UVM's Policy on Academic Internships
Academic units have the freedom to design specific curricula and guidelines for credit-bearing experiences, but those guidelines must conform to the minimum requirements in the Policy on Academic Internships.
All employers hosting UVM interns should execute the University's Internship Memorandum of Understanding - a legal agreement between the University and the host organization. This is required for all credit-bearing internships. The Career Center is available for consultation on internship procedures, best practices, and holds active MOUs.
MOU Purpose and Process
The MOU outlines the expectations and responsibilities of the UVM faculty member, the University, and the internship site. MOUs are valid for a period of five years and cover all UVM students who engage in a credit-bearing internship with that organization during that period. The Career Center maintains copies of all executed MOUs. the MOU identifies the minimum requirements of the institution, additional criteria may be added as needed - please contact career@uvm.edu to addenda.
- If an organization is on the list of active internship MOUs, no further action is needed.
- If the MOU is not currently on file, it must be completed before the internship begins - send the MOU link: go.uvm.edu/internforms to the internship site and request that they digitally sign for their organization.
Additional Academic Unit Responsibilities
- Academic units identify the course numbers, supervising faculty, and internship programs available in the academic unit and make that information available to students.
- Curriculum committees should evaluate internship course proposals.
- Individual faculty members are responsible for developing a syllabus that aligns with the guidelines outlined for a successful academic internship.
- Identifying an internship's learning goals is central to the process and outlined in a Learning Contract (PDF), which is created by the student and faculty advisor. On-site internship supervisors should receive a copy of the student’s Learning Contract.
- Academic units may require students and supervisors to compete mid-semester and end-of-internship evaluation forms.
Procedures for Students
- Communicate with their advisor or appropriate members of their department to begin the process of enrolling for internship credits.
- Seek their own internship placements or seek assistance from faculty or the Career Center to identify areas of interest and seek an internship site.
- Work with faculty sponsors to complete the Internship Information Form and Internship MOU prior to beginning internship. Students must turn these forms in to the Internship Coordinator in the Career Center in order to provide tracking information about these placements.
- Collaborate with their faculty sponsor at the beginning of the to create a learning contract detailing information about their learning goals and objectives, planned activities and required assignments.
