Internships Defined | Find An Internship | Summer Internship Stipends | Internship Stipend Outcomes | Paid vs. Unpaid Internships | Frequently Asked Questions | Micro Internships
An internship is defined by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) as a form of experiential learning that integrates knowledge and theory learned in the classroom with practical application and skills development in a professional setting. Internships give students the opportunity to gain valuable applied experience and make connections in professional fields they are considering for career paths; and give employers the opportunity to guide and evaluate talent.
To ensure that an experience—whether it is a traditional internship or one conducted remotely or virtually—is educational, and thus eligible to be considered an internship, all of the following criteria must be met:
- The experience must be an extension of the classroom: a learning experience that provides for applying the knowledge gained in the classroom. It must not be simply to advance the operations of the employer or be the work that a regular employee would routinely perform.
- The skills or knowledge learned must be transferable to other employment settings.
- The experience has a defined beginning and end, and a job description with desired qualifications.
- There are clearly defined learning objectives/goals related to the professional goals of the student’s academic coursework.
- There is supervision by a professional with expertise and educational and/or professional background in the field of the experience.
- There is routine feedback by the experienced supervisor.
- There are resources, equipment, and facilities provided by the host employer that support learning objectives/goals.
What’s NOT An Internship
- Independent research consulting a professional is not considered an internship by the CCPD.
- Summer school programs, classwork, or any other training for which tuition or fees are paid are not considered an internship by the CCPD.