Students

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 (National Association of Colleges and Employers - NACE).

Paid/Unpaid

Each internship experience is unique and many times the choice to pay or not to pay is determined by industry, company size and other factors. Some organizations will offer to pay a salary as well as airfare and/or housing while others will provide a “one-time” stipend at the end of the experience. It is important to remember that while an internship may not be paid, it is still one of, if not the best way for college students to gain real-world experience. So what you are not getting paid in dollars and cents, you are getting paid in the type of experience and professional skills that all employers are looking for once you graduate. It is also a wonderful opportunity to begin building a professional network for yourself, which is vital for your job search success.

Non-Credit

This option allows students who do not need or want academic credit to gain formal recognition of their internship. You can receive support and assistance in finding an internship through the Career Center. There is no limit for how many non-credit internships you can complete. You arrange this experience between you and the employer. A non-credit internship will not be recorded on your transcript. Nearly 91 percent of employers responding to NACE’s Job Outlook 2017 survey prefer that their candidates have work experience, and 65 percent of the total group indicate that they prefer their candidates to have relevant work experience.

For-Credit

This option allows students to receive academic credit for their internship. You arrange this experience with your faculty sponsor or department internship coordinator. For a complete description of the academic policy and procedures for obtaining credit for an internship, please read the Internship/Practica for Credit Policy section below.

Students wishing to obtain credit for an internship must follow the academic policy and procedures for these internships.

An internship is work experience undertaken for the purpose of learning in which the student assumes a responsible role in an organization and actively reflects on what the student is doing and observing. A practicum is an internship required by a major. Internships and practica are limited to full-time, degree-seeking students who have completed at least 16 course units in good academic standing or students enrolled through the Division of Graduate & Continuing Education. Internship opportunities may be found through individual department relationships with local organizations, the Career Center, or through a student’s own networking activities.

Working with a faculty sponsor or departmental internship coordinator, students will complete assignments to earn credit that compliment your professional experience. Internships for credit can be taken during the fall, spring or summer. Internship credit is typically counted as an elective. Check with your major advisor or program/department chair if you are uncertain how the internship credit will count.

Typically, no more than one course unit is awarded for each internship or practicum, and no fewer than 9-12 hours of work per week (Fall/Spring) or 126-168 hours per semester (Fall/Spring/Summer) are required for each course unit earned.

No internship may take place at the same site for more than two units. Students are expected to avoid conflicts of interest, such as direct supervision by a parent or supervision by someone who reports to or is a close colleague of a family member.

Internships and practica must be registered by the end of the third week of the term in which the work is recorded. For the summer term, internships and practica must be registered no later than a date listed in the summer academic calendar. The student will be billed for the credit earned. Internships taken during the summer for a Muhlenberg course unit will be subject to the tuition cost of one course unit.

The deadline for submitting final grades for internships and practica is that term's deadline for final grades. The course units for internships and practica cannot be awarded retroactively.

The internship or practicum on-site supervisor will submit a written evaluation of the student's work which the faculty sponsor will take into consideration when assigning a grade. The faculty sponsor typically evaluates a student's work in an individualized instruction course according to standards at least as high as those used to evaluate work in traditional courses. Internships will be graded pass/fail. (Internships do not count toward the three course pass/fail limit.) Practica must have assigned letter grades, A through F.

1. Complete the Internships & Practicums form and read the policy and instructions.

2. Working with your faculty sponsor or internship coordinator to identify the title of your internship, credit hours and details regarding faculty expectations for the student. This Internship Learning Contract describes the learning goals and what work will be done for each internship or practicum. Once you complete this form, it is sent via jotform to the faculty sponsor.

3. Discuss your learning goals with your on-site supervisor including the nature of the on-site work to be completed. Site supervisors will receive the Internship Learning Contract via jotform after your faculty sponsor signs the form. Once the site supervisor has signed the form, all parties will receive a copy via jotform.

Who can have an internship for credit?:

• • Full-time, degree-seeking students who have completed at least 16-course units in good academic standing or students enrolled through the Division of Graduate & Continuing Education. *exceptions to this policy may be approved by petitioning the Dean of Academic Life

How do I register for an internship or practicum for credit?:

• • Meet with your faculty supervisor and the internship site supervisor to complete this form from the Registrar’s Office.

When do I need to register for an internship or practicum for credit?:

• • Internships and practica must be registered by the end of the third week of the term in which the work is recorded. For the summer term, internships and practica must be registered no later than a date listed in the summer academic calendar.

How many hours is an internship or practicum?:

• • Typically, no more than one course unit is awarded for each internship or practicum, and no fewer than 9-12 hours of work per week (Fall/Spring) or 126-168 hours per semester (Fall/Spring/Summer) are required for each course unit earned.

How much does an internship or practicum for credit cost?:

• • Students will be billed for the credit earned.

  • Internships taken during the summer for a Muhlenberg course unit will be subject to the tuition cost of one - course unit.

How does an internship or practicum show up on my transcript?:

• • Internship credit is typically counted as an elective.

  • Check with your major advisor or program/department chair if you are uncertain how the internship credit will count.

