If you are thinking about doing an internship, check out some of the most Frequently Asked Questions below. If you have additional questions, please make an appointment to speak with a career coach in Handshake.
Does my internship satisfy the Augsburg Experience?
- If you complete an off-campus upper division internship for-credit that will automatically satisfy the Augsburg Experience graduation requirement.
- If you would like to use an internship not-for-credit to fulfill the Augsburg Experience requirement, please meet with Sandy Tilton in the Strommen Center prior to beginning your internship to have your experience approved and set learning goals.
Can I be paid for my internship?
- Internships done for academic credit may be paid or unpaid.
- Some internships that are unpaid may require you to take them for-credit.
I’m an international student, are there additional steps needed to register my internship?
- International students in F-1 status wishing to complete a paid off-campus internship opportunity, must register their internship for academic credit and apply for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) prior to beginning an internship experience. For additional information on regulations for Curricular Practical Training (CPT), please visit the International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) Employment page or contact an ISSS Advisor.
- Unpaid internships in your field of study can be used to fulfill your Augsburg Experience graduation requirement. Paid internships for credit will also satisfy the Augsburg Experience graduation requirement.
How am I graded on my internship?
- Internships may be graded on a Traditional or P/N basis. In some departments, internships are graded on the P/N basis only.
- At the beginning of the internship you will write Learning Goals to outline the academic expectations for the internship, this must be approved by your faculty supervisor. Most faculty require students to complete a daily/weekly journal, an extensive final reflection paper, a portfolio, final evaluations, and other assignments related to the major. The faculty awards a grade or pass based on how the student meets the expectations outlined in the Learning Goals.
How many credits can I receive for completing an internship?
- Students can receive 4 credits or 2 credits for an internship.
- The minimum hours for 4 credits is 160 (on average, 12 hours per week)
- The minimum hours for 2 credits is 80
- Internships registered for credit are counted in your semester course load, you can have up to 19 credits per semester without additional charge.
How many internships can I do?
- Student can complete up to 16 credits of internship courses to count towards graduation.
- A student may complete more than one internship at the same site if new learning opportunities are offered for each internship.
- Students can complete as many internships (not for credit) as desired.
When should I start looking for an internship site?
- Most employers begin recruiting one season ahead (ex. employers will hire at the beginning of fall semester for a spring internship).
- Some employers (particularly large companies) with competitive internship programs start hiring interns up to 9 months in advance.
- Check out our online resources for links to find internship opportunities.
Can I get academic credit for an internship I completed in the past?
- No. Academic credit is awarded for intentional learning achieved, not for the work experience alone.
- If you want academic credit, you need to register your internship at the beginning of the experience and work with a faculty member in setting up learning goals and assignments to complete during the internship.
Can I use my job for an internship?
- There are cases where a part-time or full-time job could be used as an internship. Prerequisites include:
- You need to have the opportunity to learn something new above and beyond your past responsibilities, you cannot get credit for work performed in the past. This usually means taking on an extra project or doing work for a different division.
- The work needs to be related to your major and/or career path
- Your supervisor must be supportive of this as a learning opportunity.
- The site must be approved by a faculty adviser and department chair in order to be considered an academic internship.
How do I know what course number to register for?
- Internship course numbers are based on if the internship is on-campus or off-campus, how many credits you are taking, and if it is a lower or upper-division credit.
- In most academic departments, students can register for either lower-division or upper-division credit for internships.
- Upper-division internships are closely connected to students’ majors and are done in the junior or senior year.
- Lower division internships allow for an academically connected career exploration experience during freshman or sophomore year.
| On Campus (2 credit) | On campus (4 credit) | Off Campus (2 credit) | Off Campus (4 credit) | |
| Lower Division | 198 | 196 | 197 | 199 |
| Upper Division | 398 | 396 | 397 | 399 |