Internship Guidelines
Students at Grinnell College may participate in a range of internship opportunities both during the academic year and in the summer. Summer internships are available throughout the world with options for variable credit and funding. Most summer internships source second- and third-year students. However, third- and fourth-year students may apply for academic year internships as well. Many summer internships receive Grinnell College funding through one of three distinct programs: GRINNELLINK, Grant Program (including Lilly Externships), and Endowed. When speaking with your advisees, keep in mind there are some limited opportunities available for students who have completed their first year.
Internships funded by Grinnell College, supported by a Faculty Sponsor, and approved by the Curriculum Committee, may receive 2 or 4 credits. Tuition is waived for the first 2 credits and students are billed for any additional credits. Historically, internships with outside funding may also receive 2 or 4 credits if approved by the Curriculum Committee. However, tuition is not waived and students are billed for all credits received.
Students may earn 4 credits for a part-time, academic-year internship. A total of 8 credits for internships may be counted toward graduation requirements; students may not participate in more than two credit-bearing internships. Students may accumulate no more than a total of 16 credits for the combination of practicum and internships. Students may not count toward graduation more than a total of 36 credits earned on internships, personal leaves, special leaves, and off-campus study programs, including ACM Summer Programs.
For the purpose of distribution, internships will be ascribed divisional credit (work in humanities, science, or social studies) and will not be listed under the heading of particular departments. If students wish to have any internship credit counted toward completion of major requirements, they must have the chair of the department notify the Registrar in writing of how much of the internship credit (maximum of 4) the department is willing to accept. Because of the nature of the internship placement, which necessitates pre-planning and off-campus community involvement, students may not withdraw after registration and no incompletes are granted.
The preferred grading option by the Curriculum Committee is S/D/F. If the Faculty Sponsor believes there is a compelling reason why this internship should be considered for the letter grade option, he/she must submit specific reasons along with the Academic Expectations of the Faculty Sponsor form to the Career Development office.
For internship deadlines, program details and downloadable applications, please consult http://www.grinnell.edu/offices/cdo/internships/.
