U. announces summer internships to count as academic credit, CPT possible for undergrads

Beginning with the summer of 2020, the University will allow summer internships to be counted toward academic credit and recognized on transcripts on a departmental basis, according to a memo sent on the morning of Nov. 18 by Dean of the College Jill Dolan.

International students may also now apply for curricular practical training (CPT) in specific domestic internships, a program which would allow them to work in the United States over the summer. Previously, CPT was not available to undergraduate students as there were no undergraduate internship courses available for credit.

Internships that are recorded by the University will not be granted course credit, so they cannot be used to advance a student toward their degree.

The Working Group on Internships and the Undergraduate Curriculum was established this past summer to evaluate the educational role of internships and created a report to “formalize the relationship between experiential learning and the undergraduate curriculum.” As a result, the Committee on the Course of Study has approved a plan to allow University departments to award academic credit for internships that are “directly related to students’ concentrations,” beginning with this coming summer. Individual departments have the option of giving credit for internships.

“We are pleased that this curricular change may help eliminate obstacles to such experiences for many students, including international students seeking domestic internships and domestic students pursuing internships that require them to receive academic credit,” Rebekah Massengill, Associate Dean in the Office of the Dean of the College, wrote in an email to the Daily Princetonian.

“We believe all students benefit from opportunities to deepen their critical thinking through practical learning experiences,” Massengill wrote.

Details are still being considered, specifically in clarifying the process for departmental review and approval of the internships.

“Please note that departments will have the choice to participate in this program or not,” Dolan wrote. “For those of you in departments that choose to participate, please be assured that earning academic credit for internships will not be required for all students.”

Dolan encouraged students with questions concerning summer internship plans to contact staff members at the Davis International Center and the Center for Career Development.

This is a breaking story and will be updated as more information becomes available.