Requirements of For-Credit Internships

In order for an internship to be eligible for academic credit at UIS, it must meet the following requirements:

  • Internships must provide a learning experience, with the opportunity to apply knowledge gained in the classroom. It may not simply advance the operations of the employer, or be work that a regular employee would routinely perform.
  • Skills or knowledge gained from the experience must be transferable to other employment settings.
  • Routine feedback must be provided by an experienced supervisor (Field Supervisor).
    • The Field Supervisor should not be a member of the intern’s family.
  • There must be clearly defined learning objectives/goals related to the professional goals of the student’s academic coursework (will be developed in IPL300 course).
  • Resources, equipment, and facilities must be provided by the employer to support learning objectives/goals.
  • The internship must meet the minimum length and total hours requirements:
    • Fall and Spring – minimum of 8 weeks (average 15 weeks)
    • Summer – minimum of 6 weeks
    • All semesters – 50 work hours = 1 credit; 2 credits (100 hours) minimum
  • Students must be enrolled in IPL300 internship course at the same time as their internship experience to earn academic credit.
    • Note that regular tuition and fees will be assessed for this course.
  • A position may be a traditional internship, a part-time job, or a full-time job. Both paid and unpaid internships are eligible for academic credit.
    • In some cases, volunteer work may be eligible for internship credit if it is highly structured and supervised similar to a job.
  • Internship at Current Employer – students who already work in a role or organization related to their major/degree field may be able to earn internship credit at their current employer. Students earning credit this way must take on additional responsibilities, projects, or tasks in order to achieve a learning experience. All other criteria must be met.

Field Supervisor Responsibilities

  • Sign off on your IPL300 application. When you are ready to register for the internship course, you will need to fill out a course application online. Your Field Supervisor will be asked to sign off on your application to confirm that the information provided is correct.
  • Meet with you at least once a week to provide guidance and feedback, answer questions, and discuss challenges.
  • Participate in a Midterm Conference between you, your Field Supervisor, and your UIS Faculty Supervisor. This is usually a 30-minute Zoom call that happens about midway through your internship experience.
  • Submit an evaluation at the end of the semester (collected via online form).

If your Field Supervisor has questions about the internship process, please encourage them to reach out to OEL@uis.edu.

Next Steps

  • Start an internship search on Handshake
  • Schedule a meeting with OEL staff for questions about the internship process
  • Complete IPL300 application on EngageU (once you have an internship lined up)

Questions?

If you have questions or need additional support with finding an internship opportunity or signing up for IPL300, please email OEL@uis.edu or schedule a meeting with us.

What is Service-Learning Immersion?

A service-learning immersion course involves students becoming fully immersed in a service experience for a period of time. In the past, UIS students enrolled in the immersion course and earned credit for the alternative spring break service trip.

Can I use my current job as a service site for a Service-Learning course?

No. The purpose of Service-Learning courses is to provide needed service to the community, and if you are already working and getting paid at an agency, that need is already filled. You might be able to complete an Internship (for ECCE Engagement/Elective credit) where you currently work.  Contact the IPL office for more information.

Are Service-Learning courses required?

Service-Learning courses are not specifically required; however, Service-Learning courses can potentially fulfill either an ECCE Engagement or ECCE Elective requirement, depending on your major.

Do I need instructor approval to take Service-Learning courses?

Instructor approval is not required for most Service-Learning courses.

Are all Service-Learning courses the same?

No. Some Service-Learning courses are more general and focus on a broad view of service and leadership; the sites to choose from vary by subject area.  Other Service-Learning courses are issue-based, which means that the course focuses on one specific issue, and the service sites are related to that issue.  Other Service-Learning courses are project-based, which means that the service is not necessarily contained to one site, but may span across sites in order to complete a specific project.

What is Service-Learning?

Service-Learning is a teaching and learning method in which students provide meaningful service in the community to help them better understand what they are learning in their courses. Service-Learning focuses on critical thinking, problem-solving, personal development, and community responsibility.  Service-Learning courses typically require 40 hours of direct service to complement the coursework throughout the semester.