For questions about internships at Bethany Lutheran College, contact the Career Development Center.
Internship Handbook- Revised July 2025
Student Section
Definition of an Internship
An internship is a student-motivated, employer-planned, and directed learning experience that provides an opportunity to integrate academic, professional, and personal skill development. Students have the opportunity to gain valuable applied experience and to enhance skill development in a professional setting. The internship experience involves an academic relationship between the student, faculty advisor, and the employer. Internships generally span an academic term, may be paid or unpaid, and are for academic credit.
Philosophy & Objectives
The benefit of doing an internship is experiential learning. Internships are designed to accomplish as many of the following objectives as possible:
- Extend the student’s learning through direct experience in a related job or profession.
- Experience the demands and opportunities essential to success in the workplace.
- Sample a career path to explore alignment with the student’s interests and abilities.
- Begin networking in the profession in ways helpful for the future.
Academic Policy
- Internships are available to any student with a minimum of 60 earned credits and should be in the student’s area of academic study.
- Students applying for an internship must have a minimum 2.0 GPA and have the approval of a faculty advisor within their major of study. If a students current academic advisor is not within the major, they must obtain approval from a professor who teaches in the major.
- Interns must have a site supervisor at the internship worksite with whom they meet on a regular basis. Site supervisor cannot be an immediate relative of the intern.
- One academic credit is earned for every 45 hours per semester. For example, one academic credit equates to approximately 3 hours of work per week during the fall and spring semesters, or approximately 4.5 hours of work per week during the summer term.
- Academic credit must be awarded in the term in which the internship takes place. The semester listed on the Internship Registration Form should reflect the term in which a majority of internship hours will occur.
- A completed Internship Registration Form must be in place before the internship begins.
- Student interns are required to meet with the Bethany faculty advisor midway through the internship to assess the progress.
Tuition for Credit
Tuition for internship credits is the same as for other credits earned at Bethany Lutheran College. Students applying for summer internships will be invoiced $75 per credit for the number of credits registered for during the summer months.
Learning Experience
An internship is a learning experience. Certain things are learned more effectively through experience, and internships provide that opportunity. A grade for an internship is based on what you can show you learned during the internship, not solely on the evaluation of your performance. Your Bethany faculty advisor evaluates the quality of the learning experience.
Professional Experience
An internship can be a great start to your professional experience. Since your internship will be supervised by a professional within your field, you will have the opportunity to gain real world experience. Many employers value hiring someone who has had an internship experience; therefore, when you are competing for a particular position in a given field, your internship may prove beneficial. A good way to maximize your internship experience is to begin to build a professional network.
Workload
Most students report working just as hard if not harder on their internships as they do for classes on campus. Pursuing an internship along with several other classes creates a demanding schedule and requires a lot of time and energy. It is recommended to plan for a lighter class load when participating in your internship.
Representation
When participating in an internship you are representing yourself, your department, and Bethany Lutheran College as a whole. Since you are representing more than just yourself, it is important to demonstrate the values and mission of the college in a professional manner.
- Academic credit will be granted upon successful completion of the internship.
- In order to receive credit, the internship must be related to your academic major.
- Credits cannot be retroactively applied. An internship should not begin until after the internship has been approved. Any hours worked by the intern prior to the approval of the internship do not apply toward the internship requirements.
- Academic credit is awarded by participating departments. The total amount of credit varies based upon the nature of the work, the academic projects, and the amount of time spent on the job. A minimum of 45 hours of work for each credit earned is required.
- Letter Grades are earned based on the final evaluation from the site supervisor and the final assessment(s). The final internship grade is assigned by the students’ internship academic advisor.
- A maximum of 12 credit hours obtained through internships may be applied toward graduation requirements. Check with the individual department as to the maximum number of credits allowed for application towards each major.
