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Academic Internship/Cooperative Education courses are unique opportunities for "hands-on" job experience with directed academic learning. Through internships students weave opportunities for working and learning at the same time. The program features systematic cooperation between the university and an extensive number of employers in the Puget Sound community, though a student may participate in an academic internship experience anywhere in the world.
Students gain an appreciation of the relationship between theory and
application, and may learn first hand about new developments in a
particular field. An Academic Internship experience enables students to
become aware of the changing dimensions of work. It is a key component
in PLU's fabric of investigative learning.
FACULTY: Herbert-Hill, Director
An academic internship accommodates both part-time and full-time work schedules. Part-time work allows students to take on-campus courses concurrently. A full-time work experience requires students to dedicate the entire term to their co-op employment. In most cases, students will follow one or the other, but some departments or schools may develop sequences that combine both full-time and part-time work options.
To be eligible for admission into an Academic Internship or Co-op course, a student must have completed 28 semester hours or 12 semester credits for transfer students and be in good standing.
Students who wish to enroll in an Academic Internship must contact their department faculty or the Director of the Co-op Program to determine eligibility, terms for placement, areas of interest, academic requirements, and kinds of positions available.
Students are responsible for completing a Learning Agreement
including learning objectives, related activities, and academic
documentation of learning during their Academic Internship
experience. Each student must arrange for academic supervision from a
faculty sponsor. Faculty are responsible for insuring that the work
experience provides appropriate learning opportunities, for helping to
establish the learning agreement, and for determining a grade.
Documentation of learning is established with a "Learning Agreement"
and usually includes completing academic assignments and projects and
periodic contact with the faculty sponsor. Learning is guided by an
on-site supervisor who acts as a professional role model and mentor.
The Learning Agreement, developed by each student with the assistance
of a faculty sponsor, lists learning objectives, a description of how
those objectives will be accomplished, and how the student will
document what they have learned. The Learning Agreement is signed by
the student, the faculty sponsor, the program director, and the work
supervisor, each of whom receives a copy. Contact (personal, phone,
electronic, etc.) between the faculty sponsor and the student must be
sufficient to allow the sponsor to serve as a resource and provide
academic supervision. Site visits may be made by the faculty sponsor or
the Co-op program director in agreement with the faculty sponsor.
Employers are responsible to: (1) provide opportunities for students to achieve their learning objectives within the limits of their work settings; (2) help students develop skills related to the contextual aspects of the work world (such as relationships with co-workers); and (3) facilitate students' integration into their work setting so that their employment proves valuable and productive.
Students are required to register for at least one semester hour after accepting an Academic Internship position. Throughout an undergraduate academic career a student may receive a maximum of 16 semester hours of credit through the Academic Internship/Co-op courses.
AICE 276: Part-Time Internship
A supervised educational experience in a work setting on a part-time basis, no less than two four-hour work periods per week. Intended for students who have not yet declared a major or for students seeking an exploratory experience. Requires the completion of a Learning Agreement in consultation with a faculty sponsor. (1 to 8)
AICE 476: Part-Time Advanced Internship
A
supervised educational experience in a work setting on a part-time
basis, no less than two four hour work periods per week. Intended for
students enrolled in a major who are seeking a professionally related
experience. Requires the completion of a Learning Agreement in
consultation with a faculty sponsor. (1 to 8)
COOP 276: Full-Time Internship
A supervised educational experience in a work setting on a full-time basis. Student must work at least 360 hours in their internship. Intended for students who have not declared a major or who are seeking an exploratory experience. Requires the completion of a Learning Agreement in consultation with a faculty sponsor. (12)
COOP 476: Full-Time Advanced Internship
A supervised educational experience in a work setting on a
full-time basis. Student must work at least 360 hours in their
internship. Intended for students enrolled in a major or who are
seeking a professional experience. Requires the completion of a
Learning Agreement in consultation with a faculty sponsor. (12)
COOP 477: International Work Experience
To be arranged and
approved through the Wang Center for International Programs and a
faculty sponsor. Prerequisites: completion of a minimum of one full
year (32 credits) in residence prior to the program start. Recommended:
a minimum GPA of 3.00, relevant work experience or academic
background, language competency and significant cross-cultural
experience. (1–12)
COOP 576: Work Experience III
A supervised educational experience at the graduate level. Requires
completion of a Cooperative Education Agreement in consultation with a
faculty sponsor and the student's graduate program advisor. (1–4)