5 steps for getting credit for your internship
1. Talk to your academic supervisor
Ask if you can earn credit for an internship placement, and how. If your school grants credit for internships, then ask for the list of requirements. For example, your university may have rules about the number of hours you must complete, the type of internship position, or about your internship host company.
If your school or major will not grant credit directly, ask if you can transfer credit from another university. The Intern Group provides a transcript option through our partnership with Florida A&M University and you may be eligible to earn transfer credit. Again, you should ask your advisor for a list of requirements – for example, your university may regulate the number of credit hours, or may require a certain type of grade (letter or pass-fail.)
For more information about this option, read the FAQ below, or ask your Admissions Officer in step 2.
2. Complete your interview with The Intern Group
All of our internship programs begin with an admissions interview. During your interview with The Intern Group, be sure to tell the Admissions Officer that you will be doing the internship for credit.
If you will be earning credit from your own school, then please tell us about any requirements your university has, as this may affect your program choice. Also, please send any relevant documents from your university to your interviewer after the call, so we can add them to your file.
If you are interested in earning transfer credit, your Admissions Officer can advise you about requirements and costs. You can also email us anytime at [email protected]
3. If you are accepted into The Intern Group’s program, go back to your academic supervisor
They will be able to tell you the next steps in the university’s procedure to formally apply for getting academic credit for your placement. At the same time, confirm your place in our internship program by paying your deposit.
4. Work with country coordinator to arrange your placement
Once you have confirmed your place in the program, our placement team will work with you to find the best match for you based on your career interests, past experience, and university requirements. Make sure you keep us updated on any requests or deadlines given by your university, and be sure to allow enough time if you need documents or information in order to fulfill the credit requirements.
5. Complete your internship
During your internship program, take care to meet all of your university’s deadlines and requirements, as it may be difficult to complete any forgotten tasks once you are back home. Your academic supervisor may provide you with tools to record and reflect on your professional experience, but if not, we can provide you with example documents and resources.
FAQ
1. Can I get academic credit for my internship program with The Intern Group?
Only your academic advisor can answer this question. Start with Step 1 of the 5-step process above, and proceed from there. If you have questions for The Intern Group regarding our School of Record options, write to us at [email protected]
2. Is it better to earn credit from my own school, or from The Intern Group's school of record?
Generally, it is simpler and more common to earn credit from your own institution. However, you should work together with your academic advisor to answer this question, based on your school’s requirements, your own preferences, and the dates, details, and costs of each option.
3. What is a School of Record?
The Forum on Education Abroad defines this as “a U.S. accredited institution of higher education that officially documents and awards credits for programs or institutions that are not accredited in the U.S.” The school of record verifies and documents the educational value of the program, and issues a transcript to students, documenting their completion of the “course” and the credits earned. The school of record charges a fee for this service. The Intern Group has a school of record; further details can be found below.
4. Can I earn transfer credit from a school of record if I am studying at a university outside of the US?
Possibly, but only your academic advisor can answer for certain.
5. Can I earn transfer credit from a school of record if I am not currently in school?
No. In order to register for credit from a school of record, you must be currently enrolled in an accredited institution of higher learning.
6. What are The Intern Group's School of Record options?
If you will not earn credit from your own institution, you may be eligible to enroll in The Intern Group’s transcript option.
With the transcript option, you pay a small additional fee to The Intern Group, and we will register you with Florida A&M University, an accredited public university located in the USA. After you have completed all of the program requirements, you will be eligible to receive a transcript from the university, showing that you have earned credit for completing our internship program.
7. How does the transcript option work?
You will pay a transcript fee of $450 to The Intern Group, in addition to your normal program fee. During the program, you will need to log in to our online course system (Moodle) to complete some assignments. After your program ends, Florida A&M will issue a transcript, showing that you have completed course number ISS 3940 at that university, representing a general internship.
The number of credit hours depends on the length of your internship placement. As always, be sure to speak with your academic advisor and confirm your institution’s requirements.
The Intern Group will be happy to communicate with your advisor at your own school to help determine if the school of record transcript option is suitable for you. Remember that only your own school can determine how and whether you receive credit, so don’t enroll in this option without prior agreement from your school. Please reach out to us at [email protected] to begin this process.
You will need to determine the answer to this question in consultation with your academic advisor. In general terms: Your own university is usually the easiest option. The transcript option has a low cost, but some forms of financial aid may not cover the transcript fee.
Only you, in consultation with your academic supervisor and financial aid counselor, can decide which option is best for you.
8. When should I make my choice?
You must tell your Admissions Officer that you are interested in academic credit, and you must make your final choice by the time you confirm your place in The Intern Group’s program by paying a deposit. If you wait too long after this date to make your arrangements, it may no longer be possible to satisfy all of the requirements.
9. When will I receive my credit or transcript?
If you are earning credit from your own institution, then your registrar or academic advisor can answer this question for you. If you are earning credit through the transcript option, Florida A&M University issues transcripts several times per year, coinciding with their academic calendar. The transcript issuance date may be up to several months after the end of your internship program.
10. How do I get started?
Please email [email protected] for more information on the FAMU school of record transcript option and the forms. You should be sure to show this information to your academic advisor before enrolling in the course.