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Information
for the Academic Advisor
Internships are an integral part of a liberal arts curriculum,
enabling students to participate in structured, supervised learning
experiences that enhance knowledge gained in previous course work,
connecting the theoretical with real world applications. Students
also benefit from having opportunities to explore fields of interest
as they crystallize their passions into an academic course of action
and career path. The Internship Program works with students, faculty
sponsors, and community partners to create intentional, academically
relevant learning experiences. Students may engage in internships
in a wide range of off-campus settings which match their academic
goals, including non-profit organizations, government, business,
and the arts.
The primary academic objectives of internships include:
- Providing opportunities for students to examine first-hand knowledge
and theories learned in the classroom for their wider impact on
society and the world at large.
- Providing opportunities for students to evaluate and apply a
body of knowledge and methods of inquiry from an academic discipline.
- Providing students access to a larger or different "laboratory"
of equipment and/or situations not easily obtained or available
on campus.
- Providing students expanded opportunities for self-directed
learning.
- Enabling students to develop work competencies for specific
professions and to explore career interests and form networks.
- Providing opportunities for students to develop intellectual
and professional partnerships.
However, as you advise a student, keep in mind there are other
ways an internship may be a positive curricular option. For a student
struggling with decisions related to the choice of a major or career,
an internship can produce valuable experience and insights that
provide motivation and direction. A meaningful internship can also
be a great option for a student you see as being “burned out”
or disillusioned with school. The real world connection can serve
to re-invigorate the student and get them in touch with the value
of completing a degree, perhaps more clearly seeing their education
as a means to a desired end.
Policies and Guidelines from the 2007-2008 Macalester College
Catalog
Students are advised to refer to the particular departmental
section for Course “624 - Internship” and to consult
individually with faculty members regarding departmental policies
governing internships, including grading. The following college
policies apply to all internships:
a. Only Macalester departments may offer internships
and only if they are listed in the departmental course offerings.
b. Students are required to complete a Learning Contract with
supporting documentation for each separate internship experience
and have it reviewed/signed by the faculty sponsor and Internship
Program Director before it may be registered for credit.
c. A maximum of twenty-four credits in courses numbered 604, 614,
624, 634 may be counted toward graduation. Internship credits
are included among these courses.
d. Students who may not register an internship for academic credit
include students with first year status, students on academic
probation, and students with incompletes (unless they have the
permission of the instructor who assigned the incomplete).
e. Students may not register in a single term for more than six
semester hours of internship credit which take place outside of
the Twin Cities area, or for more than four semester hours of
credit for a single internship in the Twin Cities.
Other considerations
- International students may do paid internships, but only if
done as a fully registered academic internship and if properly
authorized by the International Center.
- The January term is an ideal time for students to do “shadowing”
types of internships that help explore possible professions. This
is especially valuable for students in the hard sciences.
- A scheduling option that is often attractive to students and
community partners alike is planning a “double internship”
for January and Spring, working intensely for an organization
for the three weeks of the January term to begin a project and
following through with a two-credit internship in the Spring as
the project is implemented.
- A student may intern for the same organization more than one
term, but only if the learning objectives for the second experience
are different and build upon the learning exhibited in the first
term. A student may do a maximum of 4 credits with a single organization.
- Consider scheduling an internship in conjunction with a particular
course, e.g. an internship in the office of a state legislator
while also taking a “Legislative Politics” course.
An incredible combination of classroom theory and real world experience!
Hours required for credit
The minimum number of hours worked per week at the internship site
in relation to registered credits is as follows:
Fall-Spring-Summer Internships
(Internships must last a minimum of a ten-week period)
4 credits = A minimum of 140 hours per semester or 10-12 hours per
week
3 credits = A minimum of 105 hours per semester or 8-9 hours per
week
2 credits = A minimum of 75 hours per semester or 5-7 hours per
week
1 credit = A minimum of 45 hours per semester or 3-4 hours per week
January Internships
(Minimum of three weeks)
2 credits = 120 hours per semester or approx. 40 hours per week
1 credit = 60 hours per semester or approx. 20 hours per week
Please feel free to refer your student to Michael Porter (x6152,
porter@macalester.edu) in the Internship Program office for a consultation
about possible internships. We will help brainstorm options, develop
a search strategy, create/refine a resume and cover letter, prepare
for interviews, and manage all documentation to register the internship
for credit. Faculty are also encouraged to contact Mike to explore
incorporating experiential education/civic engagement in courses,
and/or to learn ways to be an effective faculty sponsor. We are
open Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Appointments may
be made by calling x6128 or emailing internship@macalester.edu.
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