Document Type
Report
Publication Date
2026
Abstract
This guide establishes university-wide best practices for internships completed for academic credit (ACAF 2.03(H)). It is intended to support faculty, internship directors, and academic units in designing and supervising internships that are academically rigorous, safe for students, and compliant with accreditation and institutional policies. At the University of South Carolina, some academic units require internship credit as part of the degree, while many others offer internship courses that allow students to gain professional experience, apply their academic learning, and develop valuable professional networks. For internships that are not completed for academic credit, (e.g., Carolina Internship Program, J-1 Student Intern Program), refer to academic unit policies or support office guidelines. In some cases, the university may provide funding to support student internships that are not connected to academic credit. While these experiences fall outside formal coursework, they should still be guided by clear learning objectives and structured reflection to ensure they offer meaningful educational value and align with the university’s standards for academic rigor. The goal of a college-level internship is to bridge the gap between academic theory and professional practice by providing hands-on experience and opportunities to apply and refine disciplinary skills in a professional environment. Internships also allow students to explore potential career paths while strengthening their readiness for employment. According to a 2022 National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) student survey, students who completed paid internships averaged 1.61 job offers, compared with 0.94 offers for students who completed unpaid internships and 0.77 offers for students who did not participate in an internship. In most circumstances, credit-bearing internships with for-profit entities should be paid, whereas internships with government and nonprofit entities might be unpaid. These guidelines align with expectations from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), the Center for Integrative and Experiential Learning’s Experiential Learning Opportunity (ELO) framework, the USC Career Center's internships and Co-Ops, and internships embedded within academic degree programs or offered through individual academic units. The guide also reflects relevant federal and state regulations governing student employment, workplace safety, and institutional risk management.
Rights
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