Internships

College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Effective 1998

Internship Policy

The Undergraduate Educational Policy Committee approved the following policy statement October 20, 1997: “All internships offered by departments in the College of ACES must be well-managed at the department level, and students should be registered for internships in such a way as to minimize any need to use EX grades.” This policy supercedes all previous policy statements relating to internships in the College.

Internship Guidelines

The following GUIDELINES are designed to assist departments in the development and operation of their internships. These GUIDELINES are not POLICY. Departments are encouraged to use, modify and adopt these or similar guidelines to help foster meaningful internship experiences.

Definitions:

Advisor - the student’s assigned academic advisor

Cooperating Employer - University, industry or government, agency, business or organization that has agreed to participate in the internship program and whose participation has been agreed to by the department.

Departmental Coordinator - department head or person designated by same, who coordinates activities of the internship.

Faculty Supervisor - faculty member who supervises the student’s internship experience. Such person should be knowledgeable in the area of work in which the student is gaining experience, and may or may not be the student’s advisor or departmental coordinator.

I. General Information

A. Eligibility - Each department should determine and publish eligibility for internship credit. Criteria may include class rank and grade point average, among others.

B. Course Prerequisites - Departments may establish prerequisites which are appropriate to the experience. Such prerequisites may vary within departments depending on the type of experience. When “permission of instructor” and “consent of department” are indicated, departments should develop clear and specific meanings for those terms.

C. Academic Credits -

1. Departments may establish maximum limits for internship credit. Student teaching in a teacher certification program is not considered as an internship and is exempt from these limitations. Each department should establish a formula to determine the number of credits awarded for a given experience. The credit should be commensurate with the student’s accomplishments and not merely length of time spent. Restrictions must be in line with Campus and College credit restrictions.
2. Repeating the internship course for academic credit is possible only with different objectives, and within the established maximum hours for graduation credit.
3. Credit earned in internships may be used for professional (those related to the discipline), elective or open elective credit.
4. Credit beyond any set maximum may be granted through a Special Topics course, assuming that an additional project, beyond the internship agreement, is undertaken and such project is consistent with criteria established by the department for such projects.
5. Credit should be awarded during the semester that the internship is completed. In many instances, that will be the semester following the on- site experience portion of the internship, when assignments are completed, and evaluation is submitted, and a seminar is conducted.
6. Credit for internships should be awarded in the department most clearly aligned with the technical content of the experience.

D. Grading - Each department will determine the grading system be used, which can be either S/U or letter grades.
E. Course number - Departments should use one number for internship courses and assign individual call numbers to participating faculty pervisors. For the convenience of students, the course number should be 250 in all departments.

II. Student Responsibility

A. Initiate Participation - Students should discuss their itention with their advisor at least one semester prior to the desired semester of participation in internship programs.

B. Consideration of Employment Opportunities - Students should obtain information concerning potential opportunities in specific areas of interest from the departmental coordinator, department or College placement officers, and/or faculty members. Internship opportunities identified by students will also be considered.

C. Preparation of Resume - Students should prepare a resume and/or personal data sheet to use in seeking an internship. Assistance in preparing such materials may be obtained from the placement offices within the College of ACES.

D. Determination of Specific Objectives - Students will assume primary responsibility to determine specific objectives of the internship in consultation with the faculty supervisor and cooperating employer, and will also identify activities that will relate to these objectives.

E. Procedures - Students will submit an application for internship participation to the faculty supervisor. Students will register and pay tuition and fees in the semester in which the internship is being completed. Students who participate in internships that take them away from campus for fall or spring semester (or both) should notify the Academic Programs office of the College prior to the internship to avoid being dropped from the University and having to apply for readmission.

F. Suggested Assignments -

1. The student will submit periodic progress reports to the faculty supervisor, with the number and frequency to be determined by the department. Students are encouraged to meet with the faculty supervisor to discuss assignments before they are due.
2. The student will submit a final report which is evaluative in nature and which makes recommendations for future internships. The report should be more than a diary of activities and should provide a thoughtful critique of the experience.
3. Additional assignments and/or specific on-site projects may be added for additional credit via a Special Topics course if such are consistent with the student’s program of study and philosophy of the major department.
4. The student will participate in a post-internship seminar designed for exchange of ideas and experiences between fellow interns and faculty members

III. Departmental Coordinator Responsibility

A. Implementation of departmental policies - Assumes primary responsibility for implementing those standards established by the departmental faculty (course prerequisites, minimum grade point average, credit-awarding formula, etc.)

