Internship Requirements

An internship is a form of experiential learning that integrates knowledge and theory learned in the classroom with practical application and skills development in a professional setting. Internships give students the opportunity to gain valuable applied experience and make connections in professional fields they are considering for career paths; and give employers the opportunity to guide and evaluate talent.

NACE (2018)

Dominican University abides by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) definition of an internship. The following requirements must also be met for students to receive academic credit for their internships:

  1. The internship must align with the student’s major or program of study.
  2. The internship must be supervised by an experienced professional, which aligns with the internship. For example, a marketing internship must be supervised by a marketing professional. The internship must also include routine feedback.
  3. The internship must provide an opportunity for a student to learn new skills applicable to the student’s career path.
  4. The internship must allow students to gain experience by applying knowledge and theory learned in the classroom into a professional setting.

As an important caveat, a student’s current part-time or full-time job is not an internship and will not be approved as such.

Credit Hours

Internships may be taken for undergraduate academic credit. Students can register from one to a maximum of eight hours of credit. No more than eight hours of credit can be earned for internships at Dominican University.  

Students must register for credit for the semester in which they are doing the internship. Registering for an internship is just like registering for a class on campus and is subject to any applicable tuition fees. 

The ratio for minimum hours worked to credit hours earned is 40:1. For every hour of credit requested, the student must work a MINIMUM of forty hours per semester. For example, a student who completes a three-credit internship must work a minimum of 120 hours with the employer. See below for the credit hours to work ratio: 

  • ONE CREDIT HOUR
    In order to enroll in one (1) credit hour of internship, a student must work at least 40 hours.
  • TWO CREDIT HOURS

    In order to enroll in two (2) credit hours of internship, a student must work at least 80 hours.

  • THREE CREDIT HOURS
    In order to enroll in three (3) credit hours of internship, a student must work at least 120 hours.
  • FOUR CREDIT HOURS
    In order to enroll in four (4) credit hours of internship, a student must work at least 160 hours.
  • FIVE CREDIT HOURS
    In order to enroll in five (5) credit hours of internship, a student must work at least 200 hours.
  • SIX CREDIT HOURS
    In order to enroll in six (6) credit hours of internship, a student must work at least 240 hours.
  • SEVEN CREDIT HOURS
    In order to enroll in seven (7) credit hours of internship, a student must work at least 280 hours.
  • EIGHT CREDIT HOURS
    In order to enroll in eight (8) credit hours of internship, a student must work at least 320 hours.