Frequently Asked Questions 

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Students

What is an internship?

Any official or formal program to provide practical experience for beginners in an occupation or profession

What is the general process for performing an internship at UVU? 

  1. Locate an internship
  2. Meet with your internship coordinator
  3. Complete the UVU internship Orientation
  4. Apply for academic credit
  5. Complete assignments in your internship course
  6. Complete other tasks specific to your internship course including the Internship Completion Assessment and Supervisor Evaluation near the end of your internship experience.

View and Download a full list of tasks

 

How do I find an internship?

There are several ways in which you can find an internship opportunity, including talking to the Internship Coordinator for your major, a faculty member, students who have already or are currently performing an internship, performing an internet search, or the UVU Handshake system.  UVU Handshake is an automated job board where employers post internship opportunities specific to UVU students. 
Where can I go?
Students can perform internships locally, out-of-state, or internationally.  Some restrictions do apply.  Talk to your Internship Coordinator for more information. 
What can I do to prepare for an internship?
Meet and discuss best practices with your Internship Coordinator, a Career Counselor from the UVU Career Development Center, and/or visiting the UVU Internship Services Tip Page.
How do I get internship credit?
Students can apply for academic credit on the following page by selecting their major.  UVU Internship Applications.  Those seeking general elective credit will apply using the University College, Student and Leadership Success Studies Internship Application.

Why do I have to complete an internship application for each semester I am registered for an internship?

Students need to complete an internship application each semester due to the fact that learning objectives need to be assessed each semester through the faculty supervisor and site supervisor.  In addition, if you are performing an internship at a new site, relevant information proposing your internship will need to be collected. 

Can I get credit for an internship I've done before the current semester?

No. Credit for a previous internship will not be awarded as a faculty supervisor would be unable to assess the student and the student would be unable to complete approved and specific assignments. 

When should I complete an internship?

Students can complete an internship anytime during their time at Utah Valley University.  A more general, introductory internship is often performed by students earlier in their academic career for elective class credit, while a major specific internship is often performed in a student's junior and/or senior year for core class credit. 

What is the deadline for getting an internship?

Deadlines vary by academic department.  Students can review department-specific application pages or contact their appropriate Internship Coordinator to find out more information.  Applications and Internship Coordinators

Who can help me with the internship process?

Students can contact their college's Internship Coordinator for department-specific information.  General questions not related to your major can also be answered by contacting the Internship Services department at 801-863-6589.

Are internships an option for international students?

Yes! As an F1 student, you must have an employment authorization on your I-20 before beginning an internship.   Full time students and/or students graduating in the semester of their internship can only work up to 20 hours per week.  International students cannot begin working at their place of internship without first having an I-20 authorization.   After you have completed your internship application, your  information will automatically be forwarded to the International Student Services Office for review.   Please refer to the following page for more information. https://www.uvu.edu/iss/immigration/

Are internships an option for undocumented students?

Yes! There are some addtional considerations and restictions, however, depending on individual circumstances. Please refer to the following page for more information. https://www.uvu.edu/studentaffairs/initiatives/

Do I need to pay full tuition for academic internship credits?

Yes. An internship course is like any other course and is based upon the UVU Tuition scale.

Can I get credit for working at my current job?

It depends.  If students are willing to take on additional responsibilities and additional learning objectives at their job, it may be approved if the internship is determined to have has academic merit and applies to the student's course of study.  This merit is determined by the Internship Coordinator within a particular UVU college.

Can I get paid for an internship?
Absolutely.  Currently about 50% of internships are paid.  Some fields like those related to Engineering & Technology average around 80%.
Are there scholarships available?
Yes.  Scholarships are available for students performing unpaid internships. In addition, students performing out-of-state, and or international internships (paid or unpaid) can apply as well.  More information can be found on the UVU Internship Services Scholarship Page.

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Faculty & Advisors

How can I best help the student with the internship process?

Suggestions:

Faculty Tips

Advisor Tips

Is there any kind of list of internship opportunities that I can access?

There are a few ways in which faculty and advisors can obtain a list of internships:

  1. Search the UVU Handshake system by job type (internship), major, industry, and/or keyword to see a relevant list.
  2. Visit one of our College-Specific Internship Pages.  
  3. Contact your department Internship Coordinator.

What do I need to know about late student registration?

Depending on specific departmental policy, a student can be added late to an internship course up to and in limited cases, after the mid-semester without incurring additional fees. See your college's Internship Coordinator for additional information.

What do I need to know about workload conversion?


Each department has three options for structuring faculty supervisor pay:

  1. Adjunct Instructor
  2. Faculty member overload
  3. Faculty member regular load

Refer to the information below:

  • Adjunct faculty will be paid by the contact hour as outlined in Internship Services policy. For internship courses, contact hours = credit hours.
  • Faculty workload will be determined by the standard USHE formula for a remote education course. This is factored as students x credit hours/20
  • That calculation will then be multiplied by .6 to represent the division of workload among the faculty supervisor and the internship coordinator. Note that the internship coordinator does not receive 40% of the compensation, this is merely a representation of the division of workload. The multiplier can be variable depending on the unique division of workload for each department.
  • Departments are responsible to ensure the course catalog lists contact hours that are equal to credit hours, not hours the student will be working during the internship.
  • Departments are responsible to ensure the internship coordinator for their college is listed each semester as a co-teacher.
  • Course enrollment should not exceed 30 students (the maximum enrollment for an adjunct instructor)

How do I access the UVU Internships Canvas Course Template?

