There are distinct differences between the two programs. You will have to extend your education to a five-year curriculum to accommodate an alternating schedule. Internships, on the other hand, allows you to earn academic credit and work experience on a semester by semester basis, and offer the flexibility that allows you to graduate with a four-year period. To benefit from these programs, you need to start with the end in mind, and decide which program is best for you. Even though both types of programs give you an edge after graduation, you need to judge the programs based on what you will get out of your participation.
Internships fall into two categories, academic and non-academic.
To receive academic credit, you must make sure that the work is associated with your major and that all parties, including the university, the employer, and you, agree to the terms. The institution usually determines whether your academic credit will be based upon a prescribed number of hours or post-internship reports describing your experience. You may receive relevant work experience, but no academic credits. Credited or not, internships have proven to be an important aspect of a sound education, a fact that Mark Oldman, co-author of two best sellers , The Internship Bible and America s Top Internships, can t stress enough. It is an essential component of your collegiate experience.