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Credit Internships Step by Step
This page includes all the information and forms related to the credit internship program at SMCM. If you have any questions, please contact the Career Development Center by phone (240-895-4203) or email (careercenter@smcm.edu). You may also refer to SMCM's online Academic Catalog for College-wide information and policies related to internships.
1. Getting Started (Learning about Internships and ELAW)
Whether you are just beginning to think about an internship or you have identified a site, our INTERN FAQ is the place to start. It provides details about the processes, policies, and academic components of the credit program and also includes information about the fulfilling the Core Curriculum "ELAW" (Experiencing the Liberal Arts in the World) Requirement. Internships are available to full-time, degree-seeking students who expect to complete at least 28 credits by the start of the internship, provided that they have a cumulative grade-point average of 3.20 or higher at the time of application. Students who will have completed at least 56 credits by the start of the internship are eligible with a cumulative grade point average of 2.50 or higher at the time of application (if you fail to meet these requirements you may submit a letter of appeal to the Academic Policy Committee). If you have not yet identified any internships of interest, begin by exploring the internship listings. CDC staff are here to help, but it is ultimately your responsibility to identify, contact, and secure your own internship site.
2. Finding a Faculty Sponsor
Credit interns also need to identify a faculty sponsor. The sponsor will work with you on your learning agreement (see below) and academic project, correspond with you over the course of the internship, and ultimately assign a grade. Your sponsor should have some familiarity with the field of the internship and should be in the department from which you are seeking credit. You may direct your faculty sponsor to the Faculty FAQ or Internship Guide for Faculty Sponsors for more information.
3. Reviewing the Syllabus and Completing the Learning Agreement
Your internship will be guided by a general SYLLABUS as well as a uniquely designed LEARNING AGREEMENT. Together these documents serve as a signed contract between you, your site supervisor, your faculty sponsor, and the SMCM CDC. The syllabus provides detail regarding registration and reflection requirements, as well as instructions for filling out the Learning Agreement. In the Learning Agreement you will provide the following with the help of your sponsor and supervisor: a description of your responsibilities, an overview of your academic project, and a record of your learning objectives.
4. Obtaining Approval for your Site
Once you have made contact with a site, the CDC will work with you to determine whether the organization has a current SITE APPROVAL on file. If not, your Site Supervisor will need to complete, sign, and return the electronic or print-fax copy of our Site Approval Form to our office. The form must be reviewed and approved by the CDC and chair of the department from which credit is sought. The approval process may involve some discussion and revision and can take up to two weeks. Site supervisors are encouraged to review our employer handbook, Developing a Quality Internship Program, which is designed to support completion of the site approval form, development of an internship program, and mentorship of individual interns.
5. Registering for Internship Credit and CORE 350 (ELAW)
The front page of your Learning Agreement will double as the "Learning Contract" needed for credit registration. If you are using the internship to satisfy the Experiencing the Liberal Arts in the World (ELAW) requirement of the Core Curriculum, you must submit a separate CORE 350 Registration form to the Office of the Core Curriculum indicating enrollment in Section 02. (If you are interested in using a non-credit summer experience to fulfill your ELAW requirement please see the Internship FAQ under Step 1. In addition to the CORE 350 form you'll need to submit a petition for approval; Please direct any questions to corecurriculum@smcm.edu.)
6. Attending an Intern Orientation Session
All new credit interns must attend a mandatory orientation session at the beginning of the semester (or in May for Summer). At this session you will have the opportunity to ask any questions you may have about your internship.
Additional Internship Program Documents
Site Supervisor's Evaluation of Intern (Print-fax version)
Intern's Evaluation of Internship and Site
