Internship FAQs

Freshmen and Sophomores:  Non-credit experience only (paid or unpaid)
Juniors and Seniors:  Credit and paid, credit-only (non-paid), non-credit, paid, or unpaid
Graduate Students:  Requires program advisor approval

An internship for credit involves a site supervisor, a faculty internship advisor, and the student intern. The student must complete an internship application, have the internship site and credit hours approved by their faculty advisor, then register for the internship. Both field duties and academic work is expected of the student. Clocked hours, credit, a grade, and an evaluation complete the experience.

A non-credit internship involves a site supervisor, the Career Services & Internship Program Office, and the student intern. Students must obtain approval from an employer for a non-credit experience. Students are encouraged to keep a weekly journal.  No credit, grade, or evaluation is required.

A minimum of 45 clocked hours in the field is required for each credit hour granted in an internship or practicum.  Three credits equals 135 clocked hours for a 15 week semester (fall or spring) or 10 weeks during the summer.  Students may work between 10-15 hours on-site each week.

Yes, many of our current employers offer an hourly wage ranging from $12.00 – $17.00 per hour. Compensation is generally commensurate with experience and varies by industry and demand. Stipends are also an option that employers might consider.

An internship can be a paid or unpaid opportunity. Most of the internships that BSU students complete are funded either by a stipend and/or hourly wage. University policy allows students to earn credit for the internship whether it is paid or unpaid.

This is at the discretion of each faculty member. An example may be a site visit, one or two emails mid-semester, and/or sending the employer a performance evaluation two weeks prior to the completion of the student’s internship.

Handshake – If you already have a Handshake account, please add Bridgewater State University to your list of schools you work with.  You will then make your job and internship listings available to us and have access to registering for career fairs and on campus interview dates.

If you are not already using Handshake, visit: https://bridgew.joinhandshake.com/employer_registrations/new and create your company and profile.  Once approved, you will be able to post your opportunities.  For help creating your profile,  visit the Help Page.