HOW TO REGISTER FOR AN SIS INTERNSHIP FOR ACADEMIC CREDIT
The Basics
All internships registered for credit must be supervised by a full-time SIS faculty member. SIS requires that your internship grade be
based on two things:
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The work you do at the internship (based on an evaluation from your supervisor at the internship) and the coursework you
complete as part of SISU-391-300. The section of the course you take is determined by your class year.
First-year students must complete 30 academic credits in residence at American University before registering for an
internship. Transfer and AP/IB credits do not count towards the required 30 credits.
Transfer students may register for an internship after finishing 12 credits in residence at American University.
A maximum of 6 credits of self-designed work are permitted for the major. This may be two independent studies or one
internship for credit and one independent study. An additional 6 credits of self-designed work is permitted as elective credit
only. If additional independent studies are pursued, they must still be completed in three credit increments only.
Internships for major credit must be for a minimum of three credits. Internships for elective credit may be for fewer credits.
All SIS internships must be taken for an A-F grade.
The number of credit you earn for your internship is based on the number of hours you are working. You are not permitted to
work more hours and register for fewer credits. Please plan your schedule accordingly. The table below illustrates the
average hours worked weekly per internship credit hours that students are expected to earn over 14 weeks of a traditional
semester or the equivalent for summer or special term classes.
Earned credits
Minimum total hours interned required by
end of term
Average number of hours interned weekly
over 14 weeks
Earned Credits/Minimum Hours Interned
1
2
3
70
140
210
5
10
15
4
280
5
350
6
420
20
25
30
Registration Process ( once you’ve secured an internship)
1.
Complete the Internship Registration Form (http://www.american.edu/provost/registrar/pdf/list.cfm)
If you are an international student on an F-1 or J-1 visa, you'll need your International Student Advisor to review and sign your
paperwork.
2.
Complete the SIS Internship Eligibility Form.
3.
Meet with an academic advisor to determine if you are academically eligible for an internship.
4.
Have your internship supervisor confirm your duties by signing the SIS Internship Registration Supplement form.
5.
Meet with your faculty member to determine your academic work plan.
6.
Meet with the Undergraduate Program Director if you are seeking major credit for your internship. Be sure to provide specific
concrete examples of your duties and how the internship is relevant to your program. In order to complete a major requirement, the
internship must be for at least 3 credits.
7.
Return your completed form to the SIS Undergraduate Advising Office.
Please Note:
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Students interning outside the U.S. who are not participating in an AU affiliated study abroad program will need to
complete the Undergraduate Global Practicum form. Contact your Academic Advisor for more information.
International students on F-1 visas who are pursuing a paid internship will need to complete additional
paperwork for Curricular Practical Training. International students on J-1 visas pursuing a paid internship will need
to complete additional materials for Academic Training. For more information, contact International Student and
Scholar Services.
Updated 1/2016
SIS INTERNSHIP ELIGIBILITY FORM
Before meeting with an academic advisor:
Please initial below to indicate your understanding of each of the following:
_____I have read and understand the regulations about internships detailed here:
http://www.american.edu/provost/undergrad/undergrad-rules-and-regulations.cfm#11.4
_____I understand that the number of credits I earn for my internship is based on the number of hours I work.
_____I understand I need to pay for the credits I am earning for this internship. If I register for fewer than 12 credits during the semester or
summer, tuition is charged on a per credit basis. If I register for 12-17 credits, I pay standard tuition. I understand I will pay extra tuition for
each credit above 17 credits.
When speaking with an academic advisor, please initial the following:
_____It is my responsibility to understand whether adding this internship to my schedule will delay my graduation date. If adding this
internship to my schedule delays my graduation date, I am consenting to that delay by submitting this form.
_____I have completed ______ credits of internship work in my major and ______ credits of internship work outside of my major prior to
registering for this internship. I have completed ______ credits of independent study through SIS.
I want to:
_____Add this internship to my schedule without dropping a class. OR
_____Drop a class when I add the internship. I have attached a completed Request for Registration Action
(http://www.american.edu/provost/registrar/pdf/list.cfm) indicating this change.
Please select one of the following:
_____I am seeking elective credit for my internship and will have it approved by a faculty supervisor. OR
_____I am seeking major credit for my internship and will have it approved by a faculty supervisor and the Undergraduate Program Director.
My thematic area, which is:________________________________________________________ OR
My regional requirement, which is:__________________________________________________
Please elaborate on why this internship should count toward the thematic area or region selected above. (1 to 2 paragraphs)
_____I will return my completed forms to the SIS Undergraduate Advising Office one week in advance of the deadline for internship
registration. This semester, that is no later than:______________________.
Advisor has determined eligibility___________________________________________Date_____________
Approval of Undergraduate Program Director________________________________Date_____________
Please secure the required signatures from your internship site supervisor, faculty member and the Undergraduate Program Director
(if needed) at this point.
SIS INTERNSHIP REGISTRATION SUPPLEMENT
1. INTERNSHIP LOCATION. Is any part of your internship taking place outside the U.S.? [ ] yes
[ ] no
If any part of your internship will take you outside of the U.S., then you must schedule and attend an appointment with the Career Center’s
International Internship Advisor prior to registration. Call 202-885-1804 to arrange the appointment and ask the Career Center staff member to
note that you need the international internship orientation. This orientation is required for all students traveling outside the U.S., including
international students returning to their home countries for internship work. You’ll also need to complete an Undergraduate Global Practicum
(available from your advisor). The University requires you to carry travel insurance while abroad.
2. DESCRIPTION/PERCENTAGE OF DUTIES. SIS requires that all internships undertaken for academic credit be at least 85%
substantive. Summarize your duties on the job in the space provided below and state percentages of time you expect to devote to each activity.
For example:
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80% conducting research for human rights campaign
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15% attending meetings with coalition partners about the new bill in Congress
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5% assisting with mailings to grassroots organizers
Descriptions without percentages will not be accepted. Alternatively, you may attach a letter from your internship supervisor that outlines your
duties and addresses the substantive responsibilities.
Signature of Supervisor at Your Internship :_________________________________________(date)___/____/____
______%____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______%____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______%____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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Please print name here: __________________________________________________________________________
To the internship site supervisor: your signature certifies that you have reviewed the job description above and that you agree to provide a
written evaluation of the student’s performance. (The Performance Evaluation Form will be provided by SIS.)
3. ACADEMIC WORK PLAN. To be filled out with and initialed by your faculty supervisor.
Please note that in order to earn academic credit for an internship or co-op, all students must complete and submit some written academic work
in addition to their work on the job. Please outline the academic work you and your faculty supervisor have agreed upon in the space provided
below.
Faculty Signature_______________________________________________________________________________
4. RELEVANCE TO PROGRAM. Please make the case for how this internship will contribute to your knowledge of your region or thematic
area. If you are seeking elective credit please explain how the internship will enrich your understanding of international studies. Make sure to
include specific, concrete examples of how the work you are doing is related to the type of credit you are seeking.