Frequently Asked Questions

Have a question about internships? Learn more from frequently asked internship questions.

An internship as a form of experiential learning that integrates knowledge and theory learned in the classroom with practical application and skills development in a professional workplace setting (across in-person, remote, or hybrid modalities). Internships provide students the opportunity to gain valuable applied experience, develop social capital, explore career fields, and make connections in professional fields. In addition, internships serve as a significant recruiting mechanism for employers, providing them with the opportunity to guide and evaluate potential candidates.

  • Summer: Mid-April
  • Fall: Early August
  • Spring: Early December

See specific deadlines here.

If you will not be able to meet the deadlines listed, please contact [email protected] as soon as possible to discuss your situation. 

See the internship application process for steps.

Yes! You can complete an Exploratory Internship. Any student in any major can complete an internship and get 3 credits for it. You must complete at least 200 hours to receive credit. You should plan with your advisor in advance to designate where the internship credit will be applied. Most students use the credits to satisfy an elective, but you should plan ahead with your academic advisor for your specific situation.

See the Planning Guide for Exploratory Internships.

No, you are welcome to complete an internship for the great experience. You do not need to receive approval. Schedule an appointment with a Career Counselor to discuss your career goals, develop a search strategy and get tips on how to include an internship on your resume. 

Career and Professional Development has several tools and resources to help with your search. Remember, however, that finding an internship is your responsibility. Part of the search process is learning how to find and obtain the internship. Our office is here to help you with your journey.

Students have found internships through our Career Fair held every semester, Penn State Abington Job Box, Nittany Lion Careers, LinkedIn and by networking (faculty, family, friends and Alumni on Lion Link, and PSU Alumni on LinkedIn.)

Utilize the 24/7 Career Tools.

Need help? Schedule an appointment with a Career Counselor to develop a search strategy and create a polished resume and cover letter.

No, your supervisor cannot be a parent, guardian or family member.

An internship can be paid or unpaid. While a paid internship is not required, we encourage students to seek out opportunities where they will be fairly compensated for their time and contributions. By planning ahead, you increase your chances of finding an opportunity that meets your needs. (Note: non-profits and government offices may not have the ability to pay but can sometimes offer stipends in place of hourly pay. Work with a Career Counselor for tips on salary negotiation.)

For most majors, you should start looking for an internship 4-6 months prior to the semester you would like to intern. However, for the very competitive internships in fields like finance, accounting, and computer science (at companies like Deloitte, KPMG, and even smaller firms) you should start preparing at least 18 months in advance of the semester you plan to intern.  Offers for those competitive internships are typically extended at least a year in advance.

If you are in a major that requires an internship, please be aware of pre-requisites that may apply to you. Speak with your advisor and refer to the Internship Planning Guide specific to your major found here.

You should plan well in advance to choose your targeted semester for interning, keeping in mind factors such as pre-requisites, course load (will you be taking other classes while interning?) and your intended graduation date.

*We encourage students not to wait until their senior year to plan their required internship. Internships are a requirement to graduate for some majors, and this credit cannot be waived or substituted with another credit. Starting the internship process early will reduce stress as you approach graduation.

Yes. Students with approved internships will be enrolled in the appropriate credited internship course (usually 495) and complete assignments while engaged in the internship. A letter grade is assigned upon completion of coursework and required internship site hours. In addition, your internship supervisor will be required to complete a mid-internship and a final internship evaluation as part of the course requirements.

Students cannot register for their internship class on their own.  Internships must be approved by Career and Professional Development and your Program Chair. Once approved, the Registrar’s office will add you to the internship class. The complete registration and approval process is found here.

No, your internship must be a new learning experience for you that satisfies the learning objectives for your major. An internship is different than a job. 

An internship should have:

  • A learning component with a real-world opportunity to apply the knowledge gained in the classroom. It must not be simply to advance the operations of the employer or replace the work that a regular employee would routinely perform.
  • Learned skills and knowledge that are transferable to other employment settings.
  • A defined beginning and end that is mutually agreed upon, typically within one semester, although you can continue your internship with the employer after you have satisfied the hour requirement for your major. 
  • Direct supervision by a professional who provides feedback, guidance, and mentorship. 

On occasion, students have been able to use their current employer to create an opportunity that allows them to transition into a relevant unit at their current location (your current employer may be able to accommodate you moving into an internship position within a different department.) For example, you currently work in a customer service role but your employer works with you to accommodate an internship within the marketing department, which would be different than your current role and would satisfy the definition of an internship listed above. Please reach out to a Career Counselor or email [email protected] to discuss if this option is feasible for your situation.  

No, retroactive credit cannot be awarded. The 495 internship class must be taken concurrently with your internship experience. To be registered for the class, your internship must be approved by Career and Professional Development and your Program Chair. 

Please contact Dagmara Karnowski, International Student Advisor, at [email protected] to ensure you are meeting all requirements and procedures. 

During the academic year, students will see no cost difference if enrolled in 12-18 credits. 
During the summer term, students pay for the credits, however financial aid may be an option in addition to many scholarship opportunities available. 

The per-credit rate for summer can be found at Penn State Tuition Rates Summer.

Information on scholarships can be found on the Scholarships For Continuing Students.

Tuition Surcharge may apply if you go over 18 credits in the Fall or Spring Semesters.