Internship FAQs

Internships are a structured, supervised work experience, providing the opportunity to link your academic experience with future career or vocational aspirations. An internship enhances personal, professional, and educational development, bridging the gap between the classroom and the “real world.” They also include learning goals and objectives, opportunities for reflection, and evaluations.

Internships can be paid or unpaid, part-time or full-time, remote or in person, and can take place anywhere in the world.

Our Career Coaches are here to help you tailor your search and refine your application materials! You can set up a meeting with a Career Coach on Handshake. You can also find tips and information on how to search for internships here.

In order to receive credit for an experience, the position must:

• Include meaningful work that focuses on developing skills, knowledge, and abilities applicable to future career or academic pursuits
• Have a position description with clear responsibilities and defined learning objectives supportive of your career and/or academic program goals
• Take place at an established organization, non-profit, agency, business, etc.
• Not be one of the following:
  • Independent contractor (1099)
  • Freelance worker
  • Multi-level marketing (MLM), direct sales, or door-to-door sales position
• Include a supervisor (on site or remote) with regular check-in meetings to discuss progress toward work, review internship goals, and write a final evaluation
• Take place during an academic term and have a defined beginning and end date

Yes, as long as it meets the criteria for an internship (see above).

There are multiple reasons you may want to register your internship:

• Registered internships appear on your official academic transcript
• You may be able to receive academic credit for your experience
• You will have an opportunity to thoughtfully reflect on your internship experience
• You will receive additional support from Augustana throughout your internship
• If you are an international student, you MUST register your internship if it is off campus and in the U.S.

You’re eligible to register an internship if:

• You have completed at least one semester at Augustana
• You have at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA
• You are a full time, degree seeking student at the time of your internship

All internships (EXCEPT Education majors completing their student teaching) are registered through the Assistant Director of Internships in CORE. You can set up an internship registration meeting on Handshake. Internships are not registered on Arches.

All internship registration procedures can be found here.

When you set up your internship registration meeting, you’ll be asked for your internship title, address/location, and your supervisor or recruiter’s name and email.

As part of the internship verification process, you will need to bring one of the following to your meeting:

• Your offer letter on company letterhead outlining the position responsibilities
• The position description from a verified source (e.g., company website, Indeed, LinkedIn, Handshake)
• A confirmation email from an official organization email address (not a personal email account)

You can find all the registration procedures here.

Internships must be registered by the published add deadlines in the Academic Calendar. Registration deadlines are firm.

Yes! Internships can be registered for 0-12 credits. Internship credits are 300 level electives.

0, .25, and 1 credit internships require at least 40 internship work hours; internships taken for more than 1 credit require an additional 35-40 hours per credit awarded.

In some cases, internship credits can be used as an elective course for your major. Talk with your Academic Advisor to see if this is an option for you.

You are NOT able to get credit for an internship that occurred in the past. Internships must occur during the term they are registered for.

If taken during the academic year, credits included with your regular tuition can include internship credits. If your internship credits take you over your maximum credits allowed are subject to overload fees.

If taken during the summer, the current summer internship credit tuition rate is charged. Summer tuition is not covered by financial aid.

There is no charge for 0 or .25 credit internships, either during the academic year or during the summer. Overload fees are not charged for .25 credit internships. Students are limited to three .25 credit internships during their time at Augustana.

If your internship takes place off campus in the United States (including remote positions), you must obtain Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Work Authorization before you can start your internship. You will need to apply for CPT in the Office for International Student Scholar Services (OISSS) after you have registered your internship.

To qualify for CPT:

• Your internship needs to be registered for at least .25 credit
• You must have completed at least one academic year at a SEVIS affiliated college/university (one semester must have been completed at Augustana)
• Your internship position description must DIRECTLY relate to your academic major
• You must have a letter of employment

Full details about CPT can be found here.

Yes! Augie Choice can be used to support your internship, even if it is paid. You can learn more about Augie Choice here.