Off-Campus Internships

During year 3 or 4 of the program, students with a GPA of 3.0 or better may complete semester-long, IT-related, off-campus internships. These internships consist of a semester-long internship, worth two course credits, and a reading course worth one course credit.

The two-credit internship is considered to be a full-time work experience (at least 30 hours per week). Applicants assume most of the responsibility for organizing their internships. They will develop a thorough preliminary proposal, which is reviewed by their academic advisor and the Director of ITAP. Then, they must find a faculty sponsor willing to supervise the project and an off-campus internship host. The Director of ITAP will help to coordinate the placement of students. Applicants should contact prospective hosts only after their preliminary proposal has been approved by their advisor and the Director of ITAP. They must document adequate preparation for the internship, including workshops, resume preparation, mock interviews, informational interviews, and meetings with staff members regarding qualifications and internship opportunities. In addition, students must follow all procedures and deadlines for application and approval.

To ensure that students reflect upon and synthesize the work experience, an additional one-credit independent study or Web-based course associated with the internship experience and/or the student's major field of study is required. This course will require an additional 10-12 hours a week of the student's time.

Students approved from this program will register for UNIV 299 (2 course credits), graded on a S/U basis, and for an additional designated course in University Studies. In some cases, students may arrange to have some of the internship or the study course count toward a department major.

Procedures and Deadlines for Application and Approval