Additional Information

The College of Arts and Sciences Internship Office offers academic (credit-bearing) internship courses with the following course description:

An internship is a high impact learning experience where knowledge and theory from students’ program of study are integrated with shadowing, volunteering, or paid employment with a private company, not-for-profit organization or government agency toward the intentional development of transferable knowledge, skills and abilities and practical application of professional competencies.

The semester prior to the internship, Academic Career and Advising Center staff assist students with preparing their application materials and searching and applying for (program-related) internships within the local community, stateside or abroad, as well as in defining learning objectives, educational and career goals, and professional deliverables to be met throughout the course of training and practice.

During the semester of the internship course, under the mentorship of a dedicated professional who has the education and/or background and expertise of the students’ discipline of study, students immerse in a remote, hybrid or in-person professional setting.

Through guidance, support and regular feedback from the mentor and internship course instructor, students strive to satisfactorily learn and practice their internship position and achieve their learning objectives. Students follow a course curriculum including: 40 contact hours at the host site per credit hour registered; participation in classes, meetings or workshops as scheduled by the course instructor; timely completion of homework assignments in support of student learning outcomes, professional readiness and career exploration; and end of semester evaluations. Internships culminate in a letter grade determined by the above criteria. Written pre-approval of the internship by the course instructor and Academic Director required.

The CAS Internship Office further subscribes to the National Society for Experiential Education (NSEE) and National Association of Colleges and Employer (NACE) definitions of an internship.

NSEE: “A carefully monitored work or volunteer experience in which an individual has intentional learning goals and reflects actively on what he or she is learning throughout the experience.”

NACE: “An internship is 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.”