FAQs

What is an Academic Internship? 

An academic internship allows you to gain professional work experience while earning course credit. Students must be enrolled in an internship course to receive credit. 

How do I know if an Academic Internship is right for me? 

Think about your career goals and the skills you need for your dream job. Speak with your academic advisor to plan when to take your internship course and review your department’s requirements. 

Enrollment and Course Requirements

• Who can I contact if I have questions about course enrollment?
  For questions about course enrollment, please contact your major adviser, Academic Internship Department Contact, or the course instructor directly, as the Career Center does not handle enrollment or course requirements. If your question relates to internships taken for course credit, visit the “Credit Internships” section of the CSUSM Career Center website for more details.  
• Can I begin my internship hours before the course begins?
  Internships typically begin after the first class meeting and a starting date will be provided by your course instructor. Arrangements to begin the internship at an earlier date must be arranged with the course instructor.
• How many hours am I required to complete for my internship?
  A typical 3-unit course will require between 90-120 hours for the semester.  Unpaid internships should not extend beyond the semester of enrollment. 

Finding an Internship

• How can I prepare professionally before applying to an Internship?
  The Career Center offers resume reviews, interview preparation, free professional clothing through the Cougar Career Closet, and free professional headshots. These tools help you feel confident and career-ready. All students should also plan to attend the Navigating the Road to Academic Internships Workshop, hosted by the Career Center. See Academic Internship Page for dates and details. 
• I’m planning on taking an internship course, how do I start?
  To begin, students should start by visiting the CSUSM Career Center Internship website’s Step by Step Internship Guide and attending a Navigating the Road to Academic Internships workshop hosted by the Career Center
• When should I apply for an internship?

  The application timeframe is largely based on the organization type. Government agencies and larger companies typically recruit students up to 6 to 9 months prior to the internship start date. Some businesses and non-profit organizations will recruit several weeks prior to the internship start date. For exact deadlines, research organizations you are considering applying to in the future. In general, students should begin actively seeking internship opportunities 6-9 months before enrollment.  

• Can I get credit for a past internship I've completed?
  No. Internships cannot be approved retroactively for credit. Like any academic coursework, an internship requires faculty supervision, learning objectives, and regular feedback during the semester of enrollment. 
• Is it okay to intern for a family member?
  To avoid a conflict of interest, students may not intern with family members.
• Can I complete my hours at my current workplace?

  Per the CSUSM Student Internship Policy, students using their job as their internship experience must seek pre-approval from the course instructor to ensure the experience is above and beyond the student’s regular work duties and meets the content for the internship course.   

• Are there any international internship opportunities?
  At the moment, all internship opportunities are located in the USA. For study abroad opportunities, contact the Global Programs and Services.
• Can I intern for a home-based business?
  Home-based businesses may be approved once required criteria are met. Furthermore, a site visit may be required but does not guarantee approval.      
• What happens once I get an Academic internship offer?

  You must: 

  1. Obtain instructor approval.
  2. Ensure your internship site and opportunity are in the S4 Academic Internship Database. 

  • If the site is missing, request a new community partner. 
  • If the opportunity is missing, your site must complete the New Opportunity Form. 

   3. Enroll in your internship course if you haven’t already. 

Using the Academic Internship Database

• How do I use the Academic Internship Database?

  A video of the process coming soon!

  The Academic Internship Database is helpful to find businesses, non-profits, and government agencies that are approved internship sites. To use the database, log in with your CSUSM credentials.

  Helpful Tips:

  • Work with your faculty advisor or a Career Counselor to learn about opportunities in your major and/or career interest
  • Select as many “Organization Types” in the database that are relevant to your search
  • Think of keywords associated with your search and use them in the “keyword” field in the database (examples: biotech, marketing, Temecula).
• How should I report my placement in the database?

  Once you have been offered the internship and have received faculty approval, create a placement in the database.    

• What do I need to complete before starting my internship?

  In the Academic internships Database (S4) , you will: 

  • Officially “place” into your internship site and opportunity. 
  • Complete required training and paperwork (safety video, supervisor info, emergency contacts, professionalism check). 
• Can I select more than one site to complete my internship hours?
  The option to select more than one site for an internship course may not be offered by every course instructor. Students must seek approval from the course instructor prior to selecting a second internship site. Consequently, the database will only allow one placement to be created by the student. After receiving instructor approval, send a request for a second placement with your name, course, second site information, site contact, and hours estimated to: internships@csusm.edu. 
• My internship site is not in the database, how do I add them?

  To request a site to be added to the database, review the steps for requesting a new community partner. This process may take anywhere from up to 5 weeks as it requires online paperwork and documentation. To help expedite this process, be sure to check in with your site supervisor to ensure they have submitted all requested information.

  PLEASE NOTE: Deadlines to submit new requests are August 1 for the Fall semester, May 1 for the Summer sessions and December 15 for the Spring semester.

• What happens if my internship is unpaid, offers a stipend, or is 1099 employment and the site doesn't sign the agreement?

  A University Community Partnership Agreement for unpaid opportunities, or for those that offer a stipend or 1099 employment,  is important because it establishes guidelines and policies for a quality internship experience. If we do not hear back from your site or if they refuse to sign the agreement, you will need to find a new placement. 

• How do I modify my placement?
  To make corrections to your completed placement, send your request with your name, course, and the information needed to be updated to: internships@csusm.edu
• I recently enrolled in my class, why don't I see it in the database?
  After enrolling in your class, allow 48 hours for your course to appear in the database.
• What happens after I am placed?
  Your instructor will provide course-specific details such as start dates, assignments, timekeeping, and evaluation requirements.

Additional Resources

• I am an international student, what resources are available for me?
  International students should check in with the Office of Global Education for work authorization information. International students have some special regulations that apply only to international students such as completing curricular practice training. For assistance, refer to the Global Programs and Services
• I need a TB test and/or Livescan. What resources are available to me?

  Student Health and Counseling Services is located on our campus. Many internship opportunities that involve working with youth/children require students to obtain a tuberculosis test as a pre-placement requirement

  • SHCS provides TB test for the cost of $10; call 760-750-4915 to schedule an appointment.
  • In addition check with your Internship site to ensure this is an appropriate location to satisfy this pre-placement requirement.

  The University Police Department is located on the further end of our campus, past parking lot O. Some internship opportunities, particularly those with government agencies, require interns to obtain a LiveScan.

  • The CSUSM Police Department provides a LiveScan service for the cost of $20.
  • Check with your Internship site to ensure this is an appropriate location to satisfy this pre-placement requirement.

*The CSUSM University Community Partnership Agreement requires all parties to follow all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations, including but not limited to laws prohibiting discrimination and harassment.

If you feel you have been discriminated, harassed, or have a non-emergency safety concern at an internship site, contact the Director of the Career Center, Dr. Yasmine Farley yfarley@csusm.edu immediately.

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