Download the Internship Form here in PDF format.

Internship Deadlines:

Summer 2013: Wednesday, May 22, 5:00 p.m.

Looking for an internship this semester that you’d like to register for credit? Here you can find the instructions and the forms you’ll need.  Still have questions? Contact your academic advisor.

Trying to find an internship-your academic advisor, your faculty, and the Career Center have great resources to help you!

The Basics

• American University permits a maximum of 12 credits of internship towards your degree program, and maximum of 6 credits can be obtained at one organization. You are eligible to receive 1 credit per 60 hours of internship work. For example, you must complete 180 hours of internship in order to receive 3 academic credits.
  
• You must complete 30 academic credits in residence at American University before you register for an internship.Transfer and AP/IB credits do not count towards the required 30 credits.
  
• All internships must be supervised by an American University faculty member. SIS requires that your internship grade be based on two things:

The work you do at the internship (based on an evaluation from your supervisor at the internship)

Your Academic Work Plan-the project(s), paper(s), journal, or other assignments set by your faculty supervisor above and beyond (but related to) the work you are performing at your internship

Course Numbers

• SIS-391 Internship in International Affairs (used for internships in the US)

Registration Process (once you’ve secured an internship)

• Step 1: Consult the AU Academic Calendar to review the internship registration deadlines. You should work closely with your Academic Advisor to ensure that the addition of your internship credits will not raise your total semester credits above 17 credits.
• Step 2: Identify and contact a SIS faculty member about supervising your internship program. Have questions about who to ask? Your Academic Advisor will be able to make some recommendations based on the internship you’ll be doing.
• Step 3: Download the SIS Internship Registration Form and complete it. The title of the internship must not exceed 30 characters (including spaces).  You’ll need to complete all spaces for your form to be processed.
• Step 4: Provide a description of your internship work on the internship form. All internships must at least be 85% substantive (preparing reports, giving briefings, attending meetings, conducting research, etc.) with substantial international content and focus (determined by your SIS advisor). In completing your forms, explain how the internship relates to your academic program or applies to your SIS major:

1. Specify how your internship relates to international affairs

2. Explain how the internship will enhance your ability to apply your knowledge and experience to your coursework

3. Identify at least one transferable skill that your internship duties will allow you to develop

If you are requesting that the internship be applied within your functional field or area specialization, explain how their internship relates to your region or policy focus.

Sample Response: I became interested in microcredit programs during my International Development class. I want to learn more about how technology is making microcredit programs more efficient. Using technology to enhance microcredit programs is one of the core goals of the Grameen Foundation's Technology Center. I plan to apply this internship to my functional field in International Development because the mission of the center is development.

As a program intern, I will assist with fundraising and event planning. In order to convince people to give the organization money, I will need to understand the specific ways that the Technology Center is using technology to make microfinance programs more effective. As a result of this internship I will hone my writing skills. I will also gain an understanding of the pros and cons of using technology to enhance microcredit programs.

Your internship supervisor will need to sign your form to confirm the duties you’ll be performing and to confirm that he/she knows you will be completing an internship for credit and that he/she will be required to complete an evaluation.

• Step 5: Review your paperwork with your faculty member. He/she will sign the form as well as to specify your Academic Work Plan.
• Step 6: If you are an international student on a F-1 or J-1 visa, you’ll need your International Student Advisor to review and sign your paperwork.
• Step 7: Bring the completed form with the faculty supervisor’s signature to your SIS Academic Advisor for approval prior to the deadline above. Your Academic Advisor will review your form to make sure all the necessary information on the form has been completed, will obtain the Dean/Department Chair signature for you, and will submit the completed form for processing. The internship should be posted on your record within two weeks.

Please Note:

• You may do an independent study and an internship for credit, but you can only use 3 credits of either an internship or independent study towards your SIS major. 
• If any part of your internship will be taking place outside the US and is not part of a Study Abroad program, please consult your Academic Advisor regarding additional paperwork called the Undergraduate Global Practicum (UGP) [pdf]. You will need to submit completed UGP forms before you are able to register the internship.
• International students on F-1 visas who are pursuing a paid internship will need to complete additional paperwork for Curricular Practical Training. International students on J-1 visas pursuing a paid internship will need to complete additional materials for Academic Training.
• Be advised that students must pay per credit for their internship.

Last updated 3 October 2012