Computer Science and Information Systems Internships

To be eligible to enroll in an internship course, you must:

• be a computer science or computer information systems major
• have a GPA of at least 2.67 in the courses in your major
• have completed or have concurrent enrollment in CSCI 401: Software Engineering, if you are a computer science major
• have permission of both the program chair and the dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences

Computer Science

Computer science majors enroll in CSCI 467: Directed Internship and work at a business or nonprofit organization, integrating their studies in computer science with work-based learning supervised by a faculty member. A two-hour biweekly seminar is included. 

Computer Information Systems 

Computer information systems majors enroll in CIS 467: Directed Internship. This course is currently being transitioned from the School of Business to the School of Arts and Sciences. Please contact the coordinator of computer information systems for more information.

What Internship Courses Provide

An internship course gives you the opportunity to:

• develop skills in applying theory to practical work situations
• test your aptitude and/or interest in a particular career
• develop skills and techniques directly applicable to your career.
• develop/acquire good work habits
• develop and enhance employment opportunities
• achieve higher levels of academic performance
• facilitate your transition from college to full-time employment

Method of Instruction 

You will spend an average of one hour a week in seminar plus 12 hours a week at your work site. Your seminar will include discussions of the technical issues and other issues you encountered in your internship and a final internship report from you. Your final report should contain the following items: 

• a brief description of the company, what it does, and how it is organized
• a brief description of your job duties
• a description of your projects
• a discussion of the relevance of your work experience to your academic and professional development
• any special challenges that you faced

Method of Evaluation 

Your instructor, your on-site supervisor, and you will sign an Internship Proposal and Agreement Form specifying the requirements for you to satisfactorily complete the on-site component of the internship. This form will include the following information: 

• name and address of the organization
• location where you will be working, if different
• contact information for the on-site supervisor
• hours and duration of the internship
• brief description of your job duties and/or projects. These should directly relate to your major
• procedures for evaluation and grading, including evaluations from the on-site supervisor

In addition, you must successfully fulfill the requirements for the classroom component of the course. 

End of Semester Process

At the end of the semester, the evaluation materials from the on-site supervisor must be submitted. These materials may be signed by the supervisor and submitted by the student or sent directly to the instructor, as specified on the Internship Proposal and Agreement Form. At a minimum, the supervisor’s evaluation should include certification that you worked the required hours and performed the agreed upon duties. 

Based on the Internship Proposal and Agreement Form, your supervisor’s evaluation, and your performance in the classroom component of the course, your instructor will assign a grade of satisfactory or unsatisfactory. 

Search for an Internship

Students who are eligible for and interested in taking CSCI 467 should investigate internship and other career opportunities by:

• working with the Career Development Center
• checking with the Computer Science and Information Systems Department
• searching on your own (internet postings, personal contacts, friends)

After Finding an Internship

• meet with the instructor to seek approval of your job description
• complete and turn in an Internship Proposal and Agreement Form Please Note: This document must be approved by the on-site supervisor, signed by you, and returned to your instructor with a copy retained by you and the on-site supervisor by November 15 for a spring internship, April 15 for a summer internship, July 31 for a fall internship.
• receive approval from the program chair 
• receive approval from the dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences

The instructor will communicate with the on-site supervisor at the start and end of the semester and as needed. 

CSIS Internship Application

CSIS Internship Proposal and Agreement Form