If I want to earn academic credit for participation in a business internship, how do I get started?
Contact the Clay Center at VSB to arrange for an appointment with Jennifer Mullen, Internship/CoOp Coordinator (Bartley 1054; 610.519.3746) or attend an Academic Internship Information Session.

Do I have to earn academic credit for my internship?
It depends on the employer’s requirements. Some employers require that interns earn academic credit while working for their organizations. It is more common for employers to allow the students to decide whether they wish to pursue academic credit or not.

Can I get paid AND receive academic credit for an internship/CoOp?
VSB allows students to earn credit and pay for an internship or CoOp, if applicable. Pay and credit are not mutually exclusive, but rather internship specific. Students can receive pay AND credit, pay OR credit, or neither, depending on the parameters defined by the employer.

How many and what classification of credit can I earn for VSB internships/CoOps?
VSB students can earn up to 6 free elective credits for completion of two separate internships or one CoOp experience. VSB internships and CoOps are counted as free elective credit only. A VSB internship is designated on a student’s curriculum audit by the academic department with which it is associated (e.g. Finance Internship; Marketing Internship; etc).

Can I complete two internships for academic credit in the same department?
Students can receive credit for two internships in the same department as long as the chair of the sponsoring academic area deems that the two experiences are distinctly different (e.g. Accounting - a tax internship and an assurance internship; Marketing - a sport marketing internship and a fashion industry internship, etc.). Students must work with the Clay Center to complete the internship approval process.

What happens to my internship or CoOp credits if I have used all of my free elective credits on my double major, co-major, or minor requirements?
If a student has no free elective credits remaining, internship credits are designated as “unused credits” on a student’s curriculum audit or CAPP. These credits do not count toward graduation requirements, but are extra credit earned above and beyond the 123 required to graduate. For accounting majors interested in sitting for the CPA exam, those additional credits will count toward the 150 credit hour requirement.

Can I receive credit for a summer internship when I return to school in the fall?
No. Academic credit for a business internship will NOT be awarded retroactively. Students must work with the Clay Center to gain academic credit approval for an internship and be registered for the appropriate internship course BEFORE the start of the internship experience.

If I’m looking for a business internship, can the University Career Center help?
Yes. Students are encouraged to pursue internship leads through multiple sources, including those provided by the University Career Center. The Career Center has an active on-campus interviewing program and internship posting system. It utilizes the web-based recruiting system known as eRecruiting/Experience; every student has an eRecruiting/Experience account. Students are encouraged to meet with a Career Counselor (Garey Hall; 610.519.4060) to discuss internship search strategies and resources. REMINDER: If you wish to earn academic credit for a business internship lead that was generated by the Career Center or through some other source, you must work with the Clay Center to complete the internship approval process.

In GoNOVA (formerly eRecruiting/Experience), can I apply for an internship with a resume submission deadline that has already passed?
No, you can not apply online for a position after the resume submission deadline has passed. In many cases, though, a contact person’s name and e-mail address are provided within the internship description. Students are encouraged to communicate directly with that employer representative to discuss opportunities with the company and request consideration.

Where do I get assistance on developing a resume and my interviewing skills?
The University Career Center can help you develop the skills necessary in preparing for the internship, CoOp and full-time job search. Visit the Career Center in Garey Hall and/or gather information from the Career Center Web site. For additional FAQs, please see the Clay Center FAQ page.