Bethany Lutheran College seeks to provide interested students with experiential learning internship opportunities that complement their academic preparation with direct practical experience that leads to academic, personal, and career growth. Organizations sponsoring Bethany interns provide an invaluable service to student development. Bethany grants academic credit for these internship experiences; however, Bethany makes no other assurances about the experience, the site, or the arrangements that the student may make in connection with this opportunity.
Student Responsibilities
Students seeking credit for an internship agree to:
- Submit the Internship Registration Form online and electronically obtain approval from the Faculty Advisor who is supervising the internship, the Internship Site Supervisor, Career Development Center Director, and the Registrar. (Note: International students completing a paid internship will also need to obtain approval from the international office.)
- Conduct their own due diligence in regard to the internship duties and working conditions prior to beginning the internship.
- Perform to the best of their ability any tasks assigned to them.
- Follow the rules, regulations, and requirements of the sponsoring organization.
- Notify the Career Development Center and make their Faculty Advisor aware of any problems that may develop during the internship.
- Maintain sufficient health and accident insurance to cover them during the internship.
- Maintain insurance on their personal vehicle if used to travel to and from the internship site.
- Be responsible to collect any wages due and to pay any taxes on income from the internship as applicable.
- Be responsible for any accident or injury suffered during the course of the internship.
- Observe standards of conduct and professionalism that will promote the continuance of future internships for Bethany students.
Bethany does not knowingly approve internships opportunities which pose an undue risk to participants, nor does the college conduct reviews of all internship sites. Internship travel to and from the site carries with it inherent risk beyond Bethany’s control. Students agree to hold Bethany Lutheran College harmless for any injuries sustained during the internship. This includes travel to and from the internship site. Bethany Lutheran College reserves the right to cancel, change, or substitute an internship in cases of emergency or changed conditions, or in the general interest of the Internship Program. This includes any changes necessary for protection from potentially dangerous conditions.
Note: Submitting the Internship Registration Form indicates that you have read and understand the above requirements. Your submission of the Internship Registration form means that you agree to abide by the terms and conditions as described in this section.
Students interested in obtaining an internship must meet with their faculty advisor to discuss opportunities and begin résumé preparation prior to the start of the internship search. It is best to begin this a minimum of two semesters prior to the intended internship semester.
Steps to Beginning an Internship
The initiative for all of these steps lies with the student.
- Situate an internship in the development of your academic plan.
- Locate a potential internship site. Your Handshake account is an excellent place to begin.
- Prepare a résumé, cover letter, and portfolio (if necessary). Use resources on campus, such as the Writing Center or the Career Development Center, to fine-tune these. Have your faculty advisor approve these and then proceed to apply for the internship through the employer.
- Interview for the internship, if necessary, and secure a list of responsibilities from the employer.
- In consultation with the faculty advisor, develop learning objectives and fill out the Internship Registration Form.
- The Internship Registration form will be electronically sent to your faculty advisor, your internship site supervisor, and the Career Development Center Director for approval.
- The Registrar’s office will enroll you in the appropriate course for the internship (1–12 credits). The Registrar will not accept student registration for any internship course without the fully-approved registration form.
Note: All of the above must be completed before the internship is actually begun. Any hours worked by the intern prior to the approval of the internship do not apply toward the internship requirements.
During the Internship
The student is responsible for representing Bethany Lutheran College in a professional manner. This can be accomplished when the student adopts the following guidelines:
- Report to the internship site/workplace on time and when scheduled.
- Dress professionally.
- Behave in a professional and ethical manner during the entire process.
- Show initiative; set goals and prioritize.
- Observe confidentiality.
- Learn everything possible about the position and the worksite.
- Contact your faculty advisor throughout the internship to discuss progress toward attaining learning goals and completion of academic activities.
- Communicate all problems that arise during the internship to your faculty advisor.
Communication
Clear communication is key to an effective internship. The following guidelines suggest how to establish a good communication network during the internship experience:
- Understand the job description as discussed with the site supervisor and know the learning objectives as formulated with your faculty advisor to prepare you to get the most out of your internship.
- Schedule regular meetings with your site supervisor to discuss new and past assignments, answer any questions, and discuss the dynamics of the organization.
