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Internships

Internships are hands-on experiential learning opportunities where students can apply academic knowledge in professional settings to further adapt skills for the “real world.” Internships can be:

Full or part-time

Paid or unpaid

For academic or non-academic credit

During any academic semester (fall, spring, or summer)

Goals and Benefits of Internships

Participating in an internship will offer students a myriad of opportunities that will be beneficial while still a student at Georgia Southern University and in the future. These goals & benefits include:

Gaining relevant work experience prior to graduation
Increasing understanding of classroom theory through practical experience
Exploring career goals and options
Enhancing marketability to employers upon graduation
Sharpening communication and interpersonal skills
Gaining an understanding of professional cultures and expectations

**Megan Leban**
*Internship with Joe Gibbs Racing*

Internship Eligibility

Students must maintain a 2.0 GPA and remain in good academic standing with the university prior to starting their internship. Incoming first-term freshmen are requested to complete one complete academic year before the start of an internship experience. Freshmen are encouraged to begin their search during their second semester and may reach out to the Office of Career and Professional Development staff for assistance in the internship search process. Transfer students may begin an internship experience after the completion of one academic term at Georgia Southern University.

Academic Credit Internships

Academic credit internships are provided and approved by your major’s department by a supporting faculty member. When completing an internship for academic credit, you will earn hours toward your degree, pay tuition, and receive a grade for the course. Depending on your major, you may also have other course requirements such as evaluations, projects, and reflections. The requirements and documentation needed to receive academic credit vary by department, so it is best to check with your advisor or the department’s website for more information. The Office of Career and Professional Development staff can also assist you in determining where to begin. When in doubt if your internship will count for academic credit, or if you are unsure of your department’s process, please follow the “Internship Registration” steps below!

**Harvey Moody, III**
*Internship at Robins Air Force Base*

Non-Academic Credit Internships

Students who are not seeking academic credit for their internship or are unable to receive academic credit may complete an internship for non-academic credit. Non-academic credit internships are free and have no required coursework, however, they do not add to your degree progression and you do not receive a grade for the course. Because non-academic credit internships have no tuition or fees associated, you will not have access to your financial aid for that semester unless you take at least 6 hours of academic credit coursework in addition to your internship. If you have questions or concerns about this, reach out to the Coordinator of Experiential Learning, Kyra Larry, at klarry@georgiasouthern.edu.

Internship Registration

Prior to starting your internship, it is critical that you contact the Office of Career and Professional Development to register for the appropriate tuition-free, audit-credit internship course in order to remain enrolled full-time at Georgia Southern while you are working. This course will allow the internship to be officially recognized by the University on the student’s transcript and prevents gaps in enrollment (for insurance purposes, housing, student fees, student loans, etc.) The number of audit credits depends upon the number of hours worked per week.

To register, you’ll need to:

Complete an Experiences application by going to Handshake and selecting “Request an Experience.” If you are unsure of the answers to anything, simply put “n/a.”
Provide a copy of your offer letter as an attachment to your Experiences application

For more information about internships, visit our Frequently Asked Questions page, make an appointment with your Career & Internship Advisor, or email the Coordinator of Experiential Learning, Kyra Larry, at klarry@georgiasouthern.edu.

Last updated: 4/14/2023