It should be noted that some of these internships are pay-based, others are strictly voluntary requiring a sum of money similar to what would be paid in a regular academic quarter. In addition to the state and national internships, the department also has on file a listing of internships in the international arena. It is important to note that most such programs are very competitive because of the limited number of positions available. This is why any student who is able to land one of these internships will be highly regarded as a prospective employee by employers in the field. In short, competitive they may be, but they are definitely worth the effort.
Most students pursue internships for academic credit.
All academic credits must be pre-approved by the department, and the number of hours granted will be commensurate with the nature, duration, and demands of the internship program. All interns seeking academic credit must have their internship arrangement pre-approved by the department in order to ensure that the internship program meets the academic standards and criteria set by the department. The internship host should be able to demonstrate that the anticipated work responsibilities of the intern are of academic value and benefit, aimed at enhancing the quality and depth of the intern's understanding of the subject matter. Hence, it is in the interest of the student to check with the department before initiating contact with any prospective internship host for pre-approval. Every intern must be directly supervised by a faculty member in the department to whom the student will be accountable.