School of Arts and Sciences

Frequently Asked Questions: Internships

Everything You've Always Wanted to Know about Internships

For two printable pages of academic Internship information, download and print the Academic Internship Information and Checklist.

What is an internship?
An internship is an approved and monitored work experience that is related to an academic field of study and meets specific learning goals. An internship is quite different from a regular job. We expect that you will have more flexibility to learn about the profession/career/industry where you are interning. Very importantly, an internship may mean that you are registered for academic credit. However, not all jobs will qualify for internship credit. It must be preprofessional in nature and be a learning experience. Every internship experience must be evaluated and approved through the Academic Internship Office, or through individual departments for departmental internships. If you have not had your internship approved by The Office of Experiential Learning (B-4 Thaw Hall), it is not eligible for credit (though you may still gain valuable job-related experience from a non-credit internship).

An internship for credit may be full- or part-time, located here in Pittsburgh or anywhere in the world and may be completed during the fall, spring or summer term. The internship may be directly related to your major or course of study.

If you are not registered for academic credit, we do not consider the experience to be an internship; it is a volunteer or a paid experience.

In general, you cannot be both an employee and an intern for the same company at the same time. Depending on the types of jobs the employer offers, you may be able to have an internship with the same employer if your internship work is substantially different from your current job (you are being paid to write JavaScript, but do an internship focusing on industrial management). Consult with if you have any questions about this.

I'm a student in the College of General Studies - can you help me find an internship?
Only Arts and Sciences undergraduates are eligible to receive internship advising from the Office of Experiential Learning. Non-Arts and Sciences students are welcome to use the Web site.

What are the requirements?
In order to do an internship for credit, you must:

  • Have already earned at least 36 credits earned before doing the internship
  • Have at least a 2.25 GPA (be in "good academic standing")
  • Understand that the credits earned during an internship are tied to the amount and type of academic work you complete during the internship.

These are the requirements for ARTSC 1900 Internships. Requirements through departments may vary. Check with your major advisor for specifics.

What if I want to do an internship in my major?
Consult with your departmental advisor.

Why should I do an internship?
You can explore different academic areas to help you decide or confirm a choice of major while doing an internship.

You can experiment with a new or different career-area by doing an internship without the commitment of actually pursuing it as a full-time job.

You can experience the "real world" of business and industry while testing and applying your classroom skills and knowledge during an internship.

You can earn academic credit for your internship, and an edge over other students after graduation!

Why should I do an academic internship (for credit)?
You will be earning credit -- internships are noted on your official transcripts. With the guidance of your professional supervisor and your faculty sponsor, you will connect the practical work of your internship with your academic work in the classroom. Your internship should help you in your studies, and your studies will help you with your internships.

How do I earn credit for an internship?
Before you begin the internship, you must discuss the internship with your work and faculty internship sponsors and you must complete the Academic Internship Learning Agreement (PDF). You earn credit by doing academic work related to the internship experience. Credit is not solely determined by the number of hours spent at the site; it is also determined by the type and amount or length of the academic work completed for the faculty sponsor. Academic work will vary by the type of internship and your specific faculty sponsor. Typical assignments may include journals, research papers, projects, essays, videos, artwork, case studies, etc. You must think creatively about your internship experience, and be creative in showing how the learning has occurred during your internship.

In order to be eligible for credit, you must complete the Academic Internship Learning Agreement and have it approved by both your faculty sponsor and the Office of Experiential Learning, The deadline for the Learning Agreement to be processed is the end of the add/drop period for the semester. The add/drop deadline is typically two weeks after the beginning of the semester; check with OEL for the Learning Agreement deadline for each term. We highly recommend that you arrange for the internship and get the Internship Learning Agreement completed and signed well in advance of the add/drop deadline.

How do I find an internship? How do I use FutureLinks?
To start your search for an internship, check the internship listings at FutureLinks, the University of Pittsburgh Career Services site.

How do I find a faculty sponsor?
Your faculty sponsor might be a professor that you have had for a class or someone with whom you would like to work. The faculty member determines the academic work to be done, which will vary by the professor.

Where can I do an internship?
You can do internships at many places on campus, in Oakland or across the country. While the internships usually take place in Pittsburgh, some students take a semester outside of Pittsburgh, and do internships in cities like Washington, New York, Boston, Los Angeles or Philadelphia. A few have done internships in foreign countries. Check our Internship Opportunities and Paid Internships pages, and FutureLinks.

Here are some common places for students to do internships:

Company/Organization

WPIC - Western Psychiatric Institute & Clinic
Allegheny County Office of the Medical Examiner
University of Pittsburgh, Study Abroad Office
Children's Institute
University of Pittsburgh, Office of Student Activities
UPMC Shadyside Elderlife Program
KDKA-TV & KDKA-AM
WQED Multimedia
Carnegie Museum of Art

How long and how much do I have to work?
Over the course of the term, you will need to work 40 hours per credit. In addition, you will have projects, journals, papers and other academic work to complete during the course of the internship. These tasks are outlined in your Academic Internship Learning Agreement (PDF) .

What are the credit limits for internships?
You may only earn 3 credits per term per internship. No more than 12 credits of internship may be applied to your degree. Check with your major advisor for any additional limitations within the major.

How are internships graded?
Internships are graded only on a Satisfactory/No Credit basis (S/NC). Although neither grade affects your GPA, only an S grade earns credit towards your degree.

How are internships verified?
Sites and experiences must be approved by the Academic Internship Office or by your department.

Do I pay for internship credit?
Yes. Internship credits are just like any other academic credits that you register for and pay for. Summer term tuition is on a per-credit rate. You must follow the regular University schedule for registration and you must pay your tuition bill on time.

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