General Information
Forms
Links

General Information

All experiential education opportunities are designed to assist students in applying classroom learning while gaining career related experience before (or shortly after) graduation. We provide services to assist students in connecting with local, national, and international employers interested in helping them learn and gain experience in their major/career field.

Hours, Pay and Other Basics
Learning Goals
General Guidelines and Getting Started
International Student Information

• Enhance classroom learning by linking academics and real-world work experience.
• Explore, confirm, or redirect career options.
• Develop self-confidence, critical thinking, communication, and other professional skills.
• Improve job prospects by gaining work experience and networking contacts.
• Earn money or academic credit, if applicable.

• Assistance in preparing resumes, cover letters, and application materials.
• Sources forhundreds of positions--locally, nationally, and internationally; plus assistance in developing a specialized opportunity.
• Strategies to search for internships in the community or elsewhere.

• Internships are available in most majors
• May begin at any time, but usually last for a semester or summer (may be longer)
• Usually part-time during the school year
• Possible academic credit
• Undergraduate or graduate students may participate in these opportunities
• Internships/co-ops are not "easy." In fact, they may involve more work than a class.
• This is not the chance to provide academic credit for a current job. Students should learn new skills and perform new job responsibilities.
• Even if unpaid or not receiving academic credit, students should develop learning goals and be evaluated by their supervisors.
• Most positions involve a certain amount of routine, clerical work; however, this should represent no more than 20% of the duties.
• Internships are effective recruitment methods, but no job guarantee is expected.

1. An integration of theories into practice
2. Transferable skill development (verbal, written, and presentation skills; technical skills)
3. Higher-level cognitive skills (researching, synthesizing, analyzing, persuading, coordinating)

• To understand human resource management theories as they apply to a corporate HR Department
• To develop database design skills
• To learn how to develop and write a product marketing proposal

• Analyze the HR management structure, research which theories are functioning, and present findings to the organization
• Develop an Access database to track company inventory
• Participate in market research sessions and assist in preparing client proposals

• Good academic and disciplinary standing.
• Completion of freshman year and/or 1 semester as a Webster student and have at least a 2.0 GPA. Most employers require a 3.0 GPA and at least sophomore status.
• Internships/Co-ops are not encouraged in the same place students are employed. New learning/duties must be the focus of the experience.

• Academic credit guidelines and requirements vary by department, but most offer 1-6 elective credit hours. Tuition charges are the same.
• Students may tentatively accept a position, but they must gain faculty approval and register for academic credit BEFORE beginning the selected internship/co-op. Students are assigned a faculty mentor to supervise their experiences.
• Academic requirements will be determined by the faculty mentor, but may include: journals, papers, presentations, supervisor's evaluation, etc.
• Academic credit will be evaluated by the faculty mentor, usually on a pass/fail basis.

• Resume feedback geared towards their interests.
• Resources and information on how to effectively conduct an internship search in their specialty area.
• Assistance with cover letters, thank you letters, employer research and interviewing.
• Access to hundreds of Internship/Co-op/Practicum listings in St. Louis, nationally, and internationally
• Information about academic credit options and referral to faculty mentors.

1. Visa Status: Students must have maintained full-time F-1 Student Visa status for at least 9 months prior to the start of an internship/co-op/practicum/apprentice teaching or have another Visa classification or Green Card that will legally authorize them to work in the United States.
   
   With an F-1 Student Visa, students may work 20 hours per week during school sessions and full-time (40 hours per week) during vacation periods on an internship/co-op/practicum/apprentice teaching experience. Work may be volunteer, paid, or unpaid. All are considered work and must be arranged through these procedures to avoid immigration and legal problems and possible deportation. If students have questions regarding their current visa status and eligibility to work, they should contact the International Student Services Office, 538 Garden Ave, (314) 968-6964, Fax (314) 968-7122.
   
   
2. Academic Credit: With the F-1 Student Visa, students may only participate in an internship/co-op/practicum/apprentice teaching experience as part of their academic coursework under Curricular Practical Training for at least 1 credit hour.
   
   Undergraduate Students: Students may be eligible to enroll in an internship/co-op/practicum/apprentice teaching experience course according to the following guidelines:
   
   • Management, Computer Science, and Math: Typically sophomore status or higher.
   • School of Communications: Pass Portfolio Review first. All internships arranged through the School of Communications Internship Coordinator, Mindy Berkowitz, Sverdrup 124, (314) 961 2660 x 7614.
   • Education: Typically senior status, seeking teacher certification, & completion of prerequisites.
   • All other majors: Typically sophomore status or higher.
   
   Graduate Students: Students may be eligible to enroll in an internship course according to the following guidelines:
   • MBA without an emphasis (36 hours): Must complete most of required coursework except the 6200 course. The internship may count as 3-6 hours of elective credit in addition to the 36 hour MBA coursework.
   • MBA with an emphasis (48 hours): Must complete most of required coursework except the 6000 course. The internship may count as 3-6 hours of elective credit in the emphasis area only.
   • MA/MS: Must complete most of required coursework except the 6000 course. The internship may count as 3-6 hours of elective credit in the emphasis area only.
   
   
3. Registration: Once students have found internship positions through Career Services or through other resources, they must:
   • Complete the required academic paperwork and obtain a letter of approval to engage in the internship/co-op/practicum from the faculty mentor in the academic department.
   • Bring a copy of the academic paperwork, passport, and I-20 to the International Student Services to receive legal approval with the INS to participate in an internship/co-op/practicum. Also, complete Section A of Form I-538, available in the International Student Services office. If attending an extended campus, students will need to contact the International Student Services office for work authorization (314) 968-6964.
   • Register for the credit hours approved by the faculty mentor in the Registrar's Office.
   • Complete the Learning Agreement and return to the faculty mentor, if requested.
   
   
4. Alumni: Must be authorized to work in the U.S. through Optional Practical Training, Green Card, or other Visa authorization to participate in an experiential education experience.
   
   Note:
   Employers are seeking internship students with certain majors and coursework as well as excellent oral and written communications skills, technical skills, and leadership experience. If students are not yet eligible for an internship, they are encouraged to build communication, technical, and leadership skills through campus involvement and/or on-campus work experience.
   
   Non-credit internships may be undertaken if international students have a Green Card or other visa which authorizes them to work in the U.S. They may also consider an internship by using the one year of Optional Practical Training time.

Internship Forms

The following documents are in Rich Text Format and can be viewed and printed with any word processor or text editor.

Learning Objectives
Learning Agreement

Internship Links

General Internship Listings
Internship Listings by Career
International Internship Listings