Internships are excellent opportunities to explore potential career fields, enhance communication skills, and build your professional network. Interns gain specialized experience across diverse facets of business in a development-focused environment. Internships are designed to teach professionalism and engage students in a business environment. Student interns gain clarity in their career directions and, in some cases, emerge with permanent job opportunities.
UCA business students are encouraged to utilize Career Services, on-campus recruiting events, and their own networks to land an internship. Employers know the value of UCA interns, so our students are actively recruited by a wide range of companies. Begin your internship search today by visiting https://uca.edu/career.
Internships for Academic Credit
Academic credit may be earned for junior, senior, or master’s level business students who complete internships. Check with your advisor about how internship course credit fits into your degree plans.
Business internship requirements and protocols:
- Internships must represent meaningful learning experiences in line with the academic field in which credit is being sought
- Internships must include a minimum of 120 hours of work in the approved business
- The relevant department chair (or designated internship coordinator) must approve the intended learning objectives, the work site, and the academic course enrollment
- Consult with your advisor to determine the course prefix, number, and credit hours that best align with your degree plan
- Internships that will be fully remote, conducted in one’s own family business, or conducted in a private home require specific approval from the department chair
STUDENT
Expectations of the student intern prior to the internship:
- Secure an internship that will allow you to practice professional work and apply business knowledge in a real-world environment
- Discuss with your employer supervisor the specific work activities, learning outcomes, and feedback processes within your internship
- Consult with your advisor to determine the course prefix, number, and credit hours that best align with your degree plan
- Complete and submit the learning agreement form
- *International Students* apply for CPT via the Center for Global Learning and Engagement
Expectations of the student intern during to the internship:
- Complete Weekly Journals documenting meaningful learning experiences
- Request that your employer supervisor complete the Mid-Term and Final Evaluations
- Complete the Student Self-Evaluation
- Write a five-page paper on your internship experience
EMPLOYER
Expectations of the employing organization:
- Assist the student in completing the learning agreement form, such as providing a job description
- Provide meaningful learning experiences as documented in the learning agreement
- Complete the mid-term and final evaluations
- Allow a UCA faculty member to visit the workplace if requested
Forms Required for Academic Credit
Document your business internship for academic credit using these forms:
Enrollment
Once you’ve landed an internship, submitting a Learning Agreement is the first step in earning academic credit. Complete all sections of the Learning Agreement and submit it to the department chair that oversees the academic discipline in which you’re seeking credit.
- COB Internship Learning Agreement (includes 3 key parts) should be submitted to the Department Chair.
- Learning Agreement (page 1-7)
- Internship Job Description (page 2; completed by Internship Sponsor)
- Student Internship Waiver (page 8-9)
Once the Learning Agreement is reviewed and accepted, you will be enrolled in the internship course.
*International students* should apply for CPT as soon as they are enrolled in the internship course. Your CPT must be approved BEFORE you begin interning.
During Internship
Once enrolled, your internship will be directed by the department chair or by a designated faculty member. Your internship director will let you know when and how to submit the remaining documents required for your internship, which include:
- Weekly Journal – submitted every week of your internship to summarize your experiences and track your hours worked
- Supervisor Mid-Term Evaluation – request that your supervisor at your internship completes this form once you reach the mid-point of the internship (minimum 60 hours worked)
Final Deliverables
Final deliverables should be submitted as you reach the end of your internship (minimum 120 hours worked). All final deliverables should be submitted by the final exam week/day for the term of your internship. Consult with your internship director for specific deadlines and expectations.
- Supervisor Final Evaluation– request that your supervisor at your internship completes this form once you reach the end of the internship (minimum 120 hours worked)
- Student Self-Evaluation (includes 2 key parts)
- The student self-evaluation form assesses whether the goals outlined in the Learning Agreement were met
- Final Paper (5 pages)
Internships without Academic Credit
Business internships provide valuable career training and professional experience, and all students are encouraged to engage in internships while pursuing their degrees.
In some cases, student interns may not qualify and/or benefit from earning academic credit. For example, students may complete internships:
- When the credit is not needed by your degree plan
- That are not aligned with your major or minor
- Prior to reaching junior status
The College of Business encourages students to complete internships that enhance their career readiness, regardless of whether they also pursue academic credit.
If you are completing an internship without also earning academic credit, please complete this webform: Non-Credit Internship Form
Reporting your internship benefits the College in support of data analytics and accreditation, as well as other/future interns by recognizing employers that are offering internships.