About Internships at Walsh University

These guidelines provide a general overview of internship expectations at Walsh University but do not encompass the specific requirements of every academic major. Students work closely with the Internship Coordinator within their program to ensure academic requirements are met before accepting an internship.

Walsh University follows NACE’s Position Statement for U.S. Internships. Employers with additional questions are encouraged to contact the Office of Alumni & Career Connections at careerconnections@walsh.edu.

Student Eligibility & Academic Credit

Q: Which students are looking for internships?
A: Walsh University requires all undergraduate students to complete an internship within their major in order to graduate. The Office of Alumni & Career Connections also encourages students to participate in additional experiential learning opportunities, including practicums, for-credit internships, and non-credit internships.

Q: How do students earn academic credit for an internship?
A: Students are responsible for communicating internship requirements to their supervisors and ensuring all required forms are completed prior to the start of the internship. Employers are encouraged to complete at least one performance evaluation during the internship experience. In some cases, the Internship Coordinator may request a check-in meeting to discuss student progress.

Sample Internship Performance Evaluation (PDF)

Q: How many hours are required for academic credit?
A: Credit hour requirements vary by program but typically follow these guidelines:

  • 1 credit hour = 45 hours (approximately 3 hours per week)
  • 3 credit hours = 135 hours (approximately 10 hours per week)
  • 15 credit hours = full-time (approximately 40 hours per week)

Internship Structure & Expectations

Q: What disqualifies an internship from receiving academic credit?
A: Internships must provide meaningful, career-related work and include direct supervision. Positions that focus primarily on clerical tasks—such as making copies or running errands—or high-pressure sales roles that require students to rely on their personal networks are typically not approved for credit.

Q: What does Walsh expect from employers offering internships?
A: Walsh University values internships that allow students to apply academic knowledge, develop technical and professional skills, work on substantive projects, and build mentorship relationships and professional networks.

Compensation & Compliance

Q: Should internships be paid or unpaid?
A: The Office of Alumni & Career Connections strongly recommends paid internships, as they improve accessibility and attract a broader pool of candidates. Some academic programs may restrict paid internships; students will communicate those requirements when applicable.

Q: How much should an intern be paid?
A: At minimum, federal minimum wage is recommended, though compensation may vary by industry and role. Employers are encouraged to review NACE’s Internship Guide for additional guidance.

Recruiting Walsh Students

Q: How do we recruit Walsh interns?
A: Employers can begin by developing a clear internship position description. A sample internship position description (PDF) is available for reference. Career Connections staff are also available to assist with refining position language.

Employers are encouraged to register on Walsh University’s Handshake platform, where internships and jobs can be posted directly to students. Handshake also provides access to campus recruiting events, including career and internship fairs.