- Communicate all problems that arise during the internship to your faculty advisor, who will guide you in the proper means to handle the situation.
- Inquire about opportunities to attend meetings, corporate events, or networking events, if possible.
- Discuss career entries and long-term career paths in the field.
We strongly encourage students to submit internship registration forms as early in the semester as possible to ensure sufficient time for approval and planning. Although the official deadline is midterm, exceptions may be granted under certain circumstances. These exceptions are contingent upon the student’s ability to complete all required hours within the remaining weeks of the semester and approval from the students internship academic advisor, internship site supervisor, career development, and registrar.
Posting Date: October 30, 2024
Posting Date: October 30, 2024
Posting Date: October 30, 2024
Posting Date: October 30, 2024
Faculty Section
The faculty advisor supports the academic aspects of the internship. The faculty advisor ensures that the experience qualifies as an internship and not simply a work experience performed by a student. The role includes serving as a mentor to students by using expertise and leadership to guide students in the development of academically sound and realistically appropriate knowledge, skills, and attitudes. The faculty advisor assists the student intern in formulating attainable and measurable learning outcomes. The assessment of the internship and assignment of a final grade for the course lies in the hands of the faculty advisor.
To be considered a legitimate internship, all the following criteria must be met (National Association of Colleges and Employers [NACE], 2022):
- The experience must be an extension of the classroom: a learning experience that provides for applying the knowledge gained in the classroom. It must not be simply to advance the operations of the employer or be the work that a regular employee would routinely perform.
- The skills or knowledge learned must be transferable to other employment settings.
- The experience has a defined beginning and end, and a job description with desired qualifications.
- There are clearly defined learning objectives/goals related to the professional goals of the student’s academic coursework.
- There is supervision by a professional with expertise and educational and/or professional background in the field of the experience.
- There is routine feedback by the experienced supervisor.
- There are resources, equipment, and facilities provided by the host employer that support learning objectives/goals.
As faculty advisor, you are involved in assisting the intern in areas 1 and 4 from above. The role of the faculty advisor involves monitoring progress of the academic goals in the process of the internship. This can be accomplished through the following:
- Discussions regarding the importance of the internship experience start in the early years of the student’s academic career. The student’s four-year course of study will likely include at least one internship. The faculty advisor can work with the student to help determine what types of opportunities best fit their interests and abilities.
- The faculty advisor meets with the student, prior to the start of the internship, to complete the Internship Registration Form. The advisor and student design an agreement containing learning objectives and evaluation methods to assure learning objectives are achieved. The aim and tasks of the internship should be based upon the SMART principle: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-based. The document must be electronically signed by the intern, faculty advisor, internship site supervisor, career development and registrar prior to the beginning of the internship.
- Academic assessments are used to measure the student’s worksite performance and synthesis of the academic learning with workplace activities. These assessments are used as determining factors in the final internship grade. They may include employer assessments, journals, written or oral research reports, presentations, examinations, class/seminar attendance, or any other academic activity deemed appropriate by the supervising faculty advisor.
- The final grade for the course is recommended to be based 50% on the evaluation by the site supervisor and 50% on the faculty advisor’s evaluation of the academic assessment.
- The final grade for the internship will be decided on and assigned by the faculty advisor.
Prior to Internship
- When developing an academic plan with your advisees, include an internship as part of the plan. Internships are upper-division courses to be taken upon reaching Junior status.
- Approve your advisee’s resume and cover letter after these have been edited. Resources include the Writing Center and the Career Development Center
- Design academic learning outcomes and assessments for the internship experience with your advisee.
- Approve the student’s completed Internship Registration Form (or work with them to revise and resubmit it as needed). The academic learning outcomes from the previous step are recorded on this form. The Internship Registration Form is a contract and must also be approved by the Internship Site Supervisor, career development, and registrar. International students completing a paid internship will also obtain approval from the International Office so that the necessary paperwork can be completed for the student to be paid.
