Course credit for your internship

How to obtain Academic Credit for an Internship?

Unpaid interns at for-profit organizations are often required to obtain academic credit from the university as compensation for their internship. In this case students can choose between the Career Development Center's Internship Program and Department Based Internships in the students major department. Both methods require the internship to be approved prior to enrollment in an internship course.

Career Development Center Internship Program

• Apply for academic credit through the Career Development Center Internship Program, an Internship Program for elective units. Primarily designed to serve College of Business, College of Liberal Arts students, and Film and Electronic Arts Majors.

Department Based Internships

• Contact your major advisor in your academic department to discuss possible internship courses or directed study options.

Components of the Career Development Center Internship Program:

Eligibility

• You must be a student in the College of Business or the College of Liberal Arts or Film and Electronic Arts Major
• You must be at least a second semester freshman and NOT a last semester senior
• You must be currently enrolled at CSULB and have a minimum GPA of 2.0
• You must enroll in an internship course the semester your internship is in progress.
• Summer interns must take their internship course in the following fall semester.
• International Students please review the Internship Procedures for International Students

Advantages

• Quality Control: All internships are approved by the Internship Coordinator to ensure a valuable work experience.
• Goal Setting: You and your employer will create a learning contract to define the outcomes of your internship experience.
• Evaluation: At the completion of your internship you will receive feedback from your employer regarding your work performance.
• Support System: You have access to the Internship Faculty Member, the Internship Coordinator, and the Internship Advisors to assist you with problem solving and communicating with your employer.
• Academic Credit: You will participate in an internship course and upon completion receive 3 additional units toward graduation. Upon request a letter will be generated to your employer stating your enrollment in the Internship Program and accrual of academic credit.

Internship Classes

The Career Development Center Internship Program Classes meet approximately 5 times per semester. The internship class allows interns to reflect and discuss issues occurring at their internship site and provides interns with structured feedback from their supervisor through a required evaluation and recommended regular meetings.

Classes for Internships

Course	Majors	Notes
CBA 493	Business Majors Only	Request internship approval and enrollment at the Internship Office.
EDP 492	For College of Liberal Arts Health and Human Services, and College of Education Majors	Request internship approval and enrollment at the Internship Office.
FEA 492	FEA Majors Only	Instructor Consent Required

Refer to http://my.csulb.edu for current schedule

Need additional assistance?

• Visit the Internship Office located in the Career Development Center (Brotman Hall 250).
• Complete our on-line Internship Program Help Form
• Drop-In advising is also available in the Career Development Center.

Enrollment in the Internship Program

In order to enroll in the Internship Program at the Career Development Center you will need to register for BeachLINK and submit an Internship Academic Credit Request. Below are instructions on requesting credit and the requirements for the internship to qualify for the program. All internships are subject to approval by the Internship Program Coordinator.

BeachLINK

Once registered for BeachLINK, login to your account.

1. Select "Profile" in the top left corner.
2. Select the "Placements" tab.
3. Click "Add New".
4. For Placement Type choose "Internship Academic Credit Request".
5. Complete the entire form including the Internship for Academic Credit section.
6. Once you have submitted your request the internship office will contact you within 3-5 business days.

Internship Approval

Internship Description:

• Internship positions should provide student interns with pre-professional activities similar to that of a new entrant in the field. The position should allow the intern to use classroom knowledge and provide hands-on experience.
• Positions must be directly related to a student's academic major and/or career goals.
• Clerical or non-professional duties must be limited to 20% or less of the overall tasks.
• Positions must be in a supervised environment.
• All internships are subject to approval by the Internship Program Coordinator.

Length:

• Typically, the minimum length of an internship is one semester. Internships for academic credit require completion of a minimum of 120 hours for 3 units of credit. It is important to negotiate the length of your internship in advance with your employer and be true to your commitment.

Work Hours:

• Students are recommended to work up to 20 hours per week at the internship site during the semester and up to 40 hours per week during summer, holidays and breaks. Each student and employer will work together to agree on a work schedule needed to complete the required number of hours. Scheduling may be flexible, depending on the needs of the student and the employer.

Paid or Unpaid:

• Internships may be paid or unpaid depending on the needs of the industry and other considerations. Usually unpaid internships are generally restricted to non-profit organizations and the entertainment industry.

Course Credit:

• All participants of the Internship Program are required to enroll in a Career Development Center Internship Course.

Permit to Register:

• Once the internship has been approved by the Internship Coordinator the permit to register for the appropriate internship course will be requested.

Letter of Credit:

• Employers often request a letter of credit from the university stating that the intern will be receiving academic credit for their work experience. This letter will only be issued once the internship has been approved and the student has enrolled in the appropriate internship class.

Intern Rights and Responsibilities

Interns are responsible for:

• Fulfilling contracted duties, time and duration commitments, and acceptance agreements.
• Conducting yourself in a professional manner, including maintaining cooperative relationships with internship program staff, completing required paperwork accurately and on time, and supporting and following program rules, procedures, and policies.
• Attending all weekly supervision meetings and required training meetings.
• Working within the limits of your skill and training and handling duties and employment responsibilities by consulting your supervisor and other appropriate personnel in a timely manner.
• Maintaining a daily log of hours as required by the internship program. Student interns must be employed for a minimum of 120 hours during each internship placement.

Interns have a right to:

• An accurate description of internship activities and time commitment that will be honored by the employing organization.
• Expect reasonable accommodations by an employer for documented disabilities in accord with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
• Have direct supervision and training by qualified personnel at the employing organization.
• Have any change in scheduling and work assignments clearly negotiated among you, the placement, and the internship program.
• Ask for a review by a supervisor of all completed projects as assigned.
• Know about safety policies and procedures in place to protect you. This may include, but is not limited to, such matters as handling of hazardous chemicals, earthquake procedures and evacuation procedures.
• Be safe from sexual harassment or discrimination.
• Have, in writing, employer policies regarding sickness, vacation, and personal leave.
• Have, in writing, established procedures through which complaints about the internship or organization personnel can be resolved.

Career Development Center Disclaimer

Career Development Center at CSULB itself does not control the way in which this educational opportunity is structured or operates on a daily basis. In granting recognition for this internship, the University affirms that, to the best of its judgment, the experience is an appropriate co-curricular option for students seeking work-related experience to enhance curricular learning, but makes no other assurances, expressed or implied, about wages, travel and living arrangements made by the student and employer.

The Career Development Center at CSULB does not knowingly approve internship opportunities which pose undue risks to their participants. However, any internship or travel carries with it potential hazards which are beyond the control of the University and its agents or employees.