Internships

What is an Internship?

The National Association of Colleges and Employers defines an internship as “a form of experiential learning that integrates knowledge and theory learned in the classroom with practical application and skills development in a professional setting. Internships give students the opportunity to gain valuable applied experience and make connections in professional fields they are considering for career paths; and give employers the opportunity to guide and evaluate talent” (2011).

An internship is a wonderful opportunity to gain first-hand professional experience outside of the classroom that supports your career goals and allows you to network with professionals in your field of study. It also creates opportunities to build your resume and earn credits toward your degree.

If you are interested in pursuing an internship, the University’s job board, ProfJobs, managed by the Office of Career Advancement is a great start.

Benefits of an Internship

Through internship opportunities, students can:

Gain insight into potential career paths.
Build valuable professional networks.
Receive academic credit that can help satisfy degree requirements.
Make themselves competitive in the job market by generating the necessary work experience for employment.
In some cases, secure employment within the same organization after graduation.

Internship Fast Facts

School of Professional Studies does not guarantee your internship placement.
Students are responsible for securing their own internship.
You must have earned at least 30 credits and meet all prerequisites.
You can earn up to siz credits toward your degree through the internship.

Next Steps

Receiving Academic Credit for Your Internship

Students must submit the Internship Intake Form and supporting documents along with an internship job description to your program advisor. After submitting the required documents, students will receive an email with directions on how to register for the internship course. Students must be registered for the internship course prior to the start of the internship. For a checklist of the requirements click here.

The internship course provides formal opportunities and guidance for students seeking to explore a variety of careers. It offers pathways for students to become re-skilled, re-trained and re-deployed for career advancement in the corporate, non-profit, and public sectors. The course will be offered annually. Some programs may require a two-semester internship where students can earn six credits toward their degree. To receive credits, the student must commit to a total of 120 hours at the internship site per semester which is approximately 10 hours per week.

The School of Professional Studies internship course does not meet in person, but may require class sessions on campus during the semester. Students will receive a syllabus for the course which outlines meetings and assignments to be completed.

The following assignments may be required:

Reflection Papers (3)
Elevator Pitch Statement Recording
Ongoing Hour Logs
Performance Evaluations
List of References
Revised Resume
Letter of Recommendations
Discussion Questions and Responses
Focus Group Reports
Observation Reports
Informational Interview
Electronic Job Search Exercise
Ethics Case