What types of internships can students do?
As an employer, considering and understanding the types of internships: paid, unpaid, credit, and non-credit can be confusing. Policies on granting academic credit for internships can vary by academic institution, and even by major within the same institution. The following will help clarify how Canisius College handles the issue of credit and pay in regard to internships.
Pay vs Credit
- It is not always a one or the other option.
- Internships can be offered as paid and students can elect to earn credit at the same time (with the exception of accounting majors who cannot earn credit).
- Although it is recommended that students do internships for credit, it is an option and most Canisius academic programs do not require them for graduation.
- Whether the internship is paid, or unpaid with credit attached, the US Deparment of Labor requires that the internship be a learning experience with certain defined criteria. For example, interns should not replace existing positions.
- Paid, no college credit earned
- Paid, and college credit earned
- Unpaid, for college credit
At Canisius, student can earn credit provided:
- Student meets qualification criteria set by the student's academic department; GPA, class status, or prior course completion.
- Student's academic department approves the experience; there is a clear linkage to the student's academic program and learning, supervision and site is appropriate.
- Student successfully completes accompanying academic work assigned by the internship faculty supervisor, and the required number of on-site hours (Most programs require around a minimum of 120 hours for students to receive 3 credit hours.)
- A Learning Agreement is completed where all parties including employer, student, faculty members, and director of internships authorize approval.