How to Find Internships for College Credit

See how you can find the best college internships in your area.

College internships for college credit have been all over the news lately. A heated debate has arisen about whether the work college interns complete during an internship is really up to the standards of college classwork. But no matter the debate, the best college internships are still in great demand.

Usually, students seeking an internship need an academic sponsor whose job it is to make sure the work you will be doing is worthwhile to your college education.

Why? While many of these internships are unpaid, they are often great ways for students to get their foot in the door of many in demand career fields. Whether it’s entertainment or politics or advertising, college students are finding that college internships, good, bad, or otherwise, can lead to great career opportunities down the road.

Oh and you can also get college credit.

Let’s take a look at some tips to finding the best internships for college credit.

  • Your college internships search should start at your school. Remember, your goal is to get college credit for your internship. This means that your internship is going to have to abide by the standards of your college. It only makes sense, then, to start your search at your college’s career services office. Ask them if they know of any internships for college credit, available to students like you.
  • Understand the college internship guidelines. Usually, students seeking an internship need an academic sponsor whose job it is to make sure the work you will be doing is worthwhile to your college education. You may have to complete some coursework along with the internship, like an essay about what you learned at the internship. Each college has it’s own internship procedures, so again, it’s best to start your search with your own college.
  • Find out how many hours you will earn with your college internship. Colleges may award from 3 to 12 hours based on the internships academic worth. Make sure you know exactly how many hours you’ll be earning before signing on the bottom line.
  • If your college accept internships but doesn’t have any leads for you, start your own internship search. Thousands of companies are looking for interns, and they will often state that they can give college credit in exchange for your services. When you do find a company that offers college credit, make sure you get approval from your academic sponsor and the admissions department.
  • Don’t forget about tuition. Many of the best internships are unpaid, yet students still must pay tuition on each credit hour they earn during the internship. This can be especially worrisome during summer internships, when a student might not normally be accumulating college hours. Remember to figure these costs into your college budget, and keep this in mind when you’re deciding between a paid internship and an internship for college credit.

Scroll to Top