Internships: Academic Credit
More and more employers require you to receive academic credit for your internship opportunity. UCS is not able to grant credit for internships. However, there are other options you can explore:
The University Internship Program: U.Va.'s only formal internship program. Earn credit for your summer or academic-year internship. The program offers several options to meet your needs, so review the site carefully and contact the UIP office if you have any questions.
Your academic department or another department that closely relates to the internship (e.g. an independent study): Many academic departments offer an Independent Study course, with an option to earn between one to three credits. If the work you will be doing in your internship will be closely related to the subject matter of a particular department or the research of a professor, consider scheduling a meeting to speak with a professor about your internship and projects. Draft a proposal and suggest ways that you could write papers, conduct research, and/or write reflective journals that connect your internship to the classroom. This work could be evaluated and used to determine your performance for the Independent Study credits. The Director of Undergraduate Programs for your academic department is a good resource.
Your Association Dean: These Deans advise you on academic matters and can refer you to helpful resources on Grounds. Ask for referrals to colleagues and faculty members who might be willing to supervise an Independent Study.
Local community colleges may offer an internship-for-credit course: While this option may not be as widely/easily available as it once was, cost-per-credit hour is often less expensive at a community college than it is at a four-year institution. Check with community colleges to see if they offer a for-credit internship course and with your academic advisor to see if internship credits can transfer back to the University. Also, speak with someone at the internship site and determine if there is a specific number of credits you must earn.
