Internship for Credit Information

If you are wondering if you can earn credit for your internship, read on.

Earning credit for an internship is independent of receiving a paycheck at the internship site.

Make sure to read our helpful resources to finding an internship.

It is possible to earn SU credit for internships. A few guidelines apply:

As a rule of thumb, academic credit for internships is granted for students who have completed some of the coursework in their major. This allows you to apply theory to practice and have a richer academic and professional experience.
Typically, first-year and sophomore students do not earn academic credit for internship. However, we encourage your participation in internships and other skill building experiences. The more the better.

Is an internship required in your major?

Visit the internship page of your department's website for specific instructions
Determine who is the Faculty Internship Director for your department. The Faculty Internship Director is who you will work with to apply for the credit.
- Don't know who this is? Just ask!

If internship credit is not required in your major/minor:

Speak with your major/minor department to see if you can use internship credit to satisfy major/minor electives.

No matter what, internship for credit may be used towards General Electives.

Registering for Academic Credit with Your Internship

Exploratory Meeting with Faculty Internship Director: Not every department will require an exploratory meeting, so check with your department as soon as you are considering starting the search process.

This meeting will accomplish a few things:

Assess if you are ready to apply for internship for credit - are you far enough along in the major/minor, do you have polished application materials, etc.

Brainstorm internship placement sites - do you already have an idea of where you want to work, or do you need some help identifying placements?

If your department has an existing pool of internship sites in place, the Internship Director will assess if there is a good match between your interests, talents, and qualifications and the internships that are available. Contact the department/program main office to set up an appointment with the Internship Director.

The Internship Director will advise you as to the process and academic requirements involved in the internship. The discussion may include the following:

How will the internship supplement your academic coursework and develop your career goals?

What are your long-term goals (i.e., work, graduate school)?

For how many credits would you like to do your internship?

During what quarter(s) would you like to do the internship?
Prepare Application Materials: In addition to the application process that internship sites require, your Internship Director may require you to submit additional documents in order to be eligible to earn academic credit for an internship. These include:

Statement of Interest: roughly 150-200 word limit, addressing the following key points:

What are your goals for an internship?

How do you best picture achieving these goals? What is the setting?

What are your skills for participation (e.g., special training in a statistical package)?

In what ways can you help the agency?

Professional References: professors, advisors, or supervisors with whom you have had regular one-on-one contact (in a class, as an advisor, or in a job).

Make sure to sign a reference letter request (fulfilling FERPA disclosure requirements)

References may be asked to comment on: responsibility, respect for other students, performance in class, promptness to meetings or class, interpersonal skills, and other relevant characteristics or skills

If references indicate that you are not ready to participate in an internship, you may choose to meet with the Internship Director and receive feedback about how to improve on these recommendations so that you may make changes and apply for an internship in the future

Resume and Cover Letter:

Resume should include what classes you have taken in this field of study and detail your work and volunteer experiences

The cover letter may be a derivative of the Statement of Interest

Ask your Internship Director to review and provide you feedback on the application materials

If you need help, visit Career Engagement Office
Complete Required Registration Steps: Download these instructions (PDF)

Log into Handshake

Use your Seattle U credentials to log in.

Navigate to the Request an Experience form

Click "Career Center" on the center right of the page.

Click "Experiences" in the center of the next page.

Click the blue "Request an Experience" button on the next page.

Complete the form

Select the green “Request Experience” button at the bottom of the page when you’re done, check your email

*Salary is optional in the Job section

You did it!

Check your SU email for a confirmation from Handshake

Your faculty member and the Dean's Office will approve your request and register you in 5-7 business days.

You'll receive an email when you're registered.