Internships

Academic Internships

Earn academic credit for the time you invest gaining hands-on, professional training through a high impact internship experience.

Prepare for your Academic Internship

Students can earn academic credit for internships in most degree plans. These internships allow students to acquire field or on-the-job experience and are structured so that the students are encouraged to relate their classroom activities and learnings to their professional experience.

Interested in completing an academic internship? Reach out to The Internship Office today or attend an upcoming Information Session.

Curious about all of Southwestern’s internship programs? Attend an Internships 101 Information Session, hosted from 4:00 - 5:00 pm the first Wednesday of every month during the fall and spring semesters.

Can’t make an in-person session? Please watch the following video to learn more about Academic Internships and the application process.

Internships 101 Information Session Dates (All sessions are located in the Center for Career & Professional Development (CCPD) Career Cafe, Prothro #140): CLICK HERE TO REGISTER,

  • Wednesday, September 3, 4:00 - 5:00 pm
  • Wednesday, October 1, 4:00 - 5:00 pm
  • Wednesday, November 5, 4:00 - 5:00 pm
  • Wednesday, December 3, 4:00 - 5:00 pm
  • Wednesday, February 4, 4:00 - 5:00 pm
  • Wednesday, March 4, 4:00 - 5:00 pm
  • Wednesday, April 1, 4:00 - 5:00 pm
  • Wednesday, May 6, 4:00 - 5:00 pm

Planning to do an unpaid or low-paying internship during the summer semester, learn about the Funded Internship Program and application process at a Funded Internship Info Session.

Contact us or make an appointment

Academic Internship Application Process

SUMMER 2026 ACADEMIC INTERNSHIP ADD DEADLINE: Friday, June 26

STEP-BY-STEP APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

BEFORE THE INTERNSHIP: If students are interested in enrolling in an academic internship, here are the next steps:

1. Submit an Experience form in Handshake’s Career Center Experiences section.

2. On the Experience form, select “Academic Internship Application” for the Experience template.

3. For the term, select the semester in which you intend to complete your academic internship.

Please note: The Experience form needs to be completed all at once, so it is advised that students secure an internship placement, faculty advisor, and site supervisor, as well as determine learning objectives before beginning the form.

4. Students need to secure a faculty advisor from the department in which they are seeking academic credit. Faculty advisors are required to be tenured or tenure-track. Students should start this process early as they may need to contact multiple professors if their first choice is unavailable during their academic internship semester. 

If students are seeking academic credit from the Business Department for their internship experience, they should contact Professor Andy Ross, who is the faculty advisor for all business academic internships.

5. Confirm a site supervisor at the internship location. This will be the student’s direct supervisor working with them one-on-one as a mentor during their internship.

6. Determine their learning objectives. Students should consider incorporating the eight career readiness competencies published by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) into their learning objectives. 

Notes for students to keep in mind about their Experience form:

  1. Once the Experience form is submitted, if changes need to be made or additional information is required, the student will receive a notification in Handshake to make the requested edits and additions, and then they will need to resubmit the form. 
  2. Each Experience form will be reviewed and approved by Internship Programs in the Center for Career & Professional Development, the Office of the Registrar, as well as the student’s faculty advisor, and site supervisor.
  3. Once the Experience form is approved, the Registrar will enroll the student in the approved academic internship course number.

HOUR REQUIREMENTS BY CREDITS:

  • 1 credit: 40 site hours
  • 2 credits: 80 site hours
  • 3 credits: 110 site hours
  • 4 credits: 120 site hours + ePortfolio
  • 5 credits: 160 site hours + ePortfolio
  • 6 credits: 200 site hours + ePortfolio
  • 7 credits: 230 site hours + ePortfolio
  • 8 credits: 240 hours + ePortfolio, unless the student is doing a Psychology capstone

DURING THE INTERNSHIP: All internship site hours and tasks, along with the following additional activities, must be completed by the agreed-upon deadline in order for students to earn academic credit for their internships:

1. Students are required to submit weekly timesheets for all hours worked at their internship. These hours will be verified by their employer. There are exceptions to this policy for students participating in the New York Arts Program (NYAP), SU London Semester, or Texas Legislative Politics Internship.

2. Any additional activities required by the student’s faculty advisor, such as a journal, reflection paper, or periodical check-in meetings. The faculty advisor will provide this information in their syllabus.

3. Reflection poster (template provided) detailing the student’s experiences and what the they learned from the internship. Internship Programs in the Center for Career & Professional Development will assist interested students in showcasing these posters at the Research and Creative Works Symposium (RCWS) or the High Impact Experience (HIE) Poster Presentation. 

4. If doing an internship for 4+ credit hours (except Psychology capstone students), students must complete an ePortfolio. Nine required ePortfolio assignments will be provided, if applicable. 

5. Employer end-of-semester evaluation. 

6. Self evaluation.

International Internship

Students may receive funding through the Funded Internship Program if they are participating in an international internship that is offered as an approved internship abroad program. Students apply for programs through Via and must be approved by the Office of Study Abroad and International Student Services

International Students

International students (F-1 visa) may participate in an internship or training program only under  specific circumstances:

  • The internship or training must be an approved Academic Internship in the United States and the student must have approved CPT or OPT prior to the start of their internship or training. Students should consult with the Office of Study Abroad and International Student Services for assistance.
  • Or, the international student is participating in an internship or training program outside of the United States. In this situation, the international student is not eligible for the Funded Internship Program. To receive academic credit, the international student may participate in an approved international internship program and receive academic credit from a third-party provider (not directly from SU).
  • To receive academic credit for an international internship , all SU students may participate in an approved international internship program and receive academic credit from a third-party provider (not directly from SU). Contact the Office of Study Abroad for more information.