Internship Credit

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Internship credit is an excellent way to tie a professional experience with your academic career here at CU Â鶹ӰԺ. Internships for credit can help you reflect, gain skills and work towardÌýyour degree while gaining professional experience.

Before pursuing internship credit, consider the following:

  • You typically do not need internship credit in order to do an internship. If you need internship credit because your employer requires it but you cannot receive it through your department, see the CSVC 1000 information below.
  • Some courses will have pre-approved internship hosts while some courses will allow you to find your own internship host. You can find internships on Handshake among other places.
  • Most internship credit courses have prerequisites and are for upper-class students. Check with your department to make sure you can receive credit.
  • Internship credit will typically require 40 toÌý55 hours of internship work per credit.
  • All semesters will have strict timelines and registration deadlines and some internship courses are only offered during the summer. FindÌýthis informationÌýahead of time so you’re prepared.
  • There will be responsibilities in addition to the internship that may include research, papers, evaluations, in-class workÌýand out-of-class projects.

Departmental internships for academic credit

Academic credit varies by major in the College ofÌýArts and Sciences, so your ability to receive credit will depend upon your major(s), minor(s)Ìýand prerequisites already completed. Below are the list of departments that do offer internship credit. If you do not see your department, you should work with your academic advisor to see if there is another option.

Ìýis available to students in the College of Engineering and Applied Science as a free elective. Electrical engineering students can apply for up to six credit hours of technical electives for an internship.

All College of Media, Communication and InformationÌýstudents – except for those majoring in information science – can receive internship credit through the college. See complete information on theÌýCMCI internship website.

The College of Music provides internship credit via the Internship in Music Business course through theÌýEntrepreneurship Center for Music. There are also multiple practicum courses that are similar to internships. Meet with your academic advisor for more information.

Leeds School of BusinessÌýdoes not typically offer internship for academic credit for undergraduates. If you are required by your employer to receive credit, Career Services offers a course calledÌýCSVC 1000Ìýthat will be sufficient for your employer but will not count towards your degree.

The School of Law provides credit for substantive legal work through theÌýexternship program.

Alternative credit opportunities

If you are unable to get credit through your major and your employer requires credit, you can sign up for an extra credit internship class through Career Services,ÌýCSVC 1000. This is a one-credit, pass/fail class that does not under any circumstances count toward your graduation requirements. The only requirement for this course is that you must be enrolled in at least 12 credit hours during the semester that you participate in the internship (or for summer internships, you must be enrolled in 12 credits during the following fall semester).

For information on CSVC 1000, please contactÌýinternships@colorado.edu.

TheÌýÌýoffers internship opportunitiesÌýfor CUÌýÂ鶹ӰԺ undergraduateÌýjuniors and seniorsÌýto work for public and private organizations on projects that deal with Western topics and issues and offer professional training for the student. These three-credit hour internships foster students’ development as community leaders working for a sustainable West.

TheÌýCU in D.C.Ìýprogram gives CU Â鶹ӰԺ undergraduate students the opportunity to put classroom learning into real world action. Participants spend time living, studying and interning in the nation’s capital. They gain practical work experience by doing a professional internship in the daytime, and they continue theirÌýcoursework by taking CU Â鶹ӰԺ classes in the evening.ÌýStudents grow personally, professionally, and intellectuallyÌýand say that CU in D.C. is a formative and rich college experience.

Ìýprovides students with the opportunity to combine experiential learning and academic theory as a means to gain professional experience and to develop a new perspective on a career field. You will experience what it’s like to navigate work culture in your host country and have the chance to expand your international network all while earning academic credit.

Students who participate in the two-yearÌýINVST Community StudiesÌýprogram are able to access a community leadership internship for credit. This skills-training course develops students’ competencies as community leaders working for a just and sustainable world. Under the supervision of the instructor and a community partner, students learn organizational and leadership skills by serving as volunteer staff at community-based organizations. First-hand experience provides students with a deepened understanding of the complex issues facing humanity. Learners are exposed to solution-based strategies for positive change.

President’s Leadership ClassÌýstudents are required to complete one applied learning rxperience and the accompanying course during their undergraduate career.

Career Services is here to support you in each step of your career planning. You can attend a weekly workshop, ask questions during office hours, schedule an appointment and more.

Meet with Career ServicesÌýÌý