Minimum Requirements

• 180 hours of service, ideally 15-16 hours per week for 12 consecutive weeks for a 3 credit internship
• Service hours should lie between the first and last class days of the semester in which the internship is registered (consult your advisor for exceptions)
• Up to 6 credits may be applied towards degree requirements; consult with your advisor prior to registering for more than 3 credits (3 credits can be applied to the research requirement if minimum grade of "B" is achieved, and 3 additional credits may possibly be able to fulfill a concentration or related field requirement)
• Service provided for your internship must be related to your field, and should consist of at least 85% substantive work (e.g. research, report writing, etc.)

Registration Procedures

• Students are responsible for finding a faculty supervisor to determine the academic requirements and grade the internship. It is recommended that you look for a faculty supervisor as early as possible.
• Create a unique title to appear on your transcript (must be no longer than 30 characters, including spaces)
• Complete all spaces on the Registration Form, Preregistration Form, and the Consent and Release Form; incomplete forms/signatures will delay the registration process. You do NOT need to obtain the Career Center SIS internship advisor signature (unless as indicated below). Your academic advisor will obtain the Dean/Dept. Chair signature for you.
• Return the completed forms to your advisor as soon as possible.  If you are only registering for the internship project (or are not registered for anything else), the registration paperwork is due by the Friday before classes begin (for Fall 2009 this was August 21).  A student registered for at least one credit by the Friday before the start of the semester will have until the third week of the semester to add an internship to his/her registration.
• Input the course number: SIS-691 for domestic internships, SIS-692 for international internships. You can leave the section number blank, as the registrar's office will create a unique section for each internship
• Copies of hiring letters and/or job descriptions should be submitted with registration paperwork

Important Information

• Credit registration can be divided between semesters (ex. 2 credits in the Fall, 1 credit in the Spring); International students usually cannot divide credits per SEVIS regulations.
  
• Tuition cost for the internship is based on the number of credits registered, and is charged at the same rate as graduate coursework.  A 3-credit internship will cost the same as a 3-credit course.
  
• The Graduate Advising Office will send evaluation forms to the internship supervisors at the end of each semester, and will forward completed forms to faculty supervisors.
  
• For assistance with learning more about the process of obtaining internships, contact the Career Center (Butler Pavilion 5th floor, ph: 202-885-1800). While SIS and the Career Center are happy to assist students in exploring internship opportunities, the responsibility for securing an internship ultimately lies with the student. You can also get additional info from the Career Center website about SIS internships.
• SIS is happy to work with you regarding developing an internship project in conjunction with your new or current permanent full-time employment. This requires taking on or initiating an additional project(s) above and beyond your full-time responsibilities (students must consult their advisor to determine if this is appropriate).
• Internships with any portion taking place overseas require attending a brief International Internship Orientation at the Career Center (Butler Pavilion, 5th floor, 202-885-1800), and obtain Career Center SIS internship advisor signature on the registration form. Students interning overseas aare also required to complete a Graduate Global Practicum [pdf]Orientation with their academic advisor.
• If you'll be conducting human subject research as a component of your internship and/or for your academic work plan, you may also need approval from American University's Institutional Review Board (IRB).  Be sure to check their website for more information prior to your internship getting underway.
  

International Students F-1 or J-1 Visas

• Students are required to obtain a signature of approval on the Consent and Release Form from the International Student & Scholar Services Office (Butler Pavilion 4th floor, ph: 202-885-3350) BEFORE paperwork can be processed and internship begins
• For PAID INTERNSHIPS  students need to obtain the Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Departmental Internship Verification Form either online or in person from the ISSS Office and submit it to your academic advisor in SIS to complete.  You cannot pursue the same paid internship for more than one semester.