How is an internship or practicum graded?:

• • The internship or practicum on-site supervisor will submit a written evaluation of the student's work which the faculty sponsor will take into consideration when assigning a grade.

  • The faculty sponsor typically evaluates a student's work in an individualized instruction course according to standards at least as high as those used to evaluate work in traditional courses.

  • Internships will be graded pass/fail. (Internships do not count toward the three-course pass/fail limit.)

  • Practica must have assigned letter grades, A through F.

How many internships may I take at Muhlenberg?:

• Normally, you may take only one internship during any semester or summer session except for internships taken as part of approved programs such as the Semester in Washington, D.C., Dana Scholars, and Study Abroad. However, you may combine an internship with an independent study/research project in a given semester.

• You may earn no more than a total of four course units through individualized instruction, internships, practicums, independent study, research, or special arrangement. These four course units are the maximum you may apply to the 32 course unit degree requirement (34 units if you matriculated before fall 2017), except as required by special programs.

• You may not use an internship to satisfy a general academic requirement.

Liability for an internship experience can vary depending on the circumstances of the internship. Normally when you are involved with an internship where remuneration is received, you are considered an employee of the organization with which you are interning. Employee status shields you from claims arising out of your assigned work. Internships where remuneration is not received fall into two categories: academic credit attempted and academic credit not attempted. Bodily injury or property damage arising out of an academic credit internship may be covered by a College-owned insurance policy, depending on the circumstances associated with the incident(s). Claims associated with individual student liability are not covered under College insurance policies. Students should consider obtaining a policy to cover personal liability. The College does not maintain any insurance coverage for internships without academic credit.

Students with disabilities and special needs have access to internships under the same guidelines and criteria established for all students. It is important, however, to discuss in advance any special arrangements or accommodations you may need with the Director of Disability Services so that your experience can be as positive as possible. As always, your documentation and diagnosis must support your request for any special arrangements or accommodations. Although Muhlenberg will endeavor to provide similar support and accommodations to those you have received on-campus, some sites may not be as accessible as others, and the support and accommodations may differ from what you have previously received. The accommodations should not compromise the essential elements of the experience, but should provide equal access to all facets of the program. In addition to working with the appropriate service provider at Muhlenberg, it is helpful to provide information to the faculty sponsor or department internship coordinator and internship supervisor regarding your special needs and the requested accommodations. Disability Services can provide a letter of suggested accommodations to assist in your discussions.

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 protects people from discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs or activities that receive Federal financial assistance. Title IX regulations require that each school subject to Title IX have a Title IX Coordinator. Muhlenberg College’s Title IX Coordinator is:

Lin-Chi Wang, J.D.

Director of Equity & Title IX Coordinator

lin-chiwang@muhlenberg.edu

484-664-3182

Discrimination on the basis of sex includes education or work opportunities given or taken away because of an individual’s sex or gender; when a hostile environment is created by another due to conduct on the basis of sex or gender; or when sexual harassment, including sexual assault, occurs.

Even though you may be off-site during your internship experience, because it is an academic program, we expect that all employees treat our students with respect and professionalism and to maintain a workplace free from sex discrimination. The same is expected of our students who are interacting with employees on an employer’s site.

If you have questions or want to report an incident that occurred at your employer’s site, you can address it directly with your onsite supervisor or the employer’s Human Resources office. If you are uncomfortable or hesitant doing so, you may contact the College’s Career Services or the College’s Title IX Coordinator for assistance. The Title IX Coordinator can work with the student to ensure that any inappropriate conduct that may have occurred at an internship site is properly addressed.

The College’s policy pertaining to Title IX can be found here.

Incidents can be reported to the College online here or directly to the Title IX Coordinator by the email or phone number listed above.

Workplace harassment takes many forms, this article tells you how to identify some of the most common ones

Most academic and administrative departments will sponsor internships. There are several ways you can go about arranging one.

Some academic and administrative departments (including Media and Communication; Accounting, Business, Economics and Finance; Political Science; Psychology; and Health Professions) have internship coordinators who will assist you in arranging an internship. They may be able to give you a list of organizations that sponsor interns and assist you in the selection process. Contact them directly.

If you are interested in arranging an internship with a department other than those listed above, here are some ideas:

• Contact the academic/administrative department in which you are interested. They may be able to give you some suggestions about possible internships and let you know who might be willing to serve as faculty sponsor or department internship coordinator. Many departments keep listings of internship opportunities.

• Talk to students who have completed internships in your field of interest. They may be able to give you valuable insight and information.

• Visit the Career Center: www.muhlenberg.edu/aboutus/careercenter

The Career Center is here to help you identify job and internship positions that are of interest to you. The Career Center is available to help with your internship search. The Career Center maintains a job and internship database through the system, Handshake, which can be accessed via your student portal or by visiting muhlenberg.joinhandshake.com. You can make individual appointments with Career Coaches about searching for internships. Additionally, they house many resources and guides on www.muhlenberg.edu/careercenter. The Career Center is located in the Lower Level of Seegers Union.