Internship

Eligibility: A student with a cumulative major GPA of at least 2.70 at the beginning of the junior or senior year may elect to pursue an internship course. 
 
The internship is completed through the following stages:

  1. Program Discussion: Potential interns (junior or senior majors) are advised on the nature and purpose of an internship. The essential point they learn is that there is a significant difference between the theory they learn in the classroom and the practice they will encounter during their internship.

  2. Internship Contract Signed: The next stage is to have a meeting with the organization that has agreed to provide the internship. At this meeting, the nature of the internship is discussed, and the student, the off-campus supervisor, and the 470-course instructor all sign the form. At this meeting, special details of the internship are agreed upon in the format of a contract between the three parties.

  3. Visit to Place of Work: At the time of the contract signing, or at a time near to this meeting, the 470 course instructor visits the place of work where the student is going to intern and checks that the environment is suitable and that the nature of the work and the place of work go together.

  4. Contact Off-campus Supervisor: Contact is established between the off-campus supervisor and the 470 course instructor to ensure that if any problems arise during the internship, there is a clear understanding of the roles each party will play in making sure that the student has a quality learning experience.

  5. Weekly Progress Reports from Intern: During the period of the internship, interns are expected to email the 470-course instructor bi-monthly to report on progress and activity. Students are expected to record their activities so that in the future they can review what activities occupied their time while they participated in the internship.

  6. Continuous Assessment of the Intern: Interns will be required to fill a logbook. They should record their daily activities and have their on-site supervisor sign it at the end of every week. Also, the off-campus supervisor will be consulted by the 470-course instructor one week after the be- ginning of the internship to make sure that the student successfully started her/his activities.

  7. Intern’s Final Report: At the end of an intern’s period of work, the intern is required to present a Report of Activity. This report is to record the activities that the student has completed. The program will provide a general template for the report. Students may add to the template. Once the report is submitted, it is reviewed by the 470-course instructor, and additions may be requested during an interview and discussion with the student.
     
  8. Final Presentation: The student must give a public presentation to the college about his/her experience. This may be done on-site, if necessary.

  9. Final Assessment: Students should obtain a certificate of completion/accomplishment from their off-campus supervisor at the end of their internship. The 470-course instructor then con- firms the off-campus supervisor’s assessment. After the student presents her/his findings and submits all the required deliverables, the 470 instructor submits the final grade of either Pass or No Pass.

Bi-weekly progress reports 30%
Work supervisor report 20%
Final Report 30%
Final Presentation 20%

  1. The student is limited to a maximum of 6 credits hours of internship. A maximum of 3 credit hours (taken in increments of 1, 2 or 3 credits) may be applied to the major electives. An additional 3 credit hours of internship may be counted towards a second major, minor, or as free electives.
     
  2. For the durations of the semester—16 weeks, students should work at least 2.5 hours per week (for 1 credit); 7.5 hours per week (for 3 credits); 10 hours per week (for 4 credits); and 15 hours per week (for 6 credits). A minimum of 120 hours is required for 3 credits, 80 hours for 2 credits, and 40 hours for 1 credit. For the Summer semester, a minimum of 25 hours per week is required (6 weeks).
     
  3. The college sets the standards for the internship and reserves the right to decide on the suitability of the work experience.
     
  4. The college may assist students to find suitable employment.
     
  5. Students are encouraged to find their own placements. However, the college must be advised before a student approaches a prospective organization.
     
  6. The 470-course instructor will visit the place of work where the student will be working to determine if the environment is suitable and that the nature of the work and place of work are in synergy.
     
  7. Contact will be established between the 470 instructors and on-site supervisor to ensure that if any problems arise during the internship, there is a clear understanding of the roles each party will play to ensure that the student has a quality learning experience.
     
  8. A placement is not secured until it has been approved by the 470-course instructor and the college, and the student has signed and returned the Student Internship Agreement.
     
  9. Students are required to meet with the 470-course instructor at least once a week to report on progress and activity.
Any student who is dismissed from his/her internship must notify the college immediately. Failure to do so within a reasonable amount of time will result in a failing grade.