Internships
(Policy 2.28)
The internship program is one method used by the College to integrate theory with practice. Internships carry credit in the student’s academic major, but the rules of the program and the course descriptions are the same for all participating departments. Practical experience in the workplace is not only an education in itself, but it is also increasingly sought by potential employers. All eligible College students are encouraged, therefore, to participate in an internship experience whenever possible.
There are two types of internships at the College with regard to requirements, guidelines, and procedures: (1) regular departmental internships and (2) student teaching internships. The information below is designed for regular departmental internships. Requirements, guidelines, and procedures for student teaching internships are available in the Department of Education.
Students interested in internships should contact their academic advisors as soon as possible. The Departmental Internship Handbook is available from academic advisors. All forms related to internships must be completed and filed with the academic advisor and the Office of the Provost prior to registration for the semester in which the internship is to be completed.
Deadlines (to turn in internship application and resume)
April 1: for fall/summer internships
November 1: for spring internships
Course Credit. A maximum of 6 hours internship credit may be earned (except for the internship in student teaching, which is 12 hours). Convincing documentation must be presented for more than four hours of undergraduate credit in an internship. The College requires 45 hours on the job per one hour of undergraduate credit earned. [See Policy 2.12: Time Requirements for Semester Hour Credit] To receive credit, students must complete the Application for Internship form and submit it to the Office of the Provost. Upon approval of the internship, the student will be registered for the credit by the Office of the Registrar. A student may not receive credit for a previous work experience; i.e., a student cannot receive credit for a summer work experience after the student has started to work.
Background Checks. All students must have a background check before being registered for an internship. Students must provide their own background check through the company contracted to provide the service to the College. Students are responsible for paying for the background check. Information regarding the background check is available in the Office of the Provost.
Placement in Internships. Students may not initiate contact nor arrange their own internship for academic credit. Either the faculty supervisor or the Provost must initiate all requests to an organization concerning an internship, but a student may request that an inquiry be made at a particular agency. The College does not guarantee placement for any student. All attempts will be made to locate an internship for each approved student. Interns assume any potential risks to themselves by accepting placement at an internship site. Blue Mountain College is not liable for any injury or damages sustained.
Payment for Internships. The Office of the Provost and/or the intern do not request payment for an internship; however, agencies may offer payment at their own initiative.
Eligibility. In order to be eligible for an internship, the student must be of junior or senior academic standing, have completed at least 12 credit hours at Blue Mountain College, have a GPA of 2.00 and be in good academic standing, have a declared major, and have the written approval of the faculty supervisor. The signed application, which certifies that the student has met all departmental prerequisites, must be submitted to the Provost before a placement can be sought for the student. In addition, the student must submit a resume; and provide documentation regarding the background check.
Internship Liability. Liability for an internship experience can vary depending on the circumstances of the internship. The College carries insurance to cover claims arising out of academic credit involving bodily injury or property damage of each student. Students may be required to purchase Student Malpractice Insurance before being allowed to begin an internship, which depends entirely on the internship site requirements.