B. Selection of students - Discusses internship concepts with prospective participants and works with academic advisors in selection of students for participation. Collects applications from students seeking internship experience and checks that appropriate prerequisites have been completed.

C. Maintenance of Memorandum of Agreement - Distributes necessary forms and maintains signed agreements for all participants. Signature of departmental coordinator assumes that departmental and college-wide standards are being met. Assures that copies of signed agreements are distributed to faculty supervisor and cooperating employer for each intern.

D. Program adjustments - Works closely with faculty supervisor and cooperating employer in evaluating and making necessary adjustments in the program as problems arise.

IV. Faculty Supervisor Responsibility

A. Identification of Objectives and Activities - Assists the student in identifying internship objectives that are consistent with the intention of the program and the student’s interests and capabilities. Identifies activities that are consistent with the objectives and are feasible at the selected work site. Indicates support of objectives and activities with signature on Memorandum of Agreement.

B. Supervision of Internship - Provides indirect supervision by reviewing progress reports that are submitted by the intern. Serves as contact person when cooperating employer finds it desirable to discuss aspects of interns program. On- site visit by the faculty supervisor is desirable whenever practical. May serve as project supervisor if student elects to take Special Topics course in addition to internship.

V. Cooperating Employer Responsibility

A. Approval of Objectives and Activities - Signature on Memorandum of Agreement signifies that stated objectives can be achieved and stated activities are feasible at the proposed work site.

B. Provide professional educational experience - Provide the opportunity for a student to receive a professional educational experience.

C. Evaluation - May assist the Faculty Supervisor in the final evaluation of the student’s performance. Takes under advisement suggestions made by intern in final evaluative report as to how future internships at the site could be improved.

To find an internship, check out ACES Career Services.

Forms

Download the Student Internship Application

Internship Policy

Effective 1998

The Undergraduate Educational Policy Committee approved the following policy statement October 20, 1997: "All internships offered by departments in the College of ACES must be well-managed at the department level, and students should be registered for internships in such a way as to minimize any need to use EX grades." This policy supercedes all previous policy statements relating to internships in the College.

Internship Guidelines

The following GUIDELINES are designed to assist departments in the development and operation of their internships. These GUIDELINES are not POLICY. Departments are encouraged to use, modify and adopt these or similar guidelines to help foster meaningful internship experiences.

Definitions:

Advisor - the student’s assigned academic advisor

Cooperating Employer - University, industry or government, agency, business or organization that has agreed to participate in the internship program and whose participation has been agreed to by the department.

Departmental Coordinator - department head or person designated by same, who coordinates activities of the internship.

Faculty Supervisor - faculty member who supervises the student’s internship experience. Such person should be knowledgeable in the area of work in which the student is gaining experience, and may or may not be the student’s advisor or departmental coordinator.

I. General Information

A. Eligibility

Each department should determine and publish eligibility for internship credit. Criteria may include class rank and grade point average, among others.

B. Course Prerequisites

Departments may establish prerequisites which are appropriate to the experience. Such prerequisites may vary within departments depending on the type of experience. When "permission of instructor" and "consent of department" are indicated, departments should develop clear and specific meanings for those terms.

C. Academic Credits

1. Departments may establish maximum limits for internship credit. Student teaching in a teacher certification program is not considered as an internship and is exempt from these limitations. Each department should establish a formula to determine the number of credits awarded for a given experience. The credit should be commensurate with the student’s accomplishments and not merely length of time spent. Restrictions must be in line with Campus and College credit restrictions.
2. Repeating the internship course for academic credit is possible only with different objectives, and within the established maximum hours for graduation credit.
3. Credit earned in internships may be used for professional (those related to the discipline), elective or open elective credit.
4. Credit beyond any set maximum may be granted through a Special Topics course, assuming that an additional project, beyond the internship agreement, is undertaken and such project is consistent with criteria established by the department for such projects.
5. Credit should be awarded during the semester that the internship is completed. In many instances, that will be the semester following the on- site experience portion of the internship, when assignments are completed, and evaluation is submitted, and a seminar is conducted.
6. Credit for internships should be awarded in the department most clearly aligned with the technical content of the experience.