Midway Through Internship
- Employers are advised to contact the Career Development office if there are any issues related to the internship. If any issues arise, career development will notify you as soon as possible.
- Meet with the student to discuss the internship and check in to see how the student is progressing on the path of meeting the academic objectives.
Last Few Weeks of Internship
- Two weeks prior to the end of the internship, remind the student to complete any internship assignments that you might have assigned to them at the beginning of the internship.
- The Site Supervisor will be asked to submit a final evaluation through the Career Development Center. Access this information to help the student improve.
- Using the internship evaluation to assist in determining the final internship grade and submit to the Registrar.
- Assign the final grade based approximately 50% on the Site Supervisor’s final evaluation and 50% on all internship assessments. Submit this final grade through MyBLC or the Registrar’s Office.
Internship Progress Feedback
Internship site supervisors and students are instructed to report internship issues to the Bethany Career Development Center at any point during the internship. Issues that need follow up will be forwarded to the student’s academic advisor.
Final Assessment of Internships
At the end of each internship the Career Development Center will contact each site supervisor of the student interns. Site supervisors will be asked to complete the Final Evaluation Form. The site supervisor will be asked to go over the final evaluation with each student intern similar to a performance review. The final evaluation form will be accessible to the Career Development Center and faculty advisor upon completion. This evaluation should make up approximately 50% of the student intern’s final grade.
The faculty advisor supports the academic aspects of the internship. The faculty advisor ensures that the experience qualifies as an internship and not simply a work experience performed by a student. The role includes serving as a mentor to students by using expertise and leadership to guide students in the development of academically sound and realistically appropriate knowledge, skills, and attitudes. The faculty advisor assists the student intern in formulating attainable and measurable learning outcomes. The assessment of the internship and assignment of a final grade for the course lies in the hands of the faculty advisor.
To be considered a legitimate internship, all the following criteria must be met (National Association of Colleges and Employers [NACE], 2022):
- The experience must be an extension of the classroom: a learning experience that provides for applying the knowledge gained in the classroom. It must not be simply to advance the operations of the employer or be the work that a regular employee would routinely perform.
- The skills or knowledge learned must be transferable to other employment settings.
- The experience has a defined beginning and end, and a job description with desired qualifications.
- There are clearly defined learning objectives/goals related to the professional goals of the student’s academic coursework.
- There is supervision by a professional with expertise and educational and/or professional background in the field of the experience.
- There is routine feedback by the experienced supervisor.
- There are resources, equipment, and facilities provided by the host employer that support learning objectives/goals.
As faculty advisor, you are involved in assisting the intern in areas 1 and 4 from above. The role of the faculty advisor involves monitoring progress of the academic goals in the process of the internship. This can be accomplished through the following:
- Discussions regarding the importance of the internship experience start in the early years of the student’s academic career. The student’s four-year course of study will likely include at least one internship. The faculty advisor can work with the student to help determine what types of opportunities best fit their interests and abilities.
- The faculty advisor meets with the student, prior to the start of the internship, to complete the Internship Registration Form. The advisor and student design an agreement containing learning objectives and evaluation methods to assure learning objectives are achieved. The aim and tasks of the internship should be based upon the SMART principle: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-based. The document must be electronically signed by the intern, faculty advisor, internship site supervisor, career development and registrar prior to the beginning of the internship.
- Academic assessments are used to measure the student’s worksite performance and synthesis of the academic learning with workplace activities. These assessments are used as determining factors in the final internship grade. They may include employer assessments, journals, written or oral research reports, presentations, examinations, class/seminar attendance, or any other academic activity deemed appropriate by the supervising faculty advisor.
- The final grade for the course is recommended to be based 50% on the evaluation by the site supervisor and 50% on the faculty advisor’s evaluation of the academic assessment.
- The final grade for the internship will be decided on and assigned by the faculty advisor.
Prior to Internship
- When developing an academic plan with your advisees, include an internship as part of the plan. Internships are upper-division courses to be taken upon reaching Junior status.
