Black School of Business Policies:
- Eligibility: To be eligible for internship credits, it is required that you have formally declared your major within the business program. Your internship must fall within and be relevant to one of the nine disciplines provided by the Black School of Business. Moreover, each department or discipline follows its own unique policies regarding internships. For comprehensive details, please refer to the “Major Specific Policies” section (and the internship guidelines) at the bottom of this page.
- Academic credits: Students often earn three academic credits for one internship. No more than six credits will be applied to graduation requirements for a single major. Students pursuing concurrent majors may use up to six credits of internship experience toward each major. Students may use up to three credits in the “Business Support” course areas, and an additional three credits may be used as approved electives. Majors may have other specific requirements or restrictions – consult with your advisor. If a student pursues internship credits beyond six, these credits will remain “unused” toward the degree requirements.
- Minimum hours: At least 120 hours of field experience are required for three academic credits. Additional credits may be assigned on a 40-hour-per-credit basis. Hours in addition to the minimum may be undertaken without the assignment of additional academic credit. The number of hours worked is not the primary basis for determining academic credit worthiness.
- Grading: Grades are assigned within the normal scale (A, B, C, etc.). Pass/Fail are not acceptable. Grades are assigned based on the student’s performance in the categories described in the proposal form.
- Multiple Internships: Students are encouraged to participate in more than one internship during the course of their college career. Additional credits will only be awarded for internships that are at a different sponsoring organization, or show a different area of work or higher level of knowledge to perform. Additional internship credits will not be awarded for continued employment at the same organization doing the same work as an internship for which credits were previously awarded.
- Students MUST register for academic credit in the semester that the internship requirements are completed. If the internship has requirements for multiple semesters, students must register for the appropriate course each semester to complete all the requirements. Also, academic credit will NOT be awarded after an internship is completed; for example, a summer internship will not earn credits in the fall semester.
Major Specific Policies:
Accounting (ACNTG): ACCTG 211 must be completed (final grade of “C” or higher). Students with a GPA below 2.5 must receive a special exception from the program chair to be eligible for internship credits. Content and evaluation criteria for specific internships will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
Business Economics (BECON): ECON 102 and ECON 104 must be completed (final grade of “C” or higher). Content and evaluation criteria for specific internships will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
Finance (FNC): FIN 301 must be completed (final grade of “C” or higher). No internship credits can be applied toward 400-level FIN elective courses. Content and evaluation criteria for specific internships will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
International Business (INTB): ECON 102 and ECON 104 must be completed (final grade of “C” or higher). 5th-semester standing or higher. Cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher. Either successful completion (final grade of “C” or higher) OR concurrent enrollment in one or more international business classes (e.g., ECON 470, FIN 471, IB 350, IB 404, IB 464, or MKTG 445).
For some international business internships, completion of additional coursework may be required as a prerequisite. Students with a GPA below 2.5 must receive a special exception from the program chair to be eligible for internship credits. No more than three internship credits may be applied to fulfill graduation requirements without a special exception.
Management Information Systems (MISBC): MIS 430 must be completed (final grade of “C” or higher). Presentation required. Paper is to be written according to MIS syllabus requirements. Component percentages for the student’s grade, per the course syllabus.
Marketing (MRKTG): MKTG 301 and at least one other marketing course at the 300- or 400-level must be completed (final grade of “C” or higher). Cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher. Students should visit sites.psu.edu/psbmarketing/home/internships for a list of specific prerequisites.
Project and Supply Chain Management (PSCM): SCM 301 must be completed (final grade of “C” or higher). Content and evaluation criteria for specific internships will be determined on a case-by-case basis.