Internship FAQs

All students taking part in an internship must complete the INTERNSHIP / CO-OP LEARNING CONTRACT with a faculty sponsor.

What is an internship?

An internship is supervised experiential learning which offers you the opportunity to work in a career related position part time while you complete your university studies.

In order for a job to be considered an internship, it must meet the following three criteria:

How many hours a week must I work at my internship?

The internship experience required a student to work for a minimum of 4 weeks and a maximum of one semester. Students are required to work a minimum of 40 work hours for 1 credit; a minimum of 85 work hours for 2 credits; a minimum of 130 work hours for 3 credits During a semester this normally means working 8 12 hours a week.

Am I paid a salary as an intern?

Each employer is different in its salary policy for interns. Many internships are paid positions, particularly in the fields of computer science, technology, business, engineering, and MIS. However, in the fields of social services and education, many of the internships do not provide a salary. Internships abroad vary.

Can I receive academic credit for my internship experience?

You can receive academic credit for your internship experience if you complete a Learning Contract signed by you, your employer, your faculty sponsor, and the internship coordinator in WLC. The Learning Contract lists the tasks in which you will be involved on the job; stipulates what the learning objectives of your work experience are; and identifies the method of evaluation (e.g., keeping a journal, preparing a research paper, giving a presentation, etc.) agreed to by your faculty sponsor. At the end of your employment, your supervisor must submit to the university an assessment of your professional development. In addition to the Learning Contract, you must register and pay fees for the appropriate amount of academic credit (French, German, Russian, Spanish 499 or WLC 499), regardless of whether or not you are receiving a salary as part of the internship.

Note: Only foreign language majors or minors with at least a 2.5 GPA and 3 credits at the 300 level in the corresponding language are eligible to enroll in French, German, Russian, Spanish 499 or WLC 499.

When is credit granted?

Before the internship begins, you, your faculty sponsor and your work supervisor must file a Learning Contract. The Learning Contract stipulates the academic requirements, learning objectives, method of assessment and required work experience.  Credit is granted after all aspects of the Learning Contract have been satisfactorily met. Normally internship credit is not granted retroactively.

What internships are available to me in the field of world languages and cultures?

The availability of internships in foreign languages is growing, particularly in the translation and interpretation areas, in the field of social services and medicine, and other areas abroad. Spanish language skills continue to be in highest demand, but opportunity exists for students in Chinese, French, German, Russian, and Portuguese.

How do I find out more about participating in an internship in world languages?

Students may also seek out their own internship and work with a faculty internship coordinator. For more information about internship opportunities in foreign languages, speak one of the following internship coordinators and/or download the internship Learning Contract: