An academic internship is an approved and supervised work experience that meets specific student learning goals related to an academic field of study. This work learning partnership between a student, the University and a host company or organization bears a direct relationship to a student's major and professional objectives and provides the opportunity for professional skills development. On-site work or projects are combined with reflective academic assignments that help students learn by doing.

At Cal State Fullerton, an academic internship is credit-bearing (1-3 units) and gives students academic credit (one credit is 40 hours of work) for work done at an internship site, while an internship (non-academic) does not. Cal State Fullerton students must enroll in a course and complete class requirements to participate in an academic internship. Almost every department at Cal State Fullerton offers an internship course, usually with the support of a Faculty Internship Coordinator. These learning experiences are jointly supervised by the site supervisor and Faculty Internship Coordinator

General Site Guidelines:

Provide a clear position description for the academic internship experience.

The position must be related to an academic field of study available at Cal State Fullerton.

• At least 80% of the position should consist of pre-professional or professionally related work assignments and tasks; clerical work should be kept to a minimum.
  

• Provide consistent supervision by a professional staff.

• Provide an orientation to the student and his or her specific assignments.

• Meet with and provide feedback to the student on a regular basis

• Students are not permitted to drive or transport clients during academic internship hours

.