Frequently Asked Questions

Is an internship required?

Yes, all undergraduate business administration students who entered The College of Saint Rose beginning with the Fall 2009 Semester (2009-2011 Undergraduate Catalog) are required to complete an approved internship or field study option prior to graduation. This applies to freshman and transfer students.

I entered Saint Rose before the 2009 Fall Semester, can I enroll in an internship?

Yes, even though internships are not required for students who entered Saint Rose before the 2009 Fall Semester, it is highly recommended they complete an internship. Your faculty advisor will determine how the internship can be used to fulfill graduation requirements.

When can I start an internship?

It is recommended that students be in Junior standing (at least 60 credits completed by the start of internship) with at least one semester at The College of Saint Rose. Prerequisites: BUS 210, BUS 246

How many semester credits can I earn for an internship?

The minimum number of credits that must be earned to meet the internship/field study requirement is 3 credits. Additional credits may be earned based on the nature of the academic requirements (i.e. books, papers, researched reports, presentations, etc.) and the number of hours per week the student will spend working under the supervision of the field supervisor. A 3-credit internship requires a minimum of 120 hours of work during the semester (40 work hours per credit; approximately 10 hours per week). Credits earned above the 3-credit business program requirement may be used as general electives towards graduation, depending on the nature of the work and approval of the faculty supervisor. There is an internship maximum of 12 credits in a semester.
What does not qualify for internship credit?
Credit cannot be given for work started or completed without faculty supervision. Credit cannot be given for internships in connection with a student’s current employment.

Is there a tuition charge for a credit internship?
Yes. The charge is the same as the tuition for any other courses. It will be based on the number of credits taken for the internship. Tuition and fees may change from year to year. Also, tuition charges per credit may vary according to academic term (intersession and summer course work).

When should I start planning an internship?

Students should begin planning their internship as soon as possible, but no later than the beginning of the semester preceding the semester in which the student plans to do the internship. For example, students planning an internship for the spring semester should be planning in the early fall semester of that academic year. Assessing one’s goals and objectives, researching internship sites, contacting and interviewing, developing a sound academic internship experience, consulting with faculty and career center staff, preparing a resume, and creating a learning contract takes time.

Are internships paid?

Some internships are paid, however the majority are not paid. The amount or form of payment is usually established by the internship site and can take a variety of forms (hourly wage, stipend, mileage reimbursement, etc.). If you are looking for interesting and useful experience as an intern, it would be wise to not limit the internship search to paid positions only. Consider the experience an investment in your future education and career aspirations.

How are the internships graded?

Internships are graded on the same scale as regular business courses, A to F. The faculty supervisor evaluates the intern’s performance based on the expectations of the learning contract, including required journals, reading assignments, supervisor evaluations and professional meeting attendance.

What happens if I can’t complete the internship?

If the student intern, site supervisor, or faculty supervisor is unable to continue or complete the internship, participants must be notified immediately. Cancellation of a credited internship is processed by the Registrar’s Office in accordance with the policies that apply to normal courses.