If you’re looking to earn college credit for an internship as you kick start your career, or you’re hiring interns for your company, keep reading to learn how this all works.
How Many Credits Can You Earn From an Internship?
Depending on the school’s policy, students can usually earn between one and six college credits after participating in an internship. For example, if one college class at your school is worth three credits, you may be able to earn three college credits for a summer, fall, or spring internship, whether it’s on campus or off campus. You may have to request the college credit for the internship from your advisor, and also well in advance of when the internship starts. For example, when you register for classes, you may have to know if you will be working a for-credit internship as it would count as one class for that next semester.
For Credit vs. Not for Credit Internships
Your university or college will usually decide if your internship can count for credit or not. A for credit internship is exactly what it sounds like—you can earn college credits that will count toward your degree. On the hand, some internships may not be for college credit. This may happen if your college doesn’t believe the internship offers enough work or learning experiences to count as one class. The decision is based solely on school policy as well as the criteria of that student’s major, and whether or not the student has already participated in an internship and received college credit. If you’re on the hiring side of the internship, consider whether it’s smart to pay interns, offer credit, or both. You should also work to make the internship program a full learning experience so that students can walk away with the knowledge that will help them move forward in their careers.
How To Get College Credit for Your Internship
To receive college credit for an internship, you’ll likely have to meet certain guidelines for how many hours you must participate in the internship throughout the semester. For example, the University of Connecticut offers a one-credit internship course where students are required to work at the internship for at least five hours per week for at least six weeks. Students are also required to complete weekly assignments, mid-point and final evaluations, and a final project. To earn college credit, students need to work with either the department for their major or the general campus career center to learn about and receive internship credit. Because internships are considered learning experiences, when students take on unpaid internships, it only makes sense that they seek out college credit as a way to be compensated for the time they’ve spent and the work they’ve performed. Paid interns are also eligible for college credit.