D. Grading

Each department will determine the grading system be used, which can be either S/U or letter grades.

E. Course number

Departments should use one number for internship courses and assign individual call numbers to participating faculty pervisors. For the convenience of students, the course number should be 250 in all departments.

II. Student Responsibility

A. Initiate Participation

Students should discuss their itention with their advisor at least one semester prior to the desired semester of participation in internship programs.

B. Consideration of Employment Opportunities

Students should obtain information concerning potential opportunities in specific areas of interest from the departmental coordinator, department or College placement officers, and/or faculty members. Internship opportunities identified by students will also be considered.

C. Preparation of Resume

Students should prepare a resume and/or personal data sheet to use in seeking an internship. Assistance in preparing such materials may be obtained from the placement offices within the College of ACES.

D. Determination of Specific Objectives

Students will assume primary responsibility to determine specific objectives of the internship in consultation with the faculty supervisor and cooperating employer, and will also identify activities that will relate to these objectives.

E. Procedures

Students will submit an application for internship participation to the faculty supervisor. Students will register and pay tuition and fees in the semester in which the internship is being completed. Students who participate in internships that take them away from campus for fall or spring semester (or both) should notify the Academic Programs office of the College prior to the internship to avoid being dropped from the University and having to apply for readmission.

F. Suggested Assignments

1. The student will submit periodic progress reports to the faculty supervisor, with the number and frequency to be determined by the department. Students are encouraged to meet with the faculty supervisor to discuss assignments before they are due.
2. The student will submit a final report which is evaluative in nature and which makes recommendations for future internships. The report should be more than a diary of activities and should provide a thoughtful critique of the experience.
3. Additional assignments and/or specific on-site projects may be added for additional credit via a Special Topics course if such are consistent with the student’s program of study and philosophy of the major department.
4. The student will participate in a post-internship seminar designed for exchange of ideas and experiences between fellow interns and faculty members

III. Departmental Coordinator Responsibility

A. Implementation of departmental policies

Assumes primary responsibility for implementing those standards established by the departmental faculty (course prerequisites, minimum grade point average, credit-awarding formula, etc.)

B. Selection of students

Discusses internship concepts with prospective participants and works with academic advisors in selection of students for participation. Collects applications from students seeking internship experience and checks that appropriate prerequisites have been completed.

C. Maintenance of Memorandum of Agreement

Distributes necessary forms and maintains signed agreements for all participants. Signature of departmental coordinator assumes that departmental and college-wide standards are being met. Assures that copies of signed agreements are distributed to faculty supervisor and cooperating employer for each intern.\

D. Program adjustments

Works closely with faculty supervisor and cooperating employer in evaluating and making necessary adjustments in the program as problems arise.

IV. Faculty Supervisor Responsibility

A. Identification of Objectives and Activities

Assists the student in identifying internship objectives that are consistent with the intention of the program and the student’s interests and capabilities. Identifies activities that are consistent with the objectives and are feasible at the selected work site. Indicates support of objectives and activities with signature on Memorandum of Agreement.

B. Supervision of Internship

Provides indirect supervision by reviewing progress reports that are submitted by the intern. Serves as contact person when cooperating employer finds it desirable to discuss aspects of interns program. On- site visit by the faculty supervisor is desirable whenever practical. May serve as project supervisor if student elects to take Special Topics course in addition to internship.

V. Cooperating Employer Responsibility

A. Approval of Objectives and Activities

Signature on Memorandum of Agreement signifies that stated objectives can be achieved and stated activities are feasible at the proposed work site.

B. Provide professional educational experience

Provide the opportunity for a student to receive a professional educational experience.

C. Evaluation

May assist the Faculty Supervisor in the final evaluation of the student’s performance. Takes under advisement suggestions made by intern in final evaluative report as to how future internships at the site could be improved.