Internship Credit

The Quinlan School of Business offers an Academic Internship Program for students who wish to receive academic credit for approved internships. The National Association for Colleges and Employers issued a position statement on internships and believes that legitimate internships consist of the following criteria: 

• 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. 

Participation in an internship course for academic credit is beneficial to students for several reasons, including:

• Opportunities for reflection on internship experiences resulting in personal and professional growth
• Personal and professional support from the academic internship coordinator.

Courses

BSAD/QUIN 202 is a two-credit career preparation class that provides an introduction to the critical skills required for successful career planning and job searching. Students will complete self-assessment activities and learn about workplace issues, job searching, cover letter and resume writing, and interviewing. Topics addressed will also include professional correspondence and communication, personal branding, networking, and career development resources.

BSAD/QUIN 300 is a variable-credit internship course for elective credit, which is graded pass/no pass. Students must be working in an internship during the same academic term as the course enrollment. Contact Taylor Kinn to obtain permission for enrollment. Prerequisite: sophomore standing.

Variable credit is based on the following minimum work hours:

• One credit hour: 56+ work hours
• Two credit hours: 85+ work hours
• Three credit hours: 120+ work hours

Apply: BSAD/QUIN 300 Applications

BSAD/QUIN 351 is a three-credit business internship course that fulfills the core engaged learning requirement. Topics addressed include developmental stages of an internship experience, business ethics, interpersonal and organizational dynamics, leadership development theory and practice, and Jesuit values in the workplace. Students must be working in an internship during the same academic term as the course enrollment.

Students enrolled in BSAD/QUIN 351 are expected to work a minimum of 120 hours over the course of the term that they are enrolled in the course.

Course Learning Objectives

Knowledge Competencies

• An introduction to leadership theory and practice
• An overview of the ethics of responsible leadership

Skills Competencies

• Basic analytical and reflective practices as applied to the workplace in order to develop skills to be a productive employee
• Basic understanding of interpersonal and organizational dynamics in the workplace
• Basic understanding of the requirements for leadership skill development

Values

• Developing a foundation on which a student may build a personal career vision
• Understanding the role of the Jesuit tradition as it relates to leadership and service to others
• Embracing the objective of responsible leadership

The internship experience should be primarily related to one or more core business functions. Most of these experiences have been related to one or more of the 11 majors offered by the Quinlan School of Business. For internships that are not primarily related to business majors, students may take EXPL 390. Students will receive three credit hours and a letter grade for an internship performed concurrently with course enrollment. 

Any student with Junior standing and a C- or better in BSAD 220/QUIN 202 is eligible to enroll is BSAD/QUIN 351, assuming their internship meets the following criteria:

• Complete 120+ hours at the internship site during the semester enrolled in BSAD/QUIN 351
• Have an identified supervisor who can provide feedback and guidance throughout the learning experience
• Experience is designated as an internship (not full time or part time job absent of a learning/development component)

You do not need to apply to enroll. If you enroll in BSAD/QUIN 351, as this course is an engaged learning credit, you will be asked to submit your internship information to LOCUS confirming your internship details, supervisor contact, number of hours, and learning objectives and at that point the instructor will confirm you meet the above criteria. If you have any questions about whether or not your internship is eligible you are welcome to reach out.

EXPL 390 through the Center for Experiential Learning

The Center for Experiential Learning offers internship credit outside of the Quinlan School of Business. EXPL 390 is an internship seminar course offered during the fall, spring, and summer terms. For more information, visit: http://www.luc.edu/experiential/internships.shtml. Students must be working in an internship during the same academic term as the course enrollment. 

Questions regarding the internship courses should be sent to QuinlanUBUS@LUC.edu.