Internships and Cooperative Education – Undergraduate
About This Policy
- Last Updated
- 03/06/2026
- Responsible Office
- Academic Affairs
Definitions
Cooperative Education (co-op): A structured, paid, full-time faculty- or site-supervised work learning experience. Co-ops are components of an academic program curriculum that allow students to make a connection between their studies and the world of work. These experiences typically last several months to a year and alternate with academic study. The positions must meet the University’s work-learning criteria.
Internship: A short-term paid or unpaid work experience providing the employer with skilled workers and giving students exposure to a potential career and/or work environment. An internship may be credit-bearing. The positions must meet the University’s work-learning criteria.
Policy Description
This policy is for Undergraduate students only:
Internships for Credit:
Students who believe a work experience can be considered for internship credits should contact the Career Services office in the designated school to discuss eligibility, how many credits can be earned for the experience, and how those credits can be applied towards degree completion.
Eligibility/Requirements for Internship Credit:
- 2.0 minimum grade point average (GPA)
- 30 earned credits
- Must be a NEW learning experience
- Students currently employed with an organization must provide the University with evidence that substantial new learning will take place during the internship semester. (e.g. promotion, different position within the organization, evidence of a new project that compromises at minimum 50% of work time)
- Must take place during the same semester of the application. The University will not retroactively award academic credit for an internship that has already been completed.
- Must last a minimum of 8 weeks.
- Undergraduate students may earn up to 12 credits from a combination of internship courses.
- A student cannot be self-employed or work for a family member.
- Restrictions apply to work in an employer’s private residence.
- Prior to enrollment and if applicable, a student must accept the Consent Agreement, Statement of Ethical Conduct, the Remote Policy and/or the Covid Waiver.
- The Career Services Director, faculty or designee can determine academic credit eligibility and allocation. This is not determined by a student or an employer.
The following internship hours to credit conversion chart is applicable only for all sections of COED; including, but not limited to 401, 402, and 403. The number of credits earned, and hours worked, shall be indicated prior to the beginning of the internship, and cannot be changed unilaterally during the internship experience:
- 140 hours over the course of a semester = 3 credits
- 190 hours over the course of a semester = 4 credits
- 235 hours over the course of a semester = 5 credits
- 280 hours over the course of a semester = 6 credits
- 330 hours over the course of a semester = 7 credits
- 375 hours over the course of a semester = 8 credits
- 420 hours over the course of a semester = 9 credits
- 470 hours over the course of a semester = 10 credits
- 515 hours over the course of a semester = 11 credits
- 560 hours over the course of a semester = 12 credits
Cooperative Education:
For requirements and eligibility for cooperative education experiences, and information on how to set up these experiences, students should contact their advisor, program director, or Career Services office.