Course Syllabus

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BSAD 395: Professional Internship

Course Description

Course Description

Course Description:  Provides an opportunity to study theories, principles, practices, techniques, and strategies utilized in the business field through an internship related to the major field of study and an integral or important part of their program of study. Reflect on classroom knowledge and develop practical experience in professional business situations through an approved internship. May be repeated.

Prerequisite

Prerequisite:  An undergraduate major in the College of Business with at least sophomore standing and departmental consent (which will require completion of forms and permission of a business faculty member), and acceptance into an approved internship. Departmental credit for course cross-listings (ACCT395, MNGT395, etc.) may have additional requirements for consent.

Variable Credit

Variable Credit.  BSAD 395 can be taken for 0, 1, 2, or 3 credit hours. See the Advising Considerations section for additional guidance on credit hours.

Cross-Listings

Cross-Listings.  BSAD 395 is cross-listed as ACCT, ACTS, ECON, FINA, MNGT, and SCMA.

Internship for Credit Approval

All students are encouraged to do internships during their undergraduate studies to gain experience and connect with employers. In order to earn academic credit toward your degree, the internship must meet certain standards and expectations. BSAD 395 uses the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) definition of “internship”:

“To ensure that an experience—whether it is a traditional internship or one conducted remotely or virtually—is educational, and thus eligible to be considered a legitimate internship by the NACE definition, all the following criteria must be met: (1) 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. (2) The skills or knowledge learned must be transferable to other employment settings. (3) The experience has a defined beginning and end, and a job description with desired qualifications. (4) There are clearly defined learning objectives/goals related to the professional goals of the student’s academic coursework. (5) There is supervision by a professional with expertise and educational and/or professional background in the field of the experience. (6) There is routine feedback by the experienced supervisor. (7) There are resources, equipment, and facilities provided by the host employer that support learning objectives/goals.” (www.naceweb.org)

Internships approved for BSAD 395 are a learning opportunity. Academic credit is based on the quality of academic assignments submitted about the internship. The intention/goal of internships approved for credit is to provide students with opportunities to gain additional skills and experiences in a new area that will help them obtain a job or advance. Students cannot earn internship credit for their current job. They can earn internship credit for an experience in a new area at their current organization if it relates to their undergraduate academic studies. Regardless of the academic credit awarded for the internship (0, 1, 2 or 3 credit hours), all internships must involve at least 150 hours of work. Students pursuing 1-3 credits will meet with their faculty sponsor regarding specific academic expectations but a generic rubric can be found here.

Benefits of BSAD 395

While students do not have to register for BSAD 395 to complete an internship, registering for BSAD 395 (for either 0 or 1-3 credits) provides multiple benefits...

To the student: 

  • Transcription of the internship onto the student's academic record
  • Credit toward graduation (if selecting the 1-3 section)
  • Opportunity to collaborate with a faculty member
  • Deeper processing of the internship experience and how it relates to academic content and future career goals

To the College of Business:

  • Greater ability to confirm that students are obtaining internships
  • Greater transparency into the quality of students' internship experiences to ensure quality experiences for future students

To future and prospective College of Business students:

  • Greater access to information about internships, including which types of internships are available to College of Business students, which organizations hire interns by major, and what hourly wage to expect

Advising Considerations

As part of the requirements for BSAD 395, you will be required to meet with a BASE academic advisor to determine if/how BSAD 395 credits will apply toward your degree. For most majors in the College of Business, BSAD 395 credit generally can be used only to meet upper-level business elective or general elective requirements.  

0 versus 1-3 credits.  BSAD 395 can be taken for 0, 1, 2, or 3 credit hours. BSAD 395 can be taken for 0 credit hours to allow for a transcript notation proving the completion of a professional internship. Variable credit of 1, 2, or 3 credit hours is allowed to provide for flexibility in managing credit hours applicable to a degree (e.g., a student who already has 119 earned credit hours and only needs one credit hour of elective credit could elect to receive one credit). However, regardless of the amount of credit earned, students must complete all of the requirements of the course and at least 150 hours of approved internship work.

Cross-Listings.  BSAD 395 is cross-listed in multiple College of Business departments. Students should discuss which cross-listing makes the most sense for their individual situation with their academic advisor during their required advising session. 

Pass/No Pass versus Letter Grade.  For students selecting the 1-3 credit option, the default grade option is Pass/No Pass. Graded credit can be awarded only with the permission of the sponsoring faculty member and department chair. For students selecting 0 credit hours, the grade option is Pass/No Pass only.

Multiple Internships.  A maximum of 6 total hours of BSAD 395 can be counted toward a bachelor’s degree, but typically 3 credits must be earned in one semester and 3 credits in a different semester.  An exception is the full-time Accounting spring split internship program; see the appropriate accounting faculty sponsor for more information. Two internships can be completed at the same organization as long as the job functions are different. For example, 3 credits earned in an accounting role and 3 credits earned in a finance role.

DocuSign

DocuSign will be used for all forms that require signatures, which allows them to be signed digitally. Click here for a description of how DocuSign works. 

BSAD 395 Process Overview

For 0 Credit Participants

Follow the steps below for the 0 credit section of BSAD 395.

Before Internship

STEP 1: Secure an internship prior to the semester in which you plan to earn credit. See a career coach in the Business Career Center for assistance in the internship search process if needed.

STEP 2: Meet with an academic advisor in the Business Advising & Student Engagement office to discuss if/how BSAD 395 will count toward your degree as well as how many credits and which cross-listing of BSAD 395 you should register for. 