- Approve your advisee’s resume and cover letter after these have been edited. Resources include the Writing Center and the Career Development Center
- Design academic learning outcomes and assessments for the internship experience with your advisee.
- Approve the student’s completed Internship Registration Form (or work with them to revise and resubmit it as needed). The academic learning outcomes from the previous step are recorded on this form. The Internship Registration Form is a contract and must also be approved by the Internship Site Supervisor, career development, and registrar. International students completing a paid internship will also obtain approval from the International Office so that the necessary paperwork can be completed for the student to be paid.
Midway Through Internship
- Employers and students are advised to contact the Career Development office if there are any issues related to the internship. If any issues arise, career development will notify you as soon as possible.
- Meet with the student to discuss the internship and check in to see how the student is progressing on the path of meeting the academic objectives.
Last Few Weeks of Internship
- Two weeks prior to the end of the internship, remind the student to complete any internship assignments that you might have assigned to them at the beginning of the internship.
- The Site Supervisor will be asked to submit a final evaluation through the Career Development Center.
- The Career Development Center will send out completed internship evaluations to the students’ academic advisor.
- Assign the final grade based approximately 50% on the Site Supervisor’s final evaluation and 50% on all internship assessments. Submit this final grade through MyBLC or the Registrar’s Office. On the rare occasion that an employer does not complete the internship final evaluation form, career development will notify you and discuss what steps should be taken to determine a final internship grade.
Internship Feedback/Updates
Internship site supervisors and students are instructed to report internship issues to the Bethany Career Development Center at any point during the internship. Issues that need follow up will be forwarded to the student’s academic advisor.
Final Assessment of Internships
At the end of each internship the Career Development Center will contact each site supervisor of the student interns. Site supervisors will be asked to complete the Final Evaluation Form. The site supervisor will be asked to go over the final evaluation with each student intern similar to a performance review. The final evaluation form will be accessible to the Career Development Center and faculty advisor upon completion. This evaluation should make up approximately 50% of the student intern’s final grade.
The faculty advisor supports the academic aspects of the internship. The faculty advisor ensures that the experience qualifies as an internship and not simply a work experience performed by a student. The role includes serving as a mentor to students by using expertise and leadership to guide students in the development of academically sound and realistically appropriate knowledge, skills, and attitudes. The faculty advisor assists the student intern in formulating attainable and measurable learning outcomes. The assessment of the internship and assignment of a final grade for the course lies in the hands of the faculty advisor.
To be considered a legitimate internship, all the following criteria must be met (National Association of Colleges and Employers [NACE], 2022):
- The experience must be an extension of the classroom: a learning experience that provides for applying the knowledge gained in the classroom. It must not be simply to advance the operations of the employer or be the work that a regular employee would routinely perform.
- The skills or knowledge learned must be transferable to other employment settings.
- The experience has a defined beginning and end, and a job description with desired qualifications.
- There are clearly defined learning objectives/goals related to the professional goals of the student’s academic coursework.
- There is supervision by a professional with expertise and educational and/or professional background in the field of the experience.
- There is routine feedback by the experienced supervisor.
- There are resources, equipment, and facilities provided by the host employer that support learning objectives/goals.
As faculty advisor, you are involved in assisting the intern in areas 1 and 4 from above. The role of the faculty advisor involves monitoring progress of the academic goals in the process of the internship. This can be accomplished through the following:
- Discussions regarding the importance of the internship experience start in the early years of the student’s academic career. The student’s four-year course of study will likely include at least one internship. The faculty advisor can work with the student to help determine what types of opportunities best fit their interests and abilities.
- The faculty advisor meets with the student, prior to the start of the internship, to complete the Internship Registration Form. The advisor and student design an agreement containing learning objectives and evaluation methods to assure learning objectives are achieved. The aim and tasks of the internship should be based upon the SMART principle: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-based. The document must be electronically signed by the intern, faculty advisor, internship site supervisor, career development and registrar prior to the beginning of the internship.
