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What is an Internship?

An internship is a form of field-based learning in which students work in an organization outside the university, for which the university awards academic credit. During the internship experience, students gain the opportunity to apply the knowledge, skills and abilities they’ve developed in their academic disciplines, acquire hands-on experience that they can bring to bear in subsequent coursework and learn how to conduct themselves in a professional setting. Many students view their internship as a highlight of their college experience.

An internship is not merely a job. To receive academic credit for an internship, students must demonstrate that the proposed internship involves meaningful work with a high degree of educational value. In addition, they must show how the internship connects with their coursework. Internships exist for the benefit of students by contributing to their overall academic development (University Policy 2:24). Students should not expect to receive internship credit for their regular full or part-time job. By its nature, the internship experience varies in its particulars based on the student’s academic background, the industry the student wishes to experience and the site hosting the internship. Internships therefore require careful collaboration between the student, the site or employer and the student’s academic school or department. This collaboration helps ensure that the internship provides academic value to the student, benefits the employer and satisfies learning goals identified by the school and college.

Steps in the internship process

I. During the internship search process, please:

• Review the aforementioned information regarding internship at ������Ƶ and within COJO.
  • Forward list of duties/job description from the company to COJO professional advisor to determine acceptability for academic credit.
    • Please reach out to the COJO professional advisor, Erica Quam, OR internship coordinator, Jim Helland, with questions.
    • Please initiate the internship approval process as early as possible.

II. Steps to complete once a student accepts an internship position but before the job has started:

• Step 1: Initiate conversation with Quam to ensure internship is on track for approval.
  • Step 2: Quam will direct the student to complete the Seeking Approval for Internship Credit template via email to seek official approval.
  • Step 3: Quam will approve internship and include COJO program assistant, Tiffany Petersen, for the remainder of the paperwork before enrolling in the internship credits. 
  • Step 4: Petersen will send the student the COJO-specific Internship Application student information form that the student needs to complete and return.
  • Step 5: Once Petersen receives the COJO-specific student information application form, she will then work with the employer (via email and DocuSign) to finish the COJO-specific internship employer info form and legal form.
  • Step 6: Once the employer completes both paperwork items, Petersen will inform the student that they may register for the internship credits.  Quam will provide registration permission and assistance.   
    • It is the student's responsibility to register for their internship credits and adjust the variable credits as needed prior to the add/drop date in that term. 
  • Step 7: Student completes the internship!

III. Once the internship has started:

• You will have access to a D2L shell for the course – ensure you have access after registering for the course and once the term begins.
  • Review the course syllabus for learning outcomes, requirements, assignments and procedures. 
  • For questions during your internship, please contact internship coordinator, Jim Helland, and/or COJO professional advisor, Erica Quam.
  • Both the student and the supervisor must complete an internship survey that evaluates the internship following the conclusion of the internship.

Important links and resources

• Summer add/drop dates
• internship board
• options
• Office of Career Development

COJO Intern Spotlight

Internships are an integral part of the academic journey. These experiences allow students to practice skills in their chosen field, learn about workplace culture, network, gain confidence and so much more!


• Name: Alicia Garrow
• Hometown: Brandon, South Dakota
• Year in school: Junior
• Majors/minors: Public Relations with minors in Health Communications and Social/Digital Media
• Company and location: Social Media Intern Avera Health (Marketing), Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Alicia says: “I have been planning and creating social posts and analyzing performance metrics. Beyond social, I have been working on, writing pieces for the Avera Balance Blog, attending video shoots with the video team, writing internal communications news for Avera doctors and physicians, collaborating with community partners on upcoming projects and getting content at Avera events, such as building groundbreakings.”