Academic Internship Course

Academic Internships are available to juniors and seniors to pursue an opportunity linked to their major or minor. Eligibility criteria are:

• Junior or senior status during semester of internship
  • Sophomores must submit an appeal to the Career Advancement Center. Contact cacintern@lakeforest.edu for more information.
• Good judicial and academic standing
• Academic advisor approval
• Academic Probation: Students on academic probation are not eligible to receive academic credit for an internship. Appeals to this policy may be submitted to the Career Advancement Center. Contact cacintern@lakeforest.edu for more information.
• Disciplinary Probation: Students on disciplinary probation may not be allowed to earn credit for an internship while on probation. Students who are on probation, have displayed a pattern of behavior, or have had at least one serious violation, may need to discuss their eligibility directly with the Dean of Students.

Refer to our Academic Internship Program Fact Sheet for additional information about the internship search process and timeline.

• Internship must be completed in a student’s major or minor.
• A minimum of 1 credit and maximum of 2 credits may be awarded for each internship per semester. 
  • 1 credit = 150 work hours
  • 2 credits = 300 work hours
  • Students may complete up to 3.0 internship credits during their time at the College. 
    • Students in the Lake Forest College In The Loop program can complete a 4th internship credit as part of the In The Loop program. 
• Retroactive credit is not permitted. Students must register with their Internship Specialist and complete weekly assignments as part of the Academic Internship Moodle Course.
• 100% commission-based internships will not be approved for academic credit.  

The internship search is a two-semester process!

Meet with your Internship Specialist to discuss the Academic Internship search and application process as early as possible in the semester prior to your planned internship. You must meet with your internship specialist and start your search plan no later than the following dates* for each term:

• Fall term: July 15
• Spring term: November 1
• Summer term: April 15

*Some organizations, such as those in Business and Finance, may start recruiting for interns one year in advance!

Take the following steps to begin your internship search:

1. Complete the Academic Internship Interest Form. 
2. Meet with your Internship Specialist. 
3. Develop and implement your internship search strategy. Your internship specialist will help you identify internship search resources and methods, review your resume and cover letters, prepare for interviews, and guide you through the Academic Internship approval process.

Be aware of these important timelines:

• Fall and Spring Semesters: Internship applications are due one week prior to the add/drop date for classes to allow time for approvals.
• Summer Terms: The preferred registration deadline for summer Academic Internships is one week prior to the first day of the May Term. All internship hours and required internship assignments must be completed by the last day of the July Term. Learn more about summer internships on the Summer Internships page.
• Acceptance of Offer: Once an offer has been accepted, the student is expected to stop applying for positions and decline subsequent interviews. Students must honor their commitment to their employer once they have accepted an offer. Talk with your Internship Specialist to help evaluate an offer before accepting and committing to the position.
• Start/End Dates: Academic Internships include required internship assignments. Internship start/end dates must coincide with those of the academic semester. Students must secure approval from their Internship Specialist before starting their internship. Any hours worked prior to the first day of classes will not count toward the required minimum. Additionally, if students complete their minimum required hours early, they may not end their internship prior to the last day of classes.

Academic Internships:
Academic Internships are credit-bearing internships. Students earn academic credit for the hours spent on-site at their internship and by completing required weekly assignments supervised by an Internship Specialist. Students will identify and set internship goals, target employers offering meaningful learning experiences, and complete the accompanying coursework.

Continuation of Internship or Part-Time Job:
Internships must provide career-building experience. Students wishing to continue an existing internship or part-time job as an Academic Internship must show that their responsibilities have significantly changed and demonstrate how the new responsibilities will give them a unique educational and academic experience.

Internship Modality:
Internships may be in-person, remote, or hybrid.

Commission-Based Internships:
Internships based solely on commission will not be approved.

Non-Credit Internships:
Students who are not yet eligible to complete an Academic Internship, have earned all available internship credits, and/or wish to pursue an internship that does not meet the Academic Internship Program Guidelines may choose to pursue a non-credit internship.  Non-credit internships are separate from our formal Academic Internship Program and are student-directed. Students may work with an Internship Specialist for additional career advising support and assistance developing their search strategy, however these internships are not supervised by the Career Advancement Center. Some organizations may only offer internships for academic credit.

Pursuing an internship (for-credit or non-credit) is just one way a student may satisfy the Experiential Learning requirement. Please refer to the Forester Fundamental Curriculum webpage for a complete list of options to complete this requirement.