- Academic assessments are used to measure the student’s worksite performance and synthesis of the academic learning with workplace activities. These assessments are used as determining factors in the final internship grade. They may include employer assessments, journals, written or oral research reports, presentations, examinations, class/seminar attendance, or any other academic activity deemed appropriate by the supervising faculty advisor.
- The final grade for the course is recommended to be based 50% on the evaluation by the site supervisor and 50% on the faculty advisor’s evaluation of the academic assessment.
- The final grade for the internship will be decided on and assigned by the faculty advisor.
Prior to Internship
- When developing an academic plan with your advisees, include an internship as part of the plan. Internships are upper-division courses to be taken upon reaching Junior status.
- Approve your advisee’s resume and cover letter after these have been edited. Resources include the Writing Center and the Career Development Center
- Design academic learning outcomes and assessments for the internship experience with your advisee.
- Approve the student’s completed Internship Registration Form (or work with them to revise and resubmit it as needed). The academic learning outcomes from the previous step are recorded on this form. The Internship Registration Form is a contract and must also be approved by the Internship Site Supervisor, career development, and registrar. International students completing a paid internship will also obtain approval from the International Office so that the necessary paperwork can be completed for the student to be paid.
Midway Through Internship
- Employers and students are advised to contact the Career Development office if there are any issues related to the internship. If any issues arise, career development will notify you as soon as possible.
- Meet with the student to discuss the internship and check in to see how the student is progressing on the path of meeting the academic objectives.
Last Few Weeks of Internship
- Two weeks prior to the end of the internship, remind the student to complete any internship assignments that you might have assigned to them at the beginning of the internship.
- The Site Supervisor will be asked to submit a final evaluation through the Career Development Center.
- The Career Development Center will send out completed internship evaluations to the students’ academic advisor. On the rare occasion that an internship evaluation is not returned from the employer, the advisor should meet with the student to discuss internship results and submit a grade based on findings.
- Assign the final grade based approximately 50% on the Site Supervisor’s final evaluation and 50% on all internship assessments. Submit this final grade through MyBLC or the Registrar’s Office.
Internship Progress Feedback
Internship site supervisors and students are instructed to report internship issues to the Bethany Career Development Center at any point during the internship. Issues that need follow up will be forwarded to the student’s academic advisor.
Final Assessment of Internships
At the end of each internship the Career Development Center will contact each site supervisor of the student interns. Site supervisors will be asked to complete the Final Evaluation Form. The site supervisor will be asked to go over the final evaluation with each student intern similar to a performance review. The final evaluation form will be accessible to the Career Development Center and faculty advisor upon completion. This evaluation should make up approximately 50% of the student intern’s final grade.
Employer Section
Internships at Bethany Lutheran College
An internship is a student-motivated, employer-planned, and directed learning experience that provides an opportunity to integrate academic, professional, and personal skill development. Students have the opportunity to gain valuable applied experience and to enhance skill development in a professional setting. The internship experience involves an academic relationship between the student, faculty advisor, and the employer. Internships generally span an academic term, may be paid or unpaid, and are for academic credit.
The employer should identify the specific terms and conditions of employment and should discuss these with the prospective intern, so there are no misunderstandings regarding the internship. Terms of employment are left solely to the employer and the student.
Employer Role in Internships
- The student(s) will ask you to approve their Internship Registration Form. You will be required to approve the form before the student(s) can earn academic credit.
- Report internship issues to the Bethany Career Development Center at any point throughout the internship by emailing careerdevelopment@blc.edu. The Career Development team will work with the student’s academic advisor to assist in troubleshooting any issues that arise.
- At the conclusion of the internship, you will complete a final evaluation to provide a current assessment of the performance and progress of the student intern. We encourage you to review this evaluation with the intern as it will guide in his/her personal and professional development.
- The final evaluation of the student intern’s performance will help the faculty advisor assign the grade. However, the final grade will be at the faculty advisor’s discretion.