WHAT IS AN INTERNSHIP?
An internship is an intensive, responsible work experience related to a student’s previous academic studies, professional and educational goals. Internships can be credit bearing or non-credit bearing. Non-credit bearing internships are not registered with the College but still must meet the requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act. All sites should review these, particularly if they would like to offer an unpaid internship, which is only permissible in certain circumstances.
Credit bearing internships need to meet the following criteria:
1) Be a unique experience to the student. This should not be a place where a student worked regularly in the past unless the student is able to demonstrate that the work will be significantly different or advancing on work from the past.
Examples:
- Working in a different department or taking on responsibilities not typically covered in the job.
- Completing an internship with the same department for 2 semesters, with the work of the second semester building on the first.
2) Be a primarily educational experience. Work assignments should be primarily instructive and support the learning objectives set out at the start of the internship, as described by the student in the contract.
3) Meet the criteria of the chosen academic program. Credit bearing internships are sponsored by a faculty member. The faculty sponsor must approve the internship and determine whether it meets the criteria of lower level or advanced level work in their discipline.
Student Eligibility
- Students are eligible for an internship when they have achieved sophomore standing or have completed two semesters at Wilmington College.
- They must be in good academic standing at the time the internship is approved and during the semester in which it is completed.
Credits and work hours
- Between one and six credits can be earned through an internship.
- Internships are registered by semester, following the same add/drop schedule as full-term courses.
- At least 75% of the work must be completed during the semester in which the credit is given.
- For each academic credit earned students must work 42 contact hours. For example the contact hours required are as follows:
- 1 credit = 42 contact hours
- 2 credits = 84 contact hours
- 3 credits = 126 contact hours
- 4 credits = 168 contact hours
- 5 credits = 210 contact hours
- 6 credits = 252 contact hours
- Contact hours consist of time actually worked at the site. Contact hours are not commuting time, lunch, breaks, background checks required prior to the internship, etc. They may, however, include assignments completed for the internship off site. A good rule of thumb to determine if time can be counted is that if the internship is, or was to be paid, contact hours would be the time for which the intern would be compensated.
What Does an Internship Cost?
Internships completed as part of a full-time course load (up to 18 credit hours) during the fall and spring semesters are included in the regular tuition. Summer internships are charged at the board-approved undergraduate internship rate.
Students who wish to apply financial aid towards a summer internship need to meet with Financial Aid to discuss their options and how this could impact their overall financial aid disbursement. Internship cost is for credit only and does not cover any travel, lodging, food or other expenses which may be incurred as a result of completing an internship.
Adding or Dropping an Internship
The add/drop dates for credit bearing internships are the same as for other credit bearing courses at Wilmington. Since the internship is an agreement between the College, student and cooperating site, it is important that the contract is approved by all parties before the student begins.
Late Add Appeals:
In the case of extenuating circumstances, students may appeal to add an internship after the add date. In order to apply for an appeal, students need to:
- Secure an internship.
- Complete a contract which has been approved by the faculty sponsor, faculty advisor and site supervisor.
- Complete and submit an appeal form to Academic Affairs. The appeal form is available at wc@home (Student Forms).
Dropping and changing sites
When a student drops an internship, the site may be impacted negatively. Sites have often dedicated staff to working with interns and have created a work-flow based on your participation in a project. Before dropping a site, interns should try to solve any issues around why you might be dropping first, particularly if it is related to performance or work expectations. Dropping an internship falls under the same policies and procedures as dropping a class. Contact your faculty sponsor to review the academic impact of dropping the internship and, if financial aid was used to assist in tuition payment, contact the Student One Stop to discuss possible effects on financial aid eligibility.
For more guidance on terminating your internship, see the Career Services Office.
Changing a site without dropping the internship
It is expected that students will complete their internship at the site which has been approved on your contract. If, due to extenuating circumstances, a student needs to change sites, they must contact their faculty sponsor prior to leaving the original site and starting a new site. Changes in sites are not automatically approved. If the change is agreed upon, you should contact the Career Services Office for further guidance.
Non-credit internships
Even though this internship will not be for course credit, it is important to submit the Internship Notification Form, and to complete the Internship Agreement Form so the College has a record of your experience that can be verified with future employers.