Complete the Experiential Learning with an internship in two ways:

1. Academic Internships
   1. Complete a minimum of 150 work hours.
   2. Pass the accompanying Internship Moodle Course, complete all required assignments, and submit a reflection at the end of the course.
2. Non-credit Internships
   
   1. Follow the instructions as outlined in the FFC-EL Non-Credit Application Guide.
   2. Identify a Faculty Supervisor.
      • Internship Specialists can offer support and assistance developing your search strategy, however, non-credit internships are not supervised by the Career Advancement Center. 
   3. Complete the FFC-EL Non-Credit Application Form.
   4. Review the FFC-EL Non-Credit Completion Guide and submit the necessary forms to satisfy the EL requirement.

1. Complete the Academic Internship Interest Form. The Career Advancement Center will assign you to an Internship Specialist who will help you with your internship search. 
2. Review the Academic Internship Program Guidelines.
3. Connect with your Academic Advisor to ensure that an Academic Internship will fit into your academic plan.
4. Meet with your Internship Specialist by the dates listed above to discuss the Academic Internship search and approval process.
5. Once you have secured an internship, contact your Internship Specialist to get registered. 

Academic Internships are available to international students with junior or senior status to pursue an internship linked to their major. 

Eligibility criteria are:

• Junior or senior status during semester of internship
  • Sophomores must submit an appeal to the Career Advancement Center. Contact cacintern@lakeforest.edu for more information.
• Good judicial and academic standing
• Academic advisor approval
• Academic Probation: Students on academic probation are not eligible to receive academic credit for an internship. Appeals to this policy may be submitted to the Career Advancement Center. Contact cacintern@lakeforest.edu for more information.
• Disciplinary Probation: Students on disciplinary probation may not be allowed to earn credit for an internship while on probation. Students who are on probation, have displayed a pattern of behavior, or have had at least one serious violation, may need to discuss their eligibility directly with the Dean of Students.

Please refer to our Academic Internship Program Fact Sheet for additional information regarding the internship search process and timeline.

• International students must be registered for internship credit in their major field of study in order to participate in Curricular Practical Training (CPT). See Employment and Eligibility for more information.
• A minimum of 1 credit and maximum of 2 credits may be awarded for each internship per semester. 
  • 1 credit = 150 work hours
  • 2 credits = 300 work hours
  • Students may complete up to 3.0 internship credits during their time at the College.
    • Students in the Lake Forest College In the Loop program can complete a 4th inernship credit as part of the In The Loop program. 
• Retroactive credit is not permitted. Students must register with their Internship Specialist and complete weekly assignments as part of the Academic Internship Moodle Course.
• 100% commission-based internships will not be approved for academic credit.  

The internship search is a two-semester process!

Meet with your Internship Specialist to discuss the Academic Internship search and application process as early as possible in the semester prior to your planned internship. You must meet with your internship specialist and start your search plan no later than the following dates* for each term:

• Fall term: July 15
• Spring term: November 1
• Summer term: April 15

*Some organizations, such as those in Business and Finance, may start recruiting for interns one year in advance!

Take the following steps to begin your internship search:

1. Complete the Academic Internship Interest Form. 
2. Meet with your Internship Specialist. 
3. Develop and implement your internship search strategy. Your internship specialist will help you identify internship search resources and methods, review your resume and cover letters, prepare for interviews, and guide you through the Academic Internship approval process.

Be aware of these important timelines:

• Fall and Spring Semesters: Internship applications are due one week prior to the add/drop date for classes to allow time for approvals.
• Summer Terms: The preferred registration deadline for summer Academic Internships is one week prior to the first day of the May Term. All internship hours and required internship assignments must be completed by the last day of the July Term. Learn more about summer internships on the Summer Internships page.
• Acceptance of Offer: Once an offer has been accepted, the student is expected to stop applying for positions and decline subsequent interviews. Students must honor their commitment to their employer once they have accepted an offer. Talk with your Internship Specialist to help evaluate an offer before accepting and committing to the position.
• Start/End Dates: Academic Internships include required internship assignments. Internship start/end dates must coincide with those of the academic semester. Students must secure approval from their Internship Specialist before starting their internship. Any hours worked prior to the first day of classes will not count toward the required minimum. Additionally, if students complete their minimum required hours early, they may not end their internship prior to the last day of classes.*
  
  *International students may not start their internship before receiving CPT authorization from either Sandra Ortiz (F-1 Visas) or Alexandra Olson (J-1 Visas). See Employment and Eligibility for more information.

Academic Internships:
Academic Internships are credit-bearing internships. Students earn academic credit for the hours spent on-site at their internship and by completing required weekly assignments supervised by an Internship Specialist. Students will identify and set internship goals, target employers offering meaningful learning experiences, and complete the accompanying coursework.

