Mount Saint Vincent University offers a limited enrollment internship option for students registered in either the 20.0 unit Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree. Students accepted into the internship program complete all required coursework for the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree, and, in addition, complete a 1.0 unit internship course, either BART 3399 or BSCI 3399.
The internship program allows students to formally integrate their academic program with professional work experience prior to graduating. All students accepted into the internship program will complete one paid internship with a government department, agency, non-profit, or corporate business.
By gaining professional work experience through the internship program, students will have an opportunity to determine career goals; gain practical knowledge and experience; develop confidence, maturity, and human relations skills; apply academic lessons to practical working situations; generate employment contacts; and provide financial assistance to meet educational expenses.
Participation in the internship program is at the discretion of individual departments and programs.
All students completing the internship option must complete the mandatory Professional Development Program, which provides students with the tools to assist them in securing an internship term and reflecting on their internship experience. Topics include the roles of the various partners in the educational program, the job competition process, self-assessment, job search, résumé and cover letter writing, interview techniques, work term projects, developing personal learning plans, and understanding the workplace.
Program Standards
Before completing the internship, students must meet these prerequisites:
1. achieved a 2.0 CGPA at the end of the academic term prior to the job search;
2. completed 15.0 units of university credit;
3. declared a major; and
4. enrolled as a full-time student when applying for admission into the internship program, and the terms before and after the internship.
There are four possible grades for internships:
1. P (Pass) – Student successfully completes the internship requirements
2. F (Fail) – Student does not successfully complete the internship requirements. A failing grade for the internship work term results in dismissal from the internship program
3. W (Withdrawal) – Student withdraws from the internship program prior to accepting an internship or is unable to complete the internship due to unforeseen circumstances as approved by the academic department and/or the Co-op & WIL Centre
4. F* (Failure due to an academic offence) – A student who engages in dishonest activity related to the internship, either before, during, or after the internship may be charged with an academic offence, which could result in a grade of F* for the internship. A failing grade in an internship results in dismissal from the internship program
Summary of Regulations
In order to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree with the internship option, students must:
❏ fulfill the requirements of the degree in which they are enrolled
❏ maintain a 2.0 CGPA at the end of the academic term prior to the job search
❏ be enrolled as a full-time student when applying for admission into the internship program, and the terms before and after the internship
❏ have a declared major prior to applying for admission to the internship program
❏ attend all the professional development sessions facilitated by the Co-op & WIL Centre
❏ complete the internship during the eligible term only
❏ complete one internship with a passing grade and in accordance to the standards prescribed. For a description of the appropriate standards, students must consult the University Calendar entry for BART 3399 or BSCI 3399
❏ adhere to the policies and procedures as outlined in the Terms & Conditions for Internship Students, Student Guide to the Arts and Science Internship Program and the University Calendar
Withdrawal Dates
Depending on the time of withdrawal from the internship program, the following situations may occur:
• tuition fees may be assessed for any withdrawal from the internship program according to the withdrawal policy;
• withdrawal from the internship program prior to a job offer being accepted will result in a “W” for the internship and a withdrawal fee according to the withdrawal policy;
• withdrawal from the internship program if the student is not successful in securing an internship will result in a “W” for the internship and a withdrawal fee according to the withdrawal policy;
• once a job offer is accepted, withdrawal without permission will result in an “F” for the internship and full tuition fees will apply according to the withdrawal policy; and
• if a student fails to complete the internship requirements, an “F” will result for the internship and full tuition fees for the internship according to the withdrawal policy.
Deferral Policy
Students are not eligible to defer the internship to a future term. Students who are not successful in securing an internship, or are not able to fulfill the requirements of the internship program, are required to withdraw from the internship program. Withdrawal fees and grades in accordance to the “Program Standards” will apply.
Self-Directed Job Search
Students who fail to actively participate in all stages of the internship process within the parameters of the internship policies, procedures, regulations and the Terms and Conditions for Internship Students will be given a status of “Self Directed.” This status results in the student being removed from the application and interview cycle. Details of the “Self Directed Job Search” status are outlined in the Terms and Conditions for Internship Students provided by the Co-op & WIL Centre.
Appeal Process
Students are able to appeal decisions regarding admission to, and withdrawal from, the internship program as well as the assignment of an “F” or “F*” for the internship work term. All appeals will be made in writing to the Academic Appeals Committee.
Internship Work Term Regulations
During the internship, the student is an employee in all matters pertaining to conditions of employment, and a student only for the purposes of academic evaluation. The University accepts no responsibility for the working environment in which the student is employed.
Internship Tuition Fees
The internship program is an academic program that integrates terms in the classroom with a term in the workplace. The internship process for the work term is an eight-month period starting with internship preparation the term prior to the work term, the internship itself, and the debriefing and evaluations the term after the internship. The internship receives an academic credit valued at 1.0 unit. As such, internship students pay tuition fees for each academic term and tuition fees for the internship.
Application Dates
Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science students apply for admission to the internship program in early September once they have completed 10.0-12.0 units of coursework. Students should check with the Co-op & WIL Centre to confirm the exact application dates.
Students who choose to apply to the internship program must complete the internship application form and submit it to the Co-op & WIL Centre by the application deadline. The application form requires sign-off by the department Chair in the student’s declared major.
A maximum of ten Bachelor of Arts and a maximum of five Bachelor of Science students will be annually admitted to the internship program. Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission into the internship program.
Courses
BART 3399
Bachelor of Arts Internship 1.0 unit
Prerequisites: completion of the professional development program delivered by the Co-op Office; written permission of the Chair of the department or Coordinator of the program in which the student is a major
An opportunity to deploy skills learned in the classroom over a 13-17 week summer term of full-time paid work. Students will develop learning objectives, submit an internship project, and participate in a debriefing session. Evaluation is based on the learning objectives, a work site visit, an employer evaluation, and the internship project.
BSCI 3399
Bachelor of Science Internship 1.0 unit
Prerequisites: completion of the professional development program delivered by the Co-op Office; written permission of the Chair of the department or Coordinator of the program in which the student is a major
An opportunity to deploy skills learned in the classroom over a 13-17 week summer term of full-time paid work. Students will develop learning objectives, submit an internship project, and participate in a debriefing session. Evaluation is based on the learning objectives, a work site visit, an employer evaluation, and the internship project.