STEP 3: Email BSAD 395 internship coordinator for access to the BSAD 395 Canvas site which includes access to all required internship forms:  Academic Credit Contract, Internship Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), Supervisor Evaluation, and Self Evaluation. Your email should include the following information:

  • Name
  • NUID
  • Major
  • Internship Title and Organization

STEP 4: Obtain a copy of the internship description or create an internship proposal (if a formal description does not exist) and submit it to Canvas. The description or proposal must include the organization’s name, an internship description, and key responsibilities of the position. The description or proposal must be on organization letterhead or include the organization's insignia. 

STEP 5: Work with the BSAD 395 internship coordinator to complete the Academic Credit Contract.

STEP 6: Work with your internship supervisor employer to complete the Internship Memorandum of Understanding.

STEP 7: Submit the Academic Credit Contract and Internship Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Canvas. The BSAD 395 internship coordinator (and department chair if applicable) will determine if the position meets the requirements for BSAD 395 and communicate approval status in Canvas. 

STEP 8: Registration instructions will be given after the internship is approved. Register for BSAD 395 using the given permission code on MyRed.

STEP 9: INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ONLY. Complete the Curricular Practical Training (CPT) packet and have the CPT forms signed by a BASE academic advisor. Give your CPT forms and a copy of your signed BSAD 395 Academic Credit Contract and Internship Memorandum of Understanding to ISSO. You do not need to meet with University Career Services.

During Internship

STEP 10: If any issues arise at any point during the completion of your internship (especially early on), it is your responsibility to notify the BSAD 395 internship coordinator.

After Internship

STEP 11: Schedule a coaching session with a Business Career Center career coach to review your resume with your internship added. Upload your revised resume to the course Canvas site. Your resume should clearly list the content and scope of your internship responsibilities and quantify your experience and results when possible.

STEP 12:  Your internship supervisor at your employer needs to provide you with a Supervisor Evaluation of your performance at the end of the internship and discuss the evaluation with you. Submit the completed Supervisor Evaluation on Canvas. The evaluation must be submitted in order to receive your final grade. (Your performance is NOT a factor in determining your final grade).

STEP 12:  Complete the Self Evaluation at the end of the internship. The evaluation must be submitted in order to receive your final grade. (Your perspective toward the internship is NOT a factor in determining your final grade).

For 1-3 Credit Participants

Follow the steps below for the 1-3 credit section of BSAD 395.

Before Internship

STEP 1: Secure an internship prior to the semester in which you plan to earn credit. See a career coach in the Business Career Center for assistance in the internship search process if needed.

STEP 2: Meet with an academic advisor in the Business Advising & Student Engagement office to discuss if/how BSAD 395 will count toward your degree as well as how many credits and which cross-listing of BSAD 395 you should register for. 

STEP 3: Email BSAD 395 internship coordinator for access to the BSAD 395 Canvas site which includes access to all required internship forms:  Academic Credit Contract, Internship Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), Supervisor Evaluation, and Self Evaluation. Your email should include the following information:

  • Name
  • NUID
  • Major
  • Internship Title and Organization

STEP 4: Obtain a copy of the internship description or create an internship proposal (if a formal description does not exist) and submit it to Canvas. The description or proposal must include the organization’s name, an internship description, and key responsibilities of the position. The description or proposal must be on organization letterhead or include the organization's insignia. 

STEP 5: Contact the appropriate faculty member (based on your major or type of internship) listed in the Meeting with Faculty Sponsor assignment page to complete the Academic Credit Contract.

STEP 6: Work with your internship employer supervisor to complete the Internship Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

STEP 7:  Submit the signed Academic Credit Contract and Internship Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Canvas. The sponsoring faculty member, department chair, and BSAD 395 internship coordinator will determine if the position meets the BSAD 395 requirements, and communicate the decision on Canvas.

STEP 8: Registration instructions will be given after the internship is approved. Register for BSAD 395 using the given permission code on MyRed.

STEP 9: INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ONLY. Complete the Curricular Practical Training (CPT) packet and have the CPT forms signed by a BASE academic advisor. Give your CPT forms and a copy of your signed BSAD 395 Academic Credit Contract and Internship Memorandum of Understanding to ISSO. You do not need to meet with University Career Services.

During Internship

STEP 10: If any issues arise at any point during the completion of your internship (especially early on), it is your responsibility to notify the BSAD 395 internship coordinator and sponsoring faculty member.

After Internship

STEP 11: Schedule a coaching session with a Business Career Center career coach to review your resume with your internship added. Upload your revised resume to the course Canvas site. Your resume should clearly list the content and scope of your internship responsibilities and quantify your experience and results when possible.

STEP 12: Upload a final paper or presentation as described in your Academic Credit Contract the course Canvas site. The quality of the paper or presentation will be the main factor in determining your final grade.

STEP 13:  Your internship supervisor at your employer needs to provide you with a Supervisor Evaluation of your performance at the end of the internship and discuss the evaluation with you. Submit the completed Supervisor Evaluation on Canvas. The evaluation must be submitted in order to receive your final grade. (Your performance is NOT a factor in determining your final grade.)

STEP 14:  Complete the Self Evaluation at the end of the internship. The evaluation must be submitted in order to receive your final grade. (Your perspective toward the internship is NOT a factor in determining your final grade).

 College and University Policies & Resources

Students are responsible for knowing the university policies and resources found on this page https://go.unl.edu/coursepolicies:

  • University-wide Attendance Policy
  • Academic Honesty Policy
  • Services for Students with Disabilities
  • Mental Health and Well-Being Resources
  • Final Exam Schedule
  • Fifteenth Week Policy
  • Emergency Procedures
  • Diversity & Inclusiveness
  • Title IX Policy
  • Other Relevant University-Wide Policies

 

Course Summary:

Date Details Due