Continuation of Internship or Part-Time Job:
Internships must provide career-building experience. Students wishing to continue an existing internship or part-time job as an Academic Internship must show that their responsibilities have significantly changed and demonstrate how the new responsibilities will give them a unique educational and academic experience.

Internship Modality:
Internships may be in-person, remote, or hybrid.

Commission-Based Internships:
Internships based solely on commission will not be approved.

Non-Credit Internships:
International students on an F-1 or J-1 Visa are not eligible to complete non-credit internships.

Pursuing an internship is just one way a student may satisfy the Experiential Learning requirement. Please refer to the Forester Fundamental Curriculum webpage for a complete list of options to complete this requirement.

International students are not eligible to pursue non-credit internships. To complete your Experiential Learning requirement with an academic internship:

1. Academic Internships
   1. Complete a minimum of 150 work hours.
   2. Pass the accompanying Internship Moodle Course, complete all required assignments, and submit a reflection at the end of the course.

Other qualifying experiences

• International students may be eligible to satisfy the Experiential Learning requirement with another qualifying experience. More information may be found on the Forester Fundamental Curriculum webpage. 

1. Complete the Academic Internship Interest Form. The Career Advancement Center will assign you to an Internship Specialist who will help you with your internship search. 
2. Review the Academic Internship Program Guidelines.
3. Connect with your Academic Advisor to ensure that an Academic Internship will fit into your academic plan.
4. Meet with your Internship Specialist by the dates listed above to discuss the Academic Internship search and approval process.
5. Once you have an offer, contact your Internship Specialist to request CPT work authorization and get registered. 
   • Work authorization is required for international students before they start their internship:
     • F-1 Visa international students, contact Sandra Ortiz, DSO SEVIS Coordinator, (x5202 or sortiz@lakeforest.edu).
     • J-1 Visa international students, contact Allie Olson, Director of the Global Engagement Office, (x5231 or aolson@lakeforest.edu). 

Transfer students must complete at least one semester on the Lake Forest College campus before pursuing an Academic Internship.

Academic Internships are available to transfer students of junior and senior standing to pursue an internship linked to their major or minor (Note: International students on an F-1 or J-1 Visa must complete their internship in their major only). 

Eligibility criteria are:

• Junior or senior status during semester of internship
  • Sophomores must submit an appeal to the Career Advancement Center. Contact cacintern@lakeforest.edu for more information.
• Good judicial and academic standing
• Academic advisor approval
• Academic Probation: Students on academic probation are not eligible to receive academic credit for an internship. Appeals to this policy may be submitted to the Career Advancement Center. Contact cacintern@lakeforest.edu for more information.
• Disciplinary Probation: Students on disciplinary probation may not be allowed to earn credit for an internship while on probation. Students who are on probation, have displayed a pattern of behavior, or have had at least one serious violation, may need to discuss their eligibility directly with the Dean of Students.

Refer to our Academic Internship Program Fact Sheet for additional information about the internship search process and timeline.

• Internship must be completed in a student’s major or minor.
• A minimum of 1 credit and maximum of 2 credits may be awarded for each internship per semester. 
  • 1 credit = 150 work hours
  • 2 credits = 300 work hours
  • Students may complete up to 3.0 internship credits during their time at the College. 
    • Students in the Lake Forest College In The Loop program can complete a 4th internship credit as part of the In The Loop program. 
• Retroactive credit is not permitted. Students must register with their Internship Specialist and complete weekly assignments as part of the Academic Internship Moodle Course.
• 100% commission-based internships will not be approved for academic credit.  

The internship search is a two-semester process!

Meet with your Internship Specialist to discuss the Academic Internship search and application process as early as possible in the semester prior to your planned internship. You must meet with your internship specialist and start your search plan no later than the following dates* for each term:

• Fall term: July 15
• Spring term: November 1
• Summer term: April 15

*Some organizations, such as those in Business and Finance, may start recruiting for interns one year in advance!

Take the following steps to begin your internship search:

1. Complete the Academic Internship Interest Form. 
2. Meet with your Internship Specialist. 
3. Develop and implement your internship search strategy. Your internship specialist will help you identify internship search resources and methods, review your resume and cover letters, prepare for interviews, and guide you through the Academic Internship approval process.

Be aware of these important timelines:

• Fall and Spring Semesters: Internship applications are due one week prior to the add/drop date for classes to allow time for approvals.
• Summer Terms: The preferred registration deadline for summer Academic Internships is one week prior to the first day of the May Term. All internship hours and required internship assignments must be completed by the last day of the July Term. Learn more about summer internships on the Summer Internships page.
• Acceptance of Offer: Once an offer has been accepted, the student is expected to stop applying for positions and decline subsequent interviews. Students must honor their commitment to their employer once they have accepted an offer. Talk with your Internship Specialist to help evaluate an offer before accepting and committing to the position.
• Start/End Dates: Academic Internships include required internship assignments. Internship start/end dates must coincide with those of the academic semester. Students must secure approval from their Internship Specialist before starting their internship. Any hours worked prior to the first day of classes will not count toward the required minimum. Additionally, if students complete their minimum required hours early, they may not end their internship prior to the last day of classes.

