**Please see COVID-19 related FAQs listed below**

• 

  Upcoming Internship/Co-op Deadlines

  The deadline to submit a Summer internship and co-op application for credit is May 18.

  The deadline to submit a Fall internship and co-op application for credit is August 10.

  Learn more about requirements and expectations of internships & co-ops by reading the Guiding Principles docment.

  Please contact your college's Career and Internship Advisor if you have any questions.

  • More Information

 What Are Internships & Co-ops?

 Internship

Employment that closely relates to the student’s major and is usually one semester in length. Students may receive academic credit for their participation and the position may be paid or unpaid. The internship may be part–time or full–time Academic credit for internships is available to eligible juniors, seniors, and graduate students with a declared major.   Students must have a KSU GPA to participate in an internship (transfer students cannot participate in their first semester).
GPA and semester hour requirements vary by major.   For questions or to learn more about internship/co-op options for your major, we recommend you set up an appointment with your Career & Internship Advisor.   

 Co-op

Students work for multiple semesters with the same company in positions that provide experience directly related to their academic majors. Students may receive academic credit or audit credit for participation, and they must be paid a wage or alternative form of compensation (e.g. commuting expenses, meals, etc.). Position is paid and full–time (40 hours per week)   Full-time enrollment during school terms between work terms is highly encouraged   Sophomores, juniors, seniors, and students in graduate school with a declared eligible major   Must have completed at least 30 completed credit hours   Must have a 2.50 KSU GPA are eligible to participate   Must have completed one semester at KSU prior to beginning an intern or co-op position   Must watch the Internship/Co-op Video below   Summer semester may be utilized in the co-op rotation schedule, but is not a required semester.

Learn more about the requirements and expectations for internships and co-ops by reading the Guiding Principles document.

How to Find & Obtain an Internship or Co-op

• Step One: Meet With Your Career and Internship Advisor

  Your Career & Internship Advisor is your go-to person for exploring opportunities, preparing to apply and interview, and registering for academic credit. Click here to make an appointment with them today through Handshake!
  
  

• Step Two: Search & Apply

  Start looking for your internship or co-op the semester before you'd like to participate. Handshake is a perfect place to start your search with over 8,000 positions available. Click here to start searching! 

• Step Three: Interview & Accept

  Once you've received an interview offer, contact our office and schedule a mock interview to ensure you are prepared! After you ace your interview and are offered the position, remember to ask for an offer letter before you accept. Need help preparing for your interview? Check out these resources:

  Office Contact Information
  InterviewStream
  Make an Appointment for a Mock Interview

• Step Four: Apply for Academic Credit
  After you've accepted your offer, log into Handshake and fill out an "Experience" form to start the process of applying for academic credit. Note: there are strict deadlines for this process. Be sure to visit our "College-Specific Advisor Information" for major-specific details.
• Step Five: Register for Your Internship/Co-op Course
  After your "Experience" form on Handshake is approved and you receive an email from your Career & Internship Advisor, You MUST register for the internship/co-op course in Owl Express. Don't forget to include your internship/co-op on your resume!

 Internship/Co-op FAQs

• Will I have tuition and fees to pay for the internship/co-op course?

  All internship and co-op courses are tuition and fee-bearing for-credit academic courses, except for COOP 2000 and ENGR 3398, as these are non-credit/audit courses with no academic requirements or tuition costs. A breakdown of tuition and fees based on the amount of credit hours taken is linked here.
   
  Under new federal guidelines, federal student loans being used to pay tuition will only be applied to those utilized and/or required in your course program of study. Courses that are not eligible to be paid with federal student loans will be flagged in DegreeWorks and students will be notified.

  Please read the Course Program of Study and Awarding Policy by KSU Financial Aid in full prior to registering for an internship or co-op. 
   
  At this time COOP 2000 and ENGR 3398 are flagged as ineligible for federal student aid. However, there are not tuition costs associated with either of these courses as they are not credit-bearing. 

• Do I have any additional steps to take to apply for internship/co-op credit if I'm an international student?
  In the Handshake Experience form, which serves as the application for internship/co-op credit, please respond appropriately to the specific question asking if you are an international student. Then, follow up with International Student and Scholar Services by contacting  ISSS@kennesaw.edu  to learn about the CPT/OPT process.
• My internship for summer was cancelled, what should I do?

