Completing an internship during your time at CSP is a great way to apply what you have learned in the classroom in a professional environment. Employers have also indicated being more likely to hire someone with internship experience.
Use the information found on this page, or view this Internships for Academic Credit overview to help guide you as you prepare to obtain and complete an internship.
Ready to register your internship? Click Here! Please note, there is specific information you will need to provide when registering. Use this optional Internship for Academic Credit Worksheet as a guide (no need to turn in the worksheet).
Internships for Academic Credit Overview
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What is an Internship?
An internship is structured work experience that combines academic learning and career exploration directly related to your major field of study. You should be provided the opportunity to explore and apply academic theory in a professional work environment.
Internships bridge the academic world and the professional world, allowing you to apply concepts learned in the classroom to the world of work. Internships also provide a networking base, give you the opportunity to improve and learn new skills, and allow you to explore a variety of career options.
What is required to obtain credit for an internship?
Internship requirements vary by department, so be sure to understand those specific requirements. If your major requires an internship, or offers you to take an internship as an elective, that is considered an internship for academic credit. This means you will complete university assignments, have your site supervisor complete an evaluation, be given a grade, and the internship will appear on your transcript. Students obtaining an internship for academic credit pay regular tuition for the appropriate number of credits.
How many internships should I complete?
At minimum, you should plan to complete one internship during your college career. Internship requirements vary by department, so be sure to understand those specific requirements. Completing multiple internships will give you several advantages. Not only will you improve your employability following graduation, but you will also expand your network and increase your professional skills.
Will an internship improve my chances for employment after graduation?
Yes. In addition to valuable work experience, professional contacts and personal growth, some students are offered permanent jobs with their internship employers after graduation.
Will I get paid during my internship?
Internships may be offered as either paid or unpaid.
Am I charged to complete an internship for academic credit?
You will pay the tuition associated with the internship course credit.
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Will an internship affect my scholarship/financial aid?
You will need to maintain full-time student status for Federal and State financial aid in order to receive financial aid to cover your internship credits.
How do I know if my major requires an internship?
Check with your academic advisor.
What is required to obtain credit for an internship?
Internship requirements vary by department, so be sure to understand those specific requirements. If your major requires an internship, or offers you to complete an internship as an elective, that is considered an internship for academic credit. This means you will complete university assignments, have your site supervisor complete an evaluation, be given a grade, and the internship will appear on your transcript. Students obtaining an internship for academic credit pay regular tuition for the appropriate number of credits.
For each one (1) internship credit, majors require 45 hours of work. For example, if you plan to earn 8 internship credits, then you would need to work a total of 360 hours within that term/semester (this averages out to approximately 24 hours of work per week for 15 weeks).
Check with your academic advisor to register for the correct internship course and determine the number of credits.
Am I graded for my internship?
Grades for the internship course are PASS or NO PASS and are based on evaluations and assignments determined by your university supervisor.
How many internship hours are required per credit?
Below is a breakdown of academic credits and internship hours needed. Work with your academic advisor to determine how many credits are needed for your program.
Academic Credit(s) Hours per Term/Semester 1 1 credit x 45 hours= 45 hours/term or semester 2 2 credits x 45 hours= 90 hours/term or semester 3 3 credits x 45 hours= 135 hours/term or semester 4 4 credits x 45 hours= 180 hours/term or semester 5 5 credits x 45 hours= 225 hours/term or semester 6 6 credits x 45 hours= 270 hours/term or semester 7 7 credits x 45 hours= 315 hours/term or semester 8 8 credits x 45 hours= 360 hours/term or semester What coursework is expected as part of an internship?
All internship coursework will be available in your Blackboard course. Assignments consist of journals, reflections, pre and post-internship student evaluations, and mid and post-employer evaluations.
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Student/Intern
- Researches and secures an appropriate internship within the academic field.
- Registers for internship credits before starting the internship.
- Pays internship tuition and fees according to posted deadline.
- Completes all required activities designated in the Blackboard course by posted deadlines.
- Communicates in a timely way with site supervisor and university supervisor.
University Supervisor/CSP Faculty
- Serves as the instructor for the Blackboard course.
- Serves as a resource person who assists with problem solving and acts as a sounding board for new ideas and insights.
- Establishes due dates for the site supervisor to submit evaluation forms. Processes evaluation forms.
- Evaluates intern learning based on evaluations and Blackboard course assignments.
- Assigns and submits a final grade to the Registrar’s Office.
Site Supervisor/Employer
- Tells you how many hours you will work, the activities you will complete, and what you can expect to learn.
- Helps you learn new skills during the internship.
- Communicates with your university supervisor if there are internship questions.
- Completes the evaluations you provide at the halfway point of your hours (midterm evaluation) and at the end of your internship (final evaluation).
Academic Advisor
- Guides you in selecting the correct semester, internship course, and number of credits.
Career Development
- Can work with you during the internship search (i.e., resume reviews, mock interviews, search strategies).
- Assists employers to post internship opportunities.
- Informs students and faculty of internship opportunities, job fairs and events, etc.
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Click HERE To view all of our Job and Internship Search resources
How do I find an internship?
Start your search as soon as possible as many organizations post their internship positions 6-9 months in advance. After you have identified the type of internship position you would like obtain, update your resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile. If you aren’t sure what type of internship you are interested in, reach out to Career Development to schedule a career advising appointment.
When you are ready to start searching, we recommend the following resources:
- Handshake, CSP’s online job and internship board
- Professional association job boards
- Company websites
- Job and internship aggregator sites, like Indeed.com
Can I find an internship at a job and internship fair?
Yes! CSP Career Development participates in various job and internship fairs throughout the year. Please visit Career Development’s Upcoming Events webpage for more information.
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What do I do once I accept an internship?
Once you accept an internship, you need to register online for the internship course.
What are the steps to register for internship credit?
To register for your internship credit, there is a handful of information you will need to know about your internship site, including contact information and learning objectives. We recommend you complete the Internship Pre-Registration Worksheet to gather all information needed prior to registering online.
When you are ready to register, follow these steps:
- Complete the online registration form https://registrar.csp.edu/internship-registration-form/
- This form will be sent automatically to your program chair or university supervisor for approval.
- You will receive an email from the registrar to notify you when you are officially registered for the internship course. If you do not receive an email, please communicate with your university supervisor immediately.
- After registration, look for your XXX498 Internship course in Blackboard two weeks prior to the start of the term for requirements and assignments to complete in order to pass your internship credits.
Deadline to register: The last day to register for an internship course within a given term is the same as the DROP deadline for that internship course.
Before you register, you must know how many hours you will complete throughout the semester, and the average number of hours you will work per week.
How do I justify my internship learning objectives?
CSP has established three learning objectives that an internship for academic credit must meet. They are:
- Apply academic knowledge to a field experience
- Develop and strengthen skills for professional growth in the field
- Explore professional opportunities within the field