Cooperative Education and Internship Program (CEIP)
FAQ for Faculty
What is the value of student internships?
Students who participate in internships apply the academic principles learned in classrooms to real-world situations. Students also test potential careers. While internships can provide summer employment, they also allow students to network with professionals, build their resume, and can give access to unique learning experiences. Internships can lead to full-time employment with the company. Student internships can help build relationships between the hiring company and the faculty member.
What is the faculty member's role?
Internships are structured learning, and faculty members establish the learning objectives, evaluate the success of the internship, and determine the student's grade. The internship can be offered under the faculty member's academic program prefix, and the department receives credit for the offering. The faculty member approves the work agreement between the employer and the student, can make site visits to evaluate the progress of the internship, and can initiate changes that help the student meet the learning objectives. CEIP may provide partial reimbursement for costs related to site visits.
Why use the Cooperative Education and Internship program?
Students have participated in internships through specific program courses, through field experiences or practicum/internships, and through CEIP. There is value to the students, employers, and faculty in having a common process through which almost all internships are arranged. The NDSU CEIP provides the administrative support for establishing and tracking internships, and can provide the accountability needed by departments, colleges, and the North Dakota University System.
How do faculty get students into internships?
- Some faculty/programs have established strong relationships with employers who regularly seek interns. We would encourage continuation of those relationships, and request that the companies and students register their internships through CEIP.
- Qualified students may find career-related jobs on their own and want to receive university credit for the experience. Faculty should have the student contact CEIP for registration and initiation of the approval process.
- Suggest that qualified students review the listing of internships at the Career Center.
Dr. William Bowlin |
"The accounting major and management information systems major require that each student complete an internship because it is an exceptional educational experience. It gives the student an opportunity to apply his/her classroom learning in a real-world environment which cannot be duplicated in the classroom. Also, in these disciplines, internships oftentimes lead to full-time employment with the firm upon graduation."How does Cooperative Education and Internship affect student status?
By registering for 3 academic credits through CEIP (working 300 hours or more per semester), students retain full-time student status even if they are not taking any additional classes. During this time student loans do not come due, and those covered by family health insurance will not be dropped. This arrangement allows students to accept opportunities away from the Fargo Moorhead area, and to focus full time on their learning experience.
How does Cooperative Education and Internship fit in a student's NDSU schedule?
CEIP internships may be completed during any semester. Summer semester is the most popular. Options are available including:
- Parallel: Students work part time with a local employer and still take classes at NDSU
- Alternating: Students alternate between attending classes on campus full time for a semester and working full time on a Cooperative Education and Internship assignment for a semester
- One Semester: Students work at a Cooperative Education and Internship assignment for one semester only
- Consecutive: Students work 2 or 3 semesters in a row
Depending on the academic program and requirements, if a student is required to complete a practical experience for their curriculum, the student should be admitted into the professional academic program prior to completing the cooperative education/internship experience.
Eligibility Requirements
- Students in all majors are eligible to participate
- Students must achieve a minimum cumulative 2.0 GPA prior to placement
- Proposed work experience is directly related to the student's major field of study and/or career goals
- Student must agree to engage the learning objectives embedded in the work experience
- Student must be registered with CAREERlink
- Students must be eligible to pursue the work experience in accordance with current laws, regulations and policies. Criminal disclosures that could affect job responsibilities will be considered.
- Students must meet the requirements specified by the employer (e.g., valid drivers license, etc.)
How do students register for Cooperative Education and Internship credits?
- An appointment is required to register. Students can call the Career Center at 701-231-7111 to schedule an appointment. Registration usually takes 15-20 minutes.
- If students are not able to come to our location, they should contact the Internship Coordinator to receive registration instructions, paperwork, and other pertinent information.
- The student will be instructed to contact their faculty advisor for approval.
- The faculty member will review employer information, confer with the student, and establish learning objectives and credits.
- Students will be registered for course number 397 (undergraduate) or 795 (graduate). The prefix is UNIV unless the academic department prefers the prefix to be program specific. The department should notify the Internship Coordinator of this preference.
How many credits will students earn?
Credits are earned based on the number of hours worked per semester.
- 100-199 hours per semester = 1 credit
- 200-299 hours per semester = 2 credits
- 300 + hours per semester = 3 credits
Unless the faculty instructor approves additional credits, 3 credits is the maximum credits a student will be registered for each semester.
What is the cost?
- Cost per credit is always the same as ND resident tuition plus university fees. There are no additional continuing education fees.
- Payment for credits is the responsibility of the student, unless covered by the employer or a third party.
- A growing number of employers are making the investment in NDSU students by paying the cost of the Cooperative Education and Internship credits.
What is the registration deadline?
Because learning can begin at any point during the semester, the last day to register a student is the last day of scheduled classes in the given semester. Registration for upcoming semesters can be made, but no credits will be registered for past semesters.
How is Cooperative Education and Internship graded?
- The faculty instructor determines the grade (P/F or S/U), and the Career Center will input the grade for inclusion in the student's transcript.
- Undergraduate students receive Pass/Fail grades, and graduate students receive Satisfactory /Unsatisfactory grades.
Can waivers be applied to Cooperative Education and Internship credits?
No. Because Cooperative Education and Internship credits are considered continuing education, no waivers are applied.
