Internship preparation begins during freshman year. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with Career Services during their freshman year to discuss internship opportunities that align with their anticipated major. We utilize a career assessment platform called FOCUS 2, which provides career guidance to users through a series of questionnaires, and helps with major selection and career exploration. Students should review their assessment results with their academic advisors - and with Career Services - so we can create a holistic career readiness plan by the conclusion of the first year.

Career Services will further assist students with resume development and mock interviews, goal-setting, and career counseling. During sophomore year, students must complete XDPT103 - Career Pathways, a credit-bearing course that teaches a variety of career readiness skills. Once a major is declared, the student must meet with their faculty advisor to go over the internship requirements connected to their major. Students must complete at least 90 hours of work to satisfy the Academic Internship requirement.

 Students should follow these steps to ensure timely completion of the Academic Internship:

• Students must meet with their faculty advisor and discuss the internship requirements associated with their major. The student must verify the types of internships that are appropriate for their major, the number of internship credits required, and the student must decide when they will complete their internship.  Internships can be completed during the academic year or over the summer.

• Students must meet with the Director of Academic Internships to go over internship options.  In addition to providing career counseling, Career Services can help connect students with suitable employers, however, the student is ultimately responsible for finding an appropriate internship.

• After accepting an internship, the student must complete the internship approval form located here. The Director of Academic Internships and the faculty advisor will review the request and issue an approval or denial.  If the request is denied, the student will need to provide supplemental information and resubmit the request.  

• After receiving approval, the Registrar will register the student for the internship. The student is responsible for tracking their hours and communicating any issues to the Director of Academic Internships.  The student will receive a course syllabus and is responsible for completing any work assigned by the faculty instructor.

• At the conclusion of the internship, the student must submit their timesheet, supervisor evaluation, and any coursework assigned by the faculty instructor. The faculty instructor will set deadlines for all coursework.