  Unfortunately, some internships are being deferred or cancelled due to COVID-19. The good news is that there are still companies moving forward with hosting summer interns! Check out the job board on Handshake or our poll information on which past participating internship/co-op employers are still hosting summer interns.

• My summer internship may be delayed, what do I do?

  If you’re receiving academic credit for the internship, please contact your faculty member for your internship course and your Career and Internship Advisor.

• Should I apply for remote internships?
  Yes! Remote internships will provide a slightly different experience, but it can still be a great option to gain experience. If you’re an international student, there may be certain limitations on your participation in remote internships. Please contact the International Student Scholar Services Office to get more information on your eligibility.
• How do I let my employer know that I don't feel comfortable going on-site for the internship? I'd prefer a remote internship.
  Most employers are making great strides to keep intern and employee safety a priority. If you’re uncomfortable, professionally express your concerns with your direct supervisor at the company. If you need help knowing exactly what to say, contact your Career and Internship Advisor for help on how to walk through the conversation step-by-step.
• I'm having a hard time finding an internship, are companies still hiring?
  Yes! There are many great job search sites, including Handshake, to assist you in finding internship opportunities.
• Can I use my current job to get internship/co-op academic credit?
  If you already have a job that you feel qualifies as a co–op or internship, review the qualifications for academic credit that are specific to your major on the left side of this page.  All positions have to be approved through the Department of Career Planning & Development.
• If my GPA is below the internship requirement now but I think it will raise to 3.0+ (and/or, if I’m currently registered for the required class), can I be eligible for internship credit after this semester is over?
  Possibly. Contact your Career and Internship Advisor to discuss your exact situation.
• I got an offer but my company is waiting to assess the COVID situation. What do I do if they cancel the internship?
  Internship and co-op sites are assessing the impacts of COVID-19 daily. If your site chooses to cancel your internship or co-op, ask if the offer can be deferred until Fall to still give you the opportunity to participate in a future semester. Next, ask if there are any projects you can work on remotely. Project experience is a great line item to add to your resume. It will also show a great deal of grit and perseverance on your behalf that you continued to pursue experience in the face of adversity.
• What does the application process look like? What steps do I need to take? What are the requirements?
  Check out the process for your specific major by visiting your college's page under the "College Specific Advisor Information" on the lefthand side of this page.
• I don’t know who my supervisor is yet, and won’t until after my first day. Who should I put in my application?
  You can include your HR representative you’ve been in touch with and email your Career and Internship Advisor to update the information as soon as you have it.
• What if I have an interview before the deadline but won’t know about the offer until after the application is due?
  Communication is key! Email your Career and Internship Advisor and your faculty member teaching your internship course as soon as possible to make them aware of your situation.
• I already have an internship/co-op offer, but I am waiting on another; what should I do?
  Congratulations! That’s a great problem to have! You’ll want to weigh the pros and cons of the offer you have and the one you’re waiting on. Does one more closely match your preferred job and location after graduation? Would one have a total compensation package that is significantly higher than the other? In terms of applying for academic credit, move forward by completing an Experience form with your first offer. Then, email your Career and Internship Advisor and internship course faculty member to make them aware of your situation.
• Where in Handshake do I apply for academic credit?
  Please complete the Experience form in Handshake.
• I applied to the position through Handshake. Does that count?
  No (but congratulations on applying for a job/internship/co-op!). In order to get academic credit for your internship or co-op, you’ll need to fill out the Experience form in Handshake after you’ve accepted an internship/co-op offer.
• What are the dates for the semester? Can I begin early/continue after?
  Your internship or co-op should begin and end with the start and end dates for each semester, which can be found here. Some faculty may be more flexible on start and end dates. Therefore, reach out to them as soon as you know you’ll have different start and end dates to get their permission.
• I began my role last semester – am I still eligible for credit?
  Maybe, but keep in mind that KSU does not award retroactive credit. This means we cannot award academic credit for a past internship or co-op. However, if you’ve started an internship or co-op in the last 6 months and plan to continue working, check with your Career and Internship Advisor to see if you should apply for academic credit.
• How do I find an internship abroad?
  Contact the Education Abroad (educationabroad@kennesaw.edu) office before accepting an internship offer abroad. You can search for these internships under the "Jobs" tab in Handshake, GoAbroad.com, and GoOverseas.com.