Academic Internships:
Academic Internships are credit-bearing internships. Students earn academic credit for the hours spent on-site at their internship and by completing required weekly assignments supervised by an Internship Specialist. Students will identify and set internship goals, target employers offering meaningful learning experiences, and complete the accompanying coursework.

Continuation of Internship or Part-Time Job:
Internships must provide career-building experience. Students wishing to continue an existing internship or part-time job as an Academic Internship must show that their responsibilities have significantly changed and demonstrate how the new responsibilities will give them a unique educational and academic experience.

Internship Modality:
Internships may be in-person, remote, or hybrid.

Commission-Based Internships:
Internships based solely on commission will not be approved.

Non-Credit Internships:
Students who are not yet eligible to complete an Academic Internship, have earned all available internship credits, and/or wish to pursue an internship that does not meet the Academic Internship Program Guidelines may choose to pursue a non-credit internship.  Non-credit internships are separate from our formal Academic Internship Program and are student-directed. Students may work with an Internship Specialist for additional career advising support and assistance developing their search strategy, however these internships are not supervised by the Career Advancement Center. Some organizations may only offer internships for academic credit.

Pursuing an internship (for-credit or non-credit) is just one way a student may satisfy the Experiential Learning requirement. Please refer to the Forester Fundamental Curriculum webpage for a complete list of options to complete this requirement.

Complete the Experiential Learning with an internship in two ways:

1. Academic Internships
   1. Complete a minimum of 150 work hours.
   2. Pass the accompanying Internship Moodle Course, complete all required assignments, and submit a reflection at the end of the course.
2. Non-credit Internships
   
   1. Follow the instructions as outlined in the FFC-EL Non-Credit Application Guide.
   2. Identify a Faculty Supervisor.
      • Internship Specialists can offer support and assistance developing your search strategy, however, non-credit internships are not supervised by the Career Advancement Center. 
   3. Complete the FFC-EL Non-Credit Application Form.
   4. Review the FFC-EL Non-Credit Completion Guide and submit the necessary forms to satisfy the EL requirement.

1. Complete the Academic Internship Interest Form. The Career Advancement Center will assign you to an Internship Specialist who will help you with your internship search. 
2. Review the Academic Internship Program Guidelines.
3. Connect with your Academic Advisor to ensure that an Academic Internship will fit into your academic plan.
4. Meet with your Internship Specialist by the dates listed above to discuss the Academic Internship search and approval process.
5. Once you have secured an internship, contact your Internship Specialist to get registered. 
   • Work authorization is required for international students before they start their internship:
     • F-1 Visa international students, contact Sandra Ortiz, DSO SEVIS Coordinator, (x5202 or sortiz@lakeforest.edu).
     • J-1 Visa international students, contact Allie Olson, Director of the Global Engagement Office, (x5231 or aolson@lakeforest.edu). 

Economics/Business/Finance, Mathematics, Computer Science, Data Science

Albert Greene
Internship Specialist
847-735-5235
greene@lakeforest.edu

*Schedule an appointment via Handshake. Need help scheduling an appointment? View our Handshake Help Page here.

Art, Art History, Communication, English, Music, Music Education, Theater

Danielle Kelly
Pathway Leader and Internship Specialist
847-735-5235
dkelly@lakeforest.edu

*Schedule an appointment via Handshake. Need help scheduling an appointment? View our Handshake Help Page here.

American Studies, Area Studies, Asian Studies, Foreign Languages, History, International Relations, Latin American Studies, Legal Studies, Philosophy, Politics, Religion, Sociology and Anthropology

Jen Lazarus
Pathway Leader and Internship Specialist
847-735-5235
lazarus@lakeforest.edu 

*Schedule an appointment via Handshake. Need help scheduling an appointment? View our Handshake Help Page here.

HPP, Pre-Health, and Broader Clinical Careers
Common majors: Biology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Chemistry, Neuroscience, and Physics

Khadija Manzoor
Internship Specialist
847-735-5235
kmanzoor@lakeforest.edu

Environmental Studies, Psychology, Physical Science, and Broader Science Careers

Deja McClellan
Career Specialist
847-735-5235
dmcclellan@lakeforest.edu 

*Schedule an appointment via Handshake. Need help scheduling an appointment? View our Handshake Help Page here.