O'Neill School Undergraduate Internship Requirement

At the O’Neill School, real-world experience is a crucial part of your education. All students pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Public Affairs (BSPA), Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management and Policy (BSHMP), or Bachelor of Science in Arts Management (BSAM) must complete an internship as part of their degree program. 

While you complete your internship, you’ll also take a 1-credit online course: 

 

Internship Requirements and Restrictions 

Academic and Learning Requirements

• The internship must be an extension of the classroom, providing an opportunity to apply knowledge gained through coursework in a professional setting.
• Your internship tasks should be a learning experience, and not simply be to advance the operations of the employer or replace the work that a regular employee would routinely perform.
• The skills and knowledge you gain must be transferable to other employment settings.
• The internship must have a defined start and end date and include a job description with responsibilities and duties clearly stated.
• Your internship should have clear learning goals that connect to your academic and career plans.

Hours and Credit Requirements

• You must complete at least 120 internship hours and the V381/H466 course to fulfill the requirement.
• Travel time to and from the internship does not count toward your required internship hours.

Internship Course Expectations

• You must enroll in the required internship course during the same term as the approved internship. Retroactive approvals are not permittted, and previous internship experience cannot satisfy this requirement.
• If approved, you will be automatically enrolled in the required 1-credit internship course (V381/H466) within 7-10 days of approval. 
• You must complete all required assignments in Canvas as part of the course.
• You must ensure that your supervisor submits a final evaluation, which must include the total number of hours worked. 

Restrictions and Prohibited Activities

• Internships should not require you to purchase or rent training materials, marketing kits, or sales materials as a condition of employment.
• Internships should not require you to promote or sell products or services on campus unless explicitly authorized by the university.
• Internships cannot involve soliciting memberships for an enterprise or organization.
• The internship must involve work that is fully legal at both the state and federal levels.
• Internships involving door-to-door sales, cold calling, or telemarketing will not be approved.

Supervision and Work Environment

• You must be supervised by a professional with relevant expertise and an appropriate educational or professional background.
• Supervisors cannot be relatives or other students. If a recent graduate is supervising, they must have at least two years of professional experience in the field.
• Your employer must give you the tools, equipment, and workspace you need to do your job and learn effectively.
• Internships can be in-person, remote, or hybrid. Remote and hybrid internships must include:
  • Clearly defined responsibilities and deliverables with clear deadlines.
  • Weekly virtual meetings with a designated supervisor for feedback, training, and guidance.
• Employers must be established businesses. Internships cannot take place in private homes or other non-commercial settings.

Other Considerations

• If an employer provides housing as part of the internship, the position will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
• Your internship cannot be a Residential Advisor (RA), Teaching Assistant (TA), Research Assistant (RA) position, or a standard part-time job.

 

Internship Approval and Course Enrollment

Your internship must be approved before you are enrolled in the required internship course.

• The deadline to submit your internship for approval for fall 2025 is Friday, October 3
• If approved, you will automatically be enrolled in the required 1-credit course (SPEA-V381/H466) within 7-10 days of approval.
• See the IU Calendar for a list of important deadlines realted to enrollment, tuition, and fees. Contact Student Central with any questions. 

Internship Submission Instructions
Before you can enroll in your internship course, you must follow these steps to ensure your experience is approved:

1. Secure an Internship – Find and accept an internship that meets the O’Neill School’s internship standards. You may complete your internship as a freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior, and during Fall, Spring, or Summer terms. Both paid and unpaid internships are permitted.
2. Check Your Eligibility – You must:
   1. Be admitted to the O’Neill School
   2. Be in good academic standing with a minimum 2.300 O'Neill GPA (or 2.700 for Law and Public Policy majors) and a 2.000 cumulative GPA.
   3. Have completed SPEA-V252/H267 Career Development and Planning or be currently enrolled in SPEA-V252/H267.
3. Submit Your Internship for Approval by the required deadline Submit Your Internship Here 
   1. If you have never logged in to Handshake before, it may ask you a few questions to establish your profile.
   2. You may also find this form in Handshake by clicking “Career Center” on the left-hand side of your screen, then click the “Experiences” button.
   3. Click “Submit an Experience” and use the drop-down Experience Template to choose “O’Neill Undergraduate Student Internship”.
   4. Choose the dropdown for the term that says “O’Neill” and the appropriate academic term. Students who select the incorrect term or template will be asked to complete another form.
   5. Complete the form as fully as possible, as incomplete information may delay the review process.
4. Wait for Review – The Internship Coordinator will review your submission within 7-10 business days. Providing detailed information about your responsibilities can help prevent delays. Watch your IU email for our response.
5. Receive Notification – You will receive an email confirming whether your internship is approved or denied.
6. Enrollment information - If approved you will be automatically enrolled in the required 1-credit internship course (SPEA-V381/H466) within 7-10 days of approval. See the IU Calendar for a list of important registrar deadlines related to enrollment, tuition, and fees–contact Student Central with questions.

Internship Credit and Costs

• Credits: The required internship course is one credit. If you are working more than 120 hours, you may be eligible to enroll in additional credits (1 credit per 80 additional hours worked, up to a maximum of 5 elective credits). See your academic advisor to discuss whether you would benefit academically from additional elective credits.
• Tuition and Fees: Internship credits have the same tuition and fees as other classes. Use the [IU tuition calculator] (insert link) for an estimate of cost or contact Student Central for details.
• Grading: Internship courses are graded on a Pass/Fail basis.

 

Special Cases and Exceptions

Accelerated Master's Program (AMP) Students
If you’re in the Accelerated Master’s Program (AMP), you must complete an internship for your master's program and one for your undergraduate degree (if required for that program).

International Students
You must obtain work authorization from the Office of International Services (OIS) before starting your internship, whether it is paid or unpaid, remote or in-person. Failure to get authorization may result in visa violations and SEVIS record termination. Apply for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Academic Training (AT) well in advance. OIS strongly recommends that students apply for work authorization before beginning their internship opportunity. Find more information at Visas & Work Authorization: Student Employment: Office of International Services: Indiana University. OIS will ask if you have had a meeting with your academic advisor. You may indicate “yes” if you have submitted your internship for approval in Handshake.

Internship Requirement Waiver
If you’ve been away from the O’Neill School for at least one year and have one year of full-time professional or military experience, you may request a waiver. This won’t give you credit, but it will satisfy the requirement. Email Miranda Redman at mdredman@iu.edu for details.

Military or National Guard Training
If you’re serving in the military or National Guard, your training may count as your internship. The training must be at least 120 hours, and you must enroll in the internship course during the same semester. Alternative assignments will be arranged for the online coursework.