Faculty Sponsor Information

The Faculty Sponsor provides guidance to the student and oversight of the individual academic internship. The role of the Faculty Sponsor is to review the proposed internship for quality and rigor at the 300 level, help students develop learning goals, set academic means of evaluation, follow up with the student throughout the internship, and assign the P/F grade at the end of the term. Faculty Sponsors are also asked to schedule a site visit (in person or through other means where possible). 

Expectations of a Faculty Sponsor

The role of a Faculty Sponsor is to ensure that the internship is a valuable learning experience for the student. Faculty can do this by completing the following essential duties at key points in the Academic Internship processes: 

  • Course Designation and Credit: Academic Internships are designated as major or elective credit (NDL). Based on the description of the internship, work with the student to determine if the experience should be counted as major or elective credit. Verify that the indicated credit load (between 0.5-3 credits) is allowed by the department. 
  • Internship Description: Review the duties of the internship to determine experience quality and intellectual rigor. Academic Internships are credited at the 300 level. Request revisions or clarification where needed. 
  • Learning Outcomes: Review and provide feedback on the student’s Learning Outcomes and Tasks. Determine appropriateness of Learning Outcomes for the 300 level internship course and registered number of credits.
  • Students will submit their academic internship form via Handshake, Career Development’s online platform
    • This form will require students to provide the following details: responsibilities, learning outcomes, faculty and site supervisor. Learning outcomes should be reviewed and approved by faculty sponsors prior to submitting the electronic form.
  • Designated faculty sponsors will receive and email from Handshake titled: An Experience Needs Your Approval
    • Faculty should review the form and click approve or deny. If denied, students can edit the form and resubmit for corrections. All forms are reviewed by Career Development prior to approval requests from faculty or site sponsors.

  • Academic Assignments: To assess the connection of knowledge developed in the classroom to a professional setting Faculty Sponsors are asked to set academic work as a component of the internship.
  • Types of Assignments: Assignments from Faculty Sponsors can consist of one or more of the following: topic or reflection paper; journaling; selected readings; portfolio; other assignment as determined by the Faculty Sponsor. Faculty Sponsors are asked give one or more of the following assignments: a summary paper, journal assignments, and selected readings. 
  • Site Supervisor Evaluations: At the end of the internship, evaluations can be requested from the Site Supervisor which will be shared with the Faculty Sponsor
  • Grading: All academic internships are graded on a pass/fail basis and should be submitted by the deadline established by the Registrar.

  • Student Contact: Regular, consistent engagement and contact with student throughout internship is expected.
  • Site Visit: Around the middle of the term Faculty Sponsors are asked to schedule a site visit (in person or through other means where possible) to meet with the student and the Site Supervisor to discuss the internship and assess the value and quality of the experience. Career Development will conduct site visits on the behalf of the Faculty Sponsor as needed. Mileage and parking expenses will be reimbursed for all site visits.

Student Role and Registration Information

  • Obtaining an internship: It is the responsibility of the student to search and apply for internships. Gustavus Career Development provides various resources for students including Handshake, an online job and internship database to discover an internship, and resources by industry areas.
  • Completing the registration form: Students who seek to earn academic credit for an internship must initiate and submit the required completed registration form by the applicable deadline to Career Development for final review and approval for registration. The Registration form must be completed via Handshake.
    • Additional information on Academic Internship Registration can be found here.
  • Fees: For Fall and Spring Academic Internships, there are no additional fees to the student as long as the total credits are not above the maximum. Summer Academic Internships have an associated fee set yearly by the College’s Board of Trustees.
  • Registration Deadlines: See Academic Credit Information
  • For Time Requirements and Credit information, see the table below.
SemesterLengthCredit to Hours
Fall and Spring14 weeks0.5-1 credit = 10 hours
2 credits = 20 hours
3 credits = 35+ hours
SummerMinimum of 10 weeks0.5-1 credit = 10-12 hours
2 credits = 20 hours
3 credits = 35+ hours
Table of time requirements and credit information for Academic Internships.

Site Supervisor Role

The Site Supervisor will be the individual who the Gustavus student reports to at the internship site and the point of contact for the Faculty Sponsor. While a student can work in a relative’s office, that family member cannot be the student’s Site Supervisor. 

For more information on the role of the Site Supervisor, click HERE.

Career Development Role

The role of Career Development is to assist the student at key points in the Academic Internship and Career Exploration process:

  • Search: Provide advice and assistance with résumé and cover letter writing, manage the identification of prospective employers (including maintenance of the Handshake database), and assist with interview preparation.
  • Registration: Provide reliable information by the most accessible means available, work in harmony with the Registrar’s Office, enforce registration deadlines and requirements firmly, consistently, and fairly.
  • Orientation: Provide reliable information and encouragement to enable students to commence their internships with confidence, and set high expectations for professionalism both on campus and at internship site.
  • Employer Relations: Promote Gustavus to employers, cultivate and maintain relationships with employer partners, risk management, site evaluation, and troubleshooting.

You are encouraged to contact Career Development at any time if you have questions or concerns.