Follow the simple instructions found on the page 5 Easy Steps for Setting Up Your Internship Course.

Who can help me with internship related Adobe Sign documents?

For any questions regarding Internship Services Adobe Sign forms, please contact Martin Overly, Internship Services

Who do I contact if I have internship related questions?

General questions can be answered by contacting the Internship Services department at 801-863-6589. 

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Employers

What is the general process for employers regarding internships at UVU?
  1. Assess the needs of your organization
  2. Create a plan
  3. Complete the UVU Internship Agreement
  4. Recruit an Intern/Post a position on UVU Handshake
  5. Hire the Intern
  6. Manage and mentor the Intern
  7. Evaluate the Intern
How much will hosting an intern add to my daily workload?
This depends, but successful internships in line with UVU academic requirements will generally involve regular check-ins and feedback with the intern as well as the completion of a Supervisor Evaluation at the end of the internship experience. 
How do I post an internship?

One of the best ways to recruit a UVU intern is to post your position/s on UVU Handshake.  The system is easy to use and is free to employers. 

To get started:

  1. Visit the following website https://app.joinhandshake.com and create your company profile.
  2. Create your user account and join an existing company or create a new company account.
  3. Select Utah Valley University as your school of choice.
  4. Register for events, post jobs, etc. 

After submitting a job description electronically, it will be reviewed for approval. After approval students will then be able to view your position and apply.

More information can be found on the UVU Internship Services Posting an Internship Page

What are some things I can do to better recruit interns or promote internships at UVU?

  1. Develop a structured plan outlining what the intern will be doing over the course of their internship with defined expectations, qualifications, and responsibilities.
  2. Avoid being vague in the wording of your internship posting. Specific information regarding desired qualifications, job responsibilities, wage, and work schedule can go a long way to attracting a student.
  3. Make the internship a paid opportunity. As an example, an internship in fields like marketing, graphic design, computer science, and finance will nearly always be paid. To ensure interest in your positions, we recommend that you offer compensation.
  4. Participate in events such as the Career and Internship Fair or STEM Fair. See the recruiting section, to learn more.
  5. Connect with one of our Internship Coordinators. There is a coordinator for every major at UVU and depending on your field of interest, we want to connect you with the best coordinator for your specific needs. If you have any questions regarding UVU schools and/or majors offered at our university, please contact Martin Overly, Internship Services

What are UVU interns expected to complete during their internship?

While responsibilities will vary depending on department, interns performing an internship for academic credit at UVU are all expected to complete assignments and evaluations.  This may also include the official recording of hours worked.  

What is the average pay for an intern?

 The average pay for UVU interns across all majors is approximately $14.92 an hour. 

What are the rules for paid vs unpaid internships?

Paid interns make ideal workers — hungry to learn, eager to make a good impression and willing to perform a multitude of tasks. The relatively small amount of money employers spend on intern wages and benefits is a good investment. If pay is not possible, unpaid internships must comply with the U.S. Fair Labor Standards Act ( FLSA ). This law has determined that you don’t have to pay interns who qualify as learners/trainees.

The U.S. Department of Labor has outlined seven criteria for determining trainee status. The FLSA does not limit an employer’s ability to hire paid interns or restrict a paid employee’s ability to receive college credit for their work. It also does not limit unpaid internships for non-profits who rely on volunteers for their labor. Please reference the U.S. Department of Labor Fact Sheet #71: www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/whdfs71.htm

How long does a student have to work?

Most students complete at least a semester of service (3-4 months) depending on their course requirements, but it is not unusual for students to continue to perform an internship with an organization beyond a semester.  

How many working hours do students need to complete?

This depends on the number of credit hours in which they are registered.  Depending on a student's major, the formula for working hours to credit hours is generally 60-75 hours per credit.  The most common credit registration is 3 hours.  In this case, as student would work approximately 15 hours per week for the duration of the semester.  

Must I provide Worker's Compensation?

Unpaid Interns: Utah Valley University requires unpaid interns to receive academic credit. Unpaid interns are covered with workers’ compensation and liability insurance by the university only if they are receiving college credit.

Paid Interns: For paid internships, the employer is required to provide workers’ compensation benefits along with any other benefits required by law. A stipend is considered a paid position and the employer is responsible for providing workers’ compensation. See the Master Internship Agreement (page 19) that a site provider signs prior to hiring an intern.

Do I need to sign an agreement with the university?

All employers need to complete a Master Internship Agreement with the university.  Agreements are valid for five years.   Agreements do not need to be completed for each individual student, just the university.  To determine if your organization's agreement is currently valid, you can look on the Internship Providers list. 

I am a 1099 Independent Contractor.  Can I hire a UVU intern?

Generally not. In most cases, independent contractor ( 1099 ) positions are not appropriate as internships because the legal definition of an independent contractor assumes that the student needs no training and can perform their duties independently. An independent contractor is not controlled or supervised by the company. This is at odds with the concept of an internship. 

How do I complete the Supervisor Evaluation?

The Supervisor Evaluation is initiated by the student intern.  You will then receive a notification by email for you to complete the evaluation. 

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