Academic Internships

An academic internship is an approved and supervised work experience that meets specific student learning goals related to an academic field of study. This work learning partnership between a student, the University and a host company or organization bears a direct relationship to a student's major and professional objectives and provides the opportunity for professional skills development. On-site work or projects are combined with reflective academic assignments that help students learn by doing.

At Cal State Fullerton, an academic internship is credit-bearing (1-3 units) and gives students academic credit (one credit is 40 hours of work) for work done at an internship site, while an internship does not. Cal State Fullerton students must enroll in a course and complete class requirements to participate in an academic internship. Almost every department at Cal State Fullerton offers an internship course, usually with the support of a Faculty Internship Coordinator. These learning experiences are jointly supervised by the site supervisor and Faculty Internship Coordinator.

General Site Guidelines:

• Provide a clear position description for the academic internship experience
• The position must be related to an academic field of study available at Cal State Fullerton
• At least 80% of the position should consist of pre-professional or professionally related work assignments and tasks; clerical work should be kept to a minimum
• Provide consistent supervision by a professional staff
• Provide orientation to the student and his or her specific assignments
• Meet with and provide feedback to the student on a regular basis
• Students are not permitted to drive or transport clients during academic internship hours