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Internship for Credit

Internship for Credit Program

Shepherd students can earn college credit as part of a paid or unpaid internship or co-operative work agreement. The number of credits is determined by a faculty review of the student’s application. The grade is based on the student’s interim and final reports. The course may cover Fall, Spring, or Summer work, but the student must be enrolled at Shepherd during that semester. Please review the course catalog entries for these classes.

  • CIS 492 – Cooperative Work Experience in Computer Science and Engineering
  • CIS 396 – Internship in CIS
  • CIS 392 – Cooperative Work Experience in Programming
  • CIS 292 – Cooperative Work Experience in Computer Science and Engineering

Employment opportunities

Employment opportunities are available within a comfortable distance from Shepherd. Every year students obtain internship and co-op opportunities with employers such as U.S. Coast Guard Technology Center, U.S. Veterans Hospital, and the IRS.

The Washington Gateway program is available to students who wish to take advantage of the educational, intellectual, and cultural resources available in the Washington metropolitan area. In the past our students have benefitted from field trips to the National Security Agency, the FBI, the Spy Museum, and numerous other sites in Washington, D.C., area.

Internship Committee

  • A Review Committee comprised of three CME faculty (including the instructor) will be established each term.
  • The Committee will determine if the student is permitted to enter the CIS 396, CIS 292, CIS 392, or CIS 492 ideas.
  • The internship Committee will determine upon the completion CIS 396, CIS 292, CIS 392, or CIS 492 if the student has fulfilled all departmental requirements.
  • If, for any reason, the student is unable to complete all the requirements of the internship/externship/cooperative, it will be up to the discretion of the Review Committee to determine if the student is eligible for an incomplete grade for the term in which the internship/externship/cooperative was conducted.
  • If the student is permitted to receive the incomplete grade, the student must complete the internship/externship/cooperative requirements during the next term (the summer term will count as the next term for students receiving an incomplete grade for the spring term).

Documents

Below are documents related forms for Co-Op and internships.

Internship Supervisor Form: PDF or DOC

CIS 396 Final Report Template: PDF or DOC

Guidelines for CIS 396 – Internships

  1. The student must provide a Commitment Letter from the company that includes the following information:
    1. Type of internship: part or full time; paid or non-paid*.
    2. Starting period, ending period, and the length of the internship
    3. A detailed scope of the assignments and responsibilities during your employment
    4. Your specific task and duties during your employment
    5. Your immediate onsite supervisor – Title/position
    6. How and how often you’re evaluated.
    7. Statement that the employer has agreed to release information about your performance and responsibilities.

    *The department does not encourage non-paid internship. If you plan to start a non-paid internship, the Internship Committee may require more information about the nature of your work during your employment.

  2. The Commitment Letter must be submitted to the advisor, the Internship Committee and the department Chair three weeks before the starting date.
  3. You are required to adhere to all the specifics that are included in CIS 396 syllabus, should your request to enter CIS 396 is approved by the committee.
  4. You must keep an Internship Portfolio, in binder form, containing the Commitment Letter, Weekly Reports, Final Report, and Presentation Slides.
  5. You should send the weekly report to the internship instructor by email. You are also required to enclose hard copies of your weekly reports in your Internship Portfolio.
  6. It is your responsibility to turn in your Internship Portfolio to your instructor before final week for grading. Fail to turn in portfolio on time may result in a failing grade.
  7. The number of credits will be decided by the Internship Advisor, the Internship Committee, and the Department Chair. The basis for credits is comparison of the amounts of effort and learning to that of traditional 3-credit courses within the department.
  8. A repeat internship is possible but the details would have to be worked out with the department.

Important Note: CIS 396 is offered only with the approval of the academic advisor. Students may be required to sign up for Co-Op in CIS; CIS 292, CIS 392 or CIS 492. Please discuss the matter with your advisor before planning to take CIS 396.