EXPL 205 (summer) and 206 (semester) courses provide the ability to receive academic credit connected to your internship experience. EXPL courses must be taken in conjunction with the internship and upon completion of the course, the student will receive 0.13 units of credit or 1 credit hour regardless of which section is taken (205 or 206). Students may not receive more than 0.52 units of credit or 4 credit hours and can take the course a maximum of four times.  

EXPL 205

EXPL 205 (summer) has a 240-hour internship requirement. All students electing to do a summer internship for .13 units of credit or 1 credit hour will be part of a cohort of students assigned to one shared faculty member who will act as the EXPL faculty advisor. Students will attend one meeting at the end of April — prior to their summer internship — to receive instructions from the EXPL faculty advisor. Students will also be expected to participate in up to two summer conference calls with the EXPL cohort to discuss experiences and explore connections to academic/professional goals; attend scheduled meetings with the EXPL faculty advisor; complete the hour requirement; and meet all reflective requirements for faculty review. Students will also be required to submit a resume and cover letter to the Career Development Office. Students can upload the resume and cover letter in the registration process or at a later time.

Requirements

  • Complete the EXPL Registration Form to sign up for EXPL 205.*
  • Attend the April cohort class with the EXPL faculty advisor. During this class, students will review how their internship connects with academic and/or career goals, discuss learning goals, and review expectations for reflection requirements.*
  • Attend mid-summer conference call(s) facilitated by the EXPL faculty advisor.
  • Complete any additional summer-time reflections as assigned by the EXPL faculty advisor.
  • Successfully complete a minimum of 240 internship hours.
  • Write and submit a final reflective essay.

*A secured internship is not required for these steps.

Reflection Paper Considerations

  • Due at the end of September
  • A minimum of 1200 words and no more than 5 pages in length
  • To include the following:
    a. Introduction
    b. Description of work experience/projects/duties/site
    c. Internship connection to academic focus
    d. Academic insights gained from the internship
    e. Overall internship evaluation-reflection of personal and professional learning and growth
    f. Conclusion

EXPL 206

EXPL 206 (semester) has a 60-hour internship requirement (4 hours/week minimum). Students interested in gaining .13 units of credit or 1 credit hour for an internship conducted over the semester need to consult with a faculty member to request that they serve as faculty of record for the course. Once a faculty member agrees, they act as the student’s EXPL faculty advisor and will talk with the student periodically throughout the term about the student’s experience and its connection to academic and professional goals. Students will also be required to submit a resume and cover letter to the Career Development Office. Students can upload the resume and cover letter during the registration process or at a later time. Students will also meet reflective requirements including submitting an end of semester essay for faculty review. If an internship runs a full year, a reflective essay is still required at the end of each semester in which the student is enrolled in EXPL 206.

Requirements

  • Confirm a faculty member to serve as your EXPL faculty advisor.
  • Complete the EXPL Registration Form to sign up for EXPL 206.
  • Schedule a conversation with your EXPL faculty advisor prior to the start of the internship to review how this internship connects with academic and/or career goals, discuss learning goals, and to review expectations for reflection requirements.
  • Successfully complete a minimum of 60 internship hours.
  • Complete an end of semester conversation with your EXPL faculty advisor to review the following topics:
    • How did this internship fit (or not) into your respective classes?
    • What was the most challenging aspect?
    • Consider your assumptions, values and beliefs about the work and/or related issues going into the internship and how they’ve been challenged, changed or affirmed throughout the experience. (How has your service changed the way you think?)
    • What was your most memorable experience?
    • Was there anything that surprised you?
  • Write and submit a final reflective essay before the end of classes. If your internship runs a full academic year, you are still required to write a reflective essay at the end of each semester in which you're enrolled in EXPL 206.

Reflection Paper Considerations

  • Due by end of semester
  • A minimum of 1200 words and no more than 5 pages in length
  • To include the following:
    a. Introduction
    b. Description of work experience/projects/duties/site
    c. Internship connection to academic focus
    d. Academic insights gained from the internship
    e. Overall internship evaluation-reflection of personal and professional learning and growth
    f. Conclusion