ACADEMIC INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
Overview
Spotlight on Interns
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Bryant University offers eligible juniors and seniors an opportunity to earn academic credit by combining significant work experience with academic study. Such opportunities recognize the value of work experience and critical reflection as an important avenue for learning. Internships and practicum are approved by the Academic Department Chairpersons with organizations representing a variety of industries and career opportunities.
Types of Internships
The advantages of an academic internship:
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career-related employment that complements current academic studies
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opportunity to investigate a career field of interest
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valuable work experience
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a professional network and possible mentors
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3 credits supervised and graded by a Bryant University faculty member
An academic internship (Course code: 391 or 491) is a three credit elective course in either a concentration, minor or general business area of study which provides a professional work experience. A faculty supervisor will create an academic learning assignment with the student, monitor the internship, and assign a grade.
A general business practicum (Course code: BUS491) provides eligible seniors the opportunity to work and study in a business, educational, or private institution, earning from six to nine credit hours, depending on the academic nature of the effort and time committed to the practicum. Students develop a major research project which is monitored by a faculty supervisor.
Additional details are available in the Academic Internship Guidebook.
Special Academic Internship Programs
European Study Abroad (EUSA) London
A ten week summer program providing a living, learning and professional working experience in London. The program includes a supervised internship (3 credits); a course taught in London by a Bryant professor (3 credits) and opportunities to explore London, as well as travel in Europe. Internship and housing is provided. Eligibility: Junior standing, overall GPA of 2.5 or higher. For program guidelines click here.
EUSA Enrollment Form to be completed with an academic advisor in the Undergraduate Advising Office.
The Washington Center (TWC)
A full-time internship and seminar program offered each semester in DC. Previous students have worked in the White House, Environmental Protection Agency and a Lobbying consultant firm. Interested sophomores, juniors and seniors should attend to prepare for the enrollment process which is very aggressive. Eligible students can earn up to 15 credits for one semester by living, learning and working in DC. Internship and housing is provided. Eligibility: Junior or Senior status, overall GPA: 2.75 or higher. For program guidelines click here.
TWC Enrollment Form to be completed with an academic advisor in the Undergraduate Advising Office.
Eligibility Requirements
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Students must be a junior or senior having completed departmental prerequisites within the concentration, minor or degree area of study for Internship 391 course as stated in the Undergraduate Course Catalog. (linked to 2002-2003 edition)
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Students must have a minimum cumulative, and concentration GPA of 2.0. For Finance 391, students must possess a minimum cumulative and concentration GPA of 2.5.
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Transfer students must have completed one full semester to establish a GPA and prerequisite coursework prior to applying for an internship.
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Students must also attend a Mandatory Orientation to Academic Internships.
Internship Policy
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All internship opportunities must be approved by the Academic Department Chairperson or their designee through the Office of Career Services prior to starting the internship.
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A maximum of nine credit hours of any combination of internships and practicum may be applied to fulfill degree requirements; a maximum of three credit hours may be applied to fulfill requirements in a concentration.
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Student must complete a minimum of 120 hours for each academic internship worked over a period of 10-12 weeks.
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An academic internship within a student's family business is not permitted.
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Students will not be given credit for current or past jobs.
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Eligible students must obtain an Academic Internship Enrollment Form from an Academic Advisor in the Undergraduate Advising Office by the deadline established each semester.
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Students must secure a faculty advisor who is a full-time, tenure track, professor from the discipline for which the internship is approved.
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Academic internships may be unpaid, paid or offer a stipend as determined by the employer.
Approval of Academic Internships
Pre-approved: Internships are listed on the Bryant Career Connection (BCC) in the jobs/internship section which have been approved by the appropriate Academic Department Chairperson.
Proposal: Internships found by using a variety of resources may be presented to the Academic Internship Coordinator for approval by the appropriate Academic Department Chair. The employer must complete an Internship Data Sheet and include a comprehensive job or project description. The Internship Data Sheet along with an Employer Brochure is available in the Amica Center for Career Education for students to obtain.
Timeline for Successful Internship Search
Preparation one semester PRIOR to the Internship start date - 2008-2009
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Attend one Mandatory Orientation to Academic Internships conducted at various times and days during the fall and spring semesters. Log in to Bryant Career Connection (BCC) Calendar for schedule.
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Set an internship goal based on self-assessment and career research.
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Obtain an Academic Internship Enrollment Form from an Academic Advisor in the Undergraduate Advising Office.
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Write a powerful resume, a dynamic cover letter and have confidence in your interviewing skills. Attend career workshops listed on BCC, obtain handout in the Career Center or listed on our web site or meet with a Career Counselor.
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Upload resume, cover letter, unofficial transcript and any other materials required by the employer to the document section of BCC to apply to pre-approved internships.
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Research internship opportunities through web sites, company homepages, directories, networking, etc. and submit an internship for approval to the Academic Internship Coordinator, in the Amica Center for Career Education
Academic Enrollment Deadlines for Juniors and Seniors
Academic Year - 2009-2010
Spring 2010
September 1 - February 2
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Internships approved by Department Chairs are posted and available on BCC for students to apply to
October 1, 2009 - February 2
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Academic Internship Enrollment Form must be obtained after consultation with an academic advisor in the Undergraduate Advising Office
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Self created internship/project description with data sheet must be submitted to the Amica Center for Career Education
February 9
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Academic Internship Enrollment Forms due to the Registrar's Office
Summer 2010
October 1 - May 25
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Internships approved by Department Chairs are posted and available on BCC for students to apply to
March 1 - May 25
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Academic Internship Enrollment Form must be obtained after consultation with an academic advisor in the Undergraduate Advising Office
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Self created internship/project description with data sheet must be submitted to the Amica Center for Career Education
June 8
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Academic Internship Enrollment Forms due to the Registrar's Office
Mandatory Orientation
Juniors and seniors seeking an academic internship must attend one mandatory Orientation to Academic Internships session at least one semester prior to applying for an internship. The session will provide you with: the policies and procedures to follow; applying to internships using the Bryant Career Connection (BCC) and other internship resources, and tips on conducting a successful internship search. Dates and times of orientations can be found by visiting the Bryant Career Connection.
Learning Agreement Packets
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Academic Learning and Application: apply ideas, concepts, or theories of the concentration, major or minor field of study learned in the classroom to a practical setting.
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Skill Development: skills specific to your academic area of study or occupation; and/or general skills such as oral and written communication, critical thinking, organization, problem solving, decision making, leadership, interpersonal relationships, technical, etc.
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Personal Development: develop and enhance self-confidence, self-awareness, self-management, sensitivity and appreciation for diversity, clarification of work and personal values, career awareness and professional development, etc.
Responsibilities
Student: Upon accepting an academic internship, each student will be provided with a learning agreement packet from the Academic Internship Coordinator that contains information to be shared with the faculty supervisor and manager at the employer�s site. The student will fax, email or drop off the forms to the Amica Center for Career Education at the appropriate time during the semester. The student will complete an Intern Assessment Form at the conclusion of the internship to reflect on and rate the experience.
Faculty Supervisor: Will provide a syllabus or learning agreement which will establish grading guidelines. These guidelines may include: meetings with the faculty advisor, measurable learning objectives, criteria for a research paper, required portfolio, written log or journal. The professor may visit the site, converse with the employer and review the mid-semester and final evaluations provided by the employer to assess performance.
Employer: Will complete a confirmation form, mid-semester evaluation form and end of semester evaluation form provided by the intern to insure feedback is provided on the practical application of academic learning; skill development and personal development.
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