Internships

Applying Classroom Knowledge to Real Life Experiences

Internship Opportunities

WHY consider an internship?

• To gain valuable work experience.
• To explore possible career paths.
• To gain contacts and network with people and organizations who may help you in the job market.
• To enhance your resume.
• To earn academic credit.

WHO is eligible to do an internship?

• Students with a minimum grade point average of 2.0 (undergraduates), or 3.0 (graduates).
• Students in the latter part of their educational programs.
• Students in all divisions; however, students need to confirm with their academic advisor that they have elective hours available.

WHAT qualifies as an internship?

• Any work experience that is related to your educational and career goals.
• The key requirement is that the internship involve a NEW experience.   Students can earn credit for their current jobs if they are beginning a new project or activity.
• Internships may be part-time or full-time, paid or volunteer.
• Students must work 60 clock hours to earn 1 credit hour.
• Students may enroll in 1 (minimum) to 6 (maximum) credit hours per semester.  Graduate students must work 80 clock hours to earn 1 credit hour.

WHERE are internship opportunities available?

• Students may find an internship sponsor on their own, or the Internship Director can provide assistance in locating a sponsor.
• Internship opportunities are available in the Michiana area and nationwide.
• Internship opportunities are available in many professional areas including:  law, corrections, probation, education, health, community services, government, private business, and many more.

WHEN are internships completed?

• Because work experiences don't always fit in the typical academic calendar, students may begin an internship any time during the calendar year.
• Students may, with the Internship Director's approval, count hours worked four months prior to the beginning of the semester for which they are enrolled.

HOW do I earn internship credit?

THE PROCEDURE IS AS FOLLOWS:

1. Confirm with your academic advisor that you have elective hours available.  SPEA internships satisfy some of the 300-400 level elective courses required by most divisions.  The School of Public and Environmental Affairs will allow students to earn a total of 15 credit hours with a  maximum of 6 credit hours per semester.
2. Discuss your proposed internship with the SPEA Internship Director and and obtain necessary paperwork.
3. Prior to registering for internship credit, a contract between the sponsor (employer) and the student must be completed and returned to the Internship Director.  The contract consists of:

4. When students return their completed contracts, the SPEA Internship Director will give them authorization to enroll in V380 (Public Affairs) or J380 (Criminal Justice).   Graduate students enroll in V585.
5. During the semester, students submit progress reports, journals and supervisor evaluations (3 of each).  These forms are submitted after one-third of the clock hours have been completed, after two-thirds, and when the final clock hours have been completed.  Forms are available in the SPEA office and/or from the Internship Director.  In addition, graduate students are required to write a paper (approximately 10 typed pages) relating course work (e.g. theories) to their internship.
6. Upon completion, students will receive a grade of S (satisfactory) or F (fail).  A satisfactory grade is dependent on completion of the required hours and proper completion of all paperwork.  Students who have otherwise met the terms of the internship, but are unable to complete the required clock hours during the semester in which they are enrolled, may be given an incomplete.