Internship Policy

Policy Statement

Internships are one of the many high-impact learning opportunities SUNY Oneonta 

provides for students. They allow students to explore their interests; build on and complement learning in courses; work with professionals and practitioners in the field; and gain relevant career experiences and competencies. Internships also frequently present networking opportunities and can help level the playing field for students without family and friend connections on which to draw. 

Rationale

This policy enumerates the requirements needed to ensure that all internships are designed to meet the learning outcomes established by Faculty Internship Instructor and to ensure students are sufficiently prepared and supported in the internships they undertake.

Applicability of the Policy

This policy applies to students matriculated in undergraduate programs. Undergraduate internships are available in credit- bearing and non-credit bearing, paid or unpaid internships, for off- and on-campus opportunities.

Policy Elaboration

1. Minimum student eligibility requirements for undergraduate internships include:
   1. Enrollment in a SUNY Oneonta Undergraduate academic program.
   2. 12 s.h. of SUNY Oneonta coursework.
   3. Good academic standing.
   4. Departments may have additional, discipline-specific internship prerequisites and/or requirements.
2. Credit is granted for fulfillment of course learning outcomes and completion of all other course requirements.
   1. Under the SUNY Credit/Contact Hour Policy, Section V (Document 1305, Effective June 30, 1976): At its discretion, an institution may award credit hours for learning acquired outside the institution which is an integral part of a program of study. When life or work experience is to be credited as a concurrent portion of an academic program design, as in an internship, one semester credit hour will be awarded for each 40-45 clock-hour week of supervised academic activity that provides the learning considered necessary to program study.
   2. Eligible students may register for a maximum number of internship credits in keeping with the Maximum Credit Per Term Policy for undergraduate students.
   3. Students enrolled in an approved SUNY Oneonta internship are liable for Oneonta tuition and fees.
   4. Internship course content is established by the Faculty Internship Instructor.
   5. Specific internship activities may be proposed by the Intern and Site Supervisor for approval by the Faculty Internship Instructor.
3. Maximum number of credits in internship that can be applied to a student’s degree program:
   1. 30 credits toward an undergraduate degree.
4. The student’s immediate family, or employees of the student’s immediate family, may not serve as Site Supervisors. Faculty members may not serve as both Faculty Internship Coordinator and Site Supervisor for the same internship.
5. The Faculty Internship Coordinator or Faculty Internship Instructor, Academic Department Chair, and Academic School Dean will approve an internship experience.
   1. Internships may be denied for reasons including, but not limited to, the activities’ relevance to the learning outcomes, a student’s program of study, or established interests.
6. Memoranda of Agreement (MOA) must be in place for certain types of internships, including internships in clinical settings, working with children, or other vulnerable populations.
7. Students must meet eligibility criteria at the start of the term in which the internship will be served.
8. The University does not guarantee that every internship which is applied for will be approved.
9. Student internship registration must precede the start of the internship experience according to the University’s published registration deadlines. Retroactive approval for internships will not be granted. 

Definitions

1. CPNC: Career Planning and Networking Center
2. Competency: Learnable, measurable and/or observable knowledge and skill sets gained. The SUNY Oneonta CPNC adheres to the NACE (National Association of Colleges and Employers) “Career Readiness Competencies” listed here: (1) Career and Self-Development; (2) Communication; (3) Critical Thinking; (4) Equity and Inclusion;  (5) Leadership; (6) Professionalism; (7) Teamwork; and (8) Technology.
3. Faculty Member Roles: The faculty member serves as the instructor of record; develops the internship learning outcomes; helps student prepare for the internship experience; collaborates with the student and Site Supervisor to ensure alignment of learning activities with learning outcomes; and facilitates ongoing reflection throughout the internship experience. The faculty member is responsible for assessing student learning in the internship and awarding the final grade.
   1. Faculty Internship Coordinator is a faculty member or academic chair who administers the internship program within an academic department.
   2. Faculty Internship Instructor is a faculty member who instructs and supervises the student during the internship. This role required familiarity with the purposes and operation of the internship.
4. Intern: A student registered for the internship experience.
5. Internship Site: The physical or virtual location where the internship occurs. Note: remote internships (i.e., internships performed online) do not have a traditional “site” but instead are typically completed through a virtual platform.
6. Site Supervisor: The professional overseeing the physical or virtual internship. Site Supervisors work with Faculty Internship Coordinators or Faculty Internship Instructor to ensure that learning activities are appropriate to deliver the learning outcomes.

Procedures

1. Students may request assistance from faculty and CPNC staff.
2. Faculty Internship Coordinator or Faculty Internship Instructor develop a syllabus with learning outcomes that align with internship activities.
3. Students submit in Handshake for approval the Internship Application/Learning Agreement and the course syllabus. Instructions are on the CPNC website and CPNC staff are available to assist.
4. The Faculty Internship Instructor, the Site Supervisor, the Academic Department Chair, and the Academic School Dean must approve of the internship.
5. CPNC staff registers the student for the internship.
6. Students may be eligible to apply for funding to support internships and CPNC staff are available to assist with funding applications.

Forms

Not applicable

Contacts

Questions related to the daily operational interpretation of this policy should be directed to:

Office of the Provost  
(607) 436-2696
provost@oneonta.edu 

Related Documents / Policies

Internship Application/Learning Agreement

Maximum Credit Per Term Policy (undergraduate)

SUNY Criteria for Approved Applied Learning

SUNY Credit/Contact Hour Policy

Effective Dates

• Approved by the Provost on 5/30/25