectations with the faculty.
2. Meet with the Internship Director in the Center for Service, Work, & Learning to complete the internship registration form and pick-up the internship packet and Learning Agreement form.
3. Discuss your learning goals with your faculty sponsor/supervisor and get his/her signature on the internship registration form.
4. During the registration period, drop off the completed internship registration form at the Enrollment Center/Registrar's Office. You may register for an internship late with the approval of the CSWL/Internship Director; however, a late registration fee may apply.
5. Prepare your learning agreement plan in consultation with your faculty sponsor and on-site internship work supervisor. (Assistance is available in the Center for Service, Work, & Learning.)
6. A signed learning agreement plan must be filed in the Center for Service, Work, & Learning by the end of the 4th week of the term (or within four weeks of starting the internship) or the 1st week of a summer Internship lasting only one summer term.
7. Complete your internship work requirements and academic "assignments". Most academic departments require an internship portfolio. Portfolio guidelines are available in the Center for Service, Work, and Learning.
8. Submit your internship portfolio to your faculty sponsor/supervisor at the end of the internship. The faculty supervisor will then complete an overall evaluation of the internship and grant the academic credit and grade.
On occasion, an internship may last longer than one term. After receiving approval from your faculty sponsor/supervisor to extend the internship, an "X" grade will be submitted by the faculty to indicate the internship is extended. The registration for the internship is automatically extended into the next academic term. Upon completion of the internship, and after the student has submitted the internship portfolio, the faculty sponsor/supervisor completes a grade-change form that is taken to the Registrar's Office.