480X Internship Course Description
Provides an opportunity for a student to gain field experience in an area related to the student’s program of study or career goals. The learning objectives for internships include connecting academic knowledge and problem-solving processes to experiences and problems in professional settings. Supervision of an intern is provided by an appropriate faculty member and by a site supervisor of the agency or business in which the student is an intern. A student who wishes to engage in an internship must consult with the appropriate faculty member at least eight weeks in advance of the start of the term in which the internship is to be completed. A description of the internship, signed by the student and the faculty sponsor, must be filed with the director of internships by the first day of the semester prior to the start of the internship. Approval of each application for an internship is made by the director of internships based upon approved policies and guidelines. Internships are graded on an S or U basis. Students must complete 120 hours of internship-related work as well as weekly journal entries and a final reflective paper completed in accordance with approved requirements. A student may enroll in an internship program for three (3) credits per semester, and internship credit may be earned in subsequent semesters subject to the limitations that no more than two internships may be pursued in any one agency or business and a maximum of nine (9) credits in internships may be applied toward graduation. FILA general education: experiential learning.
480X Enrollment Eligibility Requirements
- Must be a Rising Junior, Junior, or Senior
- Must have completed a minimum of 60 academic credit hours
- Must have a minimum of 2.0 grade point average
- Course credit cannot be awarded for past work experiences
480X Registration and Application Process
1. Internship Search
The most important step! Not sure where to start your internship search? Attend an Internship Search workshop, make an appointment with a Career Center staff member, search Handshake, speak with your professors, friends, family, or anyone else who might be helpful in your search.
2. Register for the 480X Credited Internship Course
Once you have secured an internship, register for the 480X Credited Internship course. Your Academic Advisor will need to approve as with any other course.
3. Meet with BC Center for Career Development
Set up a “480X Guidelines and Application Process” appointment with the Center for Career Development. We offer in person and virtual appointments. Reserve your appointment via Handshake. We will cover the Guidelines and Application process, and you will be given a Draft Internship Application.
4. Meet with Cooperating Professor
You’ll need a professor who teaches within your discipline to oversee your internship course (i.e., if you enrolled in BIOL-480X you will need a biology professor). Set up a meeting with your professor to discuss the internship duties and learning objectives. Collaborate with your Cooperating Professor to complete the Draft Internship Application.
5. Meet with Internship Site Supervisor
Identify who your Internship Site Supervisor will be. This role is like that of a supervisor in a traditional job. Determine who will be overseeing your work at the internship. Meet with them to discuss your internship duties and learning objectives. Collaborate with your Internship Site Supervisor to complete the Draft Internship Application.
6. Complete 480X Online Internship Application
Once you have completed the above steps you may complete your 480X Online Internship Application via Handshake Experiences. Use the Draft Internship Application that you worked on with your Cooperating Professor and Internship Site Supervisor. Your application will be submitted for approval to the Center for Career Development, your Cooperating Professor, and your Internship Site Supervisor. Handshake will request these approvals via email so be sure to let everyone involved know to expect an email from Handshake regarding your internship.
Once all reviewers have approved the application, you’ll be ready to begin your internship!
480X Online Internship Application Step by Step Guide with Screenshots
Frequently Asked Questions
Application Short Answer Questions
The Draft Internship Application has four short answer questions that need to be entered on the 480X Online Internship Application “Learning Objectives” tab. For reference, those questions are:
1. Internship Description – Describe your role and responsibilities while on your internship
2. Integration Learning Objective – How will you integrate your existing academic knowledge into your internship?
3. General Learning Objectives – What knowledge, skills, and/or techniques will you learn from completing this internship?
4. How will completing this internship help you with your future career goals or academic plans?
Your application will not be approved until detailed answers are provided for each of these questions.
Midterm and Final Evaluations
The Midterm Site Supervisor Evaluation is due once you have completed 60 hours of your internship. The blank form is found on the Midterm Site Supervisor Evaluation Canvas assignment. It is to be completed by your Internship Site Supervisor. Once they have finished it, you must upload it to the Midterm Site Supervisor Evaluation Canvas assignment.
The Final Site Supervisor Evaluation is due once you have finished your internship. The blank form is found on the Final Site Supervisor Evaluation Canvas assignment. It is to be completed by your Internship Site Supervisor. Once they have finished it, you must upload it to the Final Site Supervisor Evaluation Canvas assignment.
480X Course Documents
- 480X Draft Internship Application
- 480X Credited Internship Guidelines
- 480X Credited Internship Guidelines Checklist
- 480X Grading Structure
- 480X Internship Hourly Log Form
- 480X Sample Internship Journals
Student FAQs
Your internship should be related (in some way) to your major. Beyond that, the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) suggests that for an internship to be considered educational 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.
Add the course to your schedule for the semester you wish to complete your internship. Your Academic Advisor will need to approve the course. Reach out to the Registrar’s Office if you do not see a 480X section listed for your discipline.
Once you submit your 480X Online Internship Application the Center for Career Development will review it within one (1) business day. You will be emailed if any changes or corrections are needed.
Once the Center for Career Development has approved the application, the BC professor you have identified as your Cooperating Professor will receive an email from Handshake asking them to review the application. They have five (5) business days to complete their review. Once they approve Handshake will send an email to the person you have identified as your Internship Site Supervisor for their review. They will also be given five (5) business days.
At least 120 hours of internship related work and at least 6 weeks in duration.
Unfortunately, no. Course credit cannot be awarded for past work experiences.
Unfortunately, no. You’re welcome to complete the internship as it is a terrific opportunity to gain work experience and develop your skills, but you’ll be unable to register for 480X and receive academic credit.
The process is similar to the one outlined on this page, however international students on F or J visa status must also meet with Anne Marsh, Director of International Education.
When entering your 480X Online Internship Application on Handshake Experiences, select the “[F or J visa status] 480X Internship Application” option.
480X Credited Internship course is offered in all semesters at BC: Spring, May term, Summer sessions, and Fall.
You may begin your internship once your 480X Online Internship Application is approved by the Center for Career Development, your Cooperating Processor, your Internship Site Supervisor, and you have enrolled in the 480X course. Speak with your Cooperating Professor if you’d like to begin prior to the start of the semester in which you have enrolled.
Site Supervisor and Cooperating Professor FAQs
Yes. If the details on the 480X Online Internship Application are incorrect, or you disagree with the Learning Objectives you may decline to approve and offer feedback for corrections.
Ideally though, the student will have met with your prior to submitting their application, and will have gone over the Draft Internship Application together with you.
You may add assignments if you like, but may not remove any of the assignments detailed in the 480X Guidelines and Application guide.
You no longer need to physically sign the application. Your approval is gathered via Handshake Experiences. You will receive an email from Handshake with a unique link which you will use to approve or decline your student’s internship application.
You do not need a Handshake account to approve an internship application.
Handshake allows five (5) business days to review and approve the internship and learning objectives.
The email will generate from Handshake and will come from handshake@notifications.joinhandshake.com. You may need to search your Junk email folder if you do not see it in your Inbox.
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