Services
CoBA Internship Credit Approval Process
An internship is a valuable educational experience that allows students to apply classroom knowledge in a professional setting while gaining practical skills, industry insight, and professional connections.
Students are responsible for identifying, applying for, interviewing for, and securing their own internship opportunities. The BPC does not place students into internships, serve as an employment agency, or guarantee internship opportunities with employers. Rather, the BPC supports students through career coaching, resume and cover letter reviews, interview preparation, networking assistance, employer connections, and internship search strategies.
Once a student has secured an internship, it must be reviewed and approved to determine whether it meets CoBA requirements for academic credit. Approval is based on factors such as job responsibilities, relevance to the student's major, supervision, and opportunities to apply knowledge gained through upper-level coursework.
Students are encouraged to begin their internship search early to allow sufficient time to secure an opportunity and complete the internship credit approval process before the applicable deadline.
Eligibility:
Third- and fourth-year students may enroll in the 3-credit internship course to expand their experience, strengthen career goals, and build confidence in their chosen field.
HTEM Internship Approval: HTEM students must complete a 400-hour internship and obtain approval through the HTEM Internship Coordinator before beginning. Students enroll in HTEM 371B after completing the required hours. Contact: Ravi Karan – ravikaran@siu.edu
ECON Internship Approval: ECON students seeking internship credit must follow the department's approval process. Contact: Kevin Sylwester – School Director, Analytics, Finance & Economics – ksylwest@siu.edu
Career Support for HTEM & ECON Students: While internship approval for academic credit is handled through your academic department, the BPC is here to support your career development. We assist ALL CoBA students with internship search strategies, resume and cover letter reviews, employer connections, interview preparation, LinkedIn development, and other career readiness resources to help you secure and succeed in an internship.
Requirements to Earn Credit
The internship must allow students to actively apply skills gained in upper-level coursework rather than perform general or entry-level tasks.
Important: Securing an internship does not automatically guarantee approval for academic credit. All internships are reviewed to ensure they meet College of Business and Analytics internship requirements.
Before You Apply
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Secure an internship that is related to your major (e.g., Accounting, Business Analytics, Finance, Management, Marketing, etc.) and meets College of Business and Analytics requirements for academic credit approval.
- Maintain a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA.
- If interning with a for-profit organization, the internship must be paid (nonprofit organizations are exempt).
- Before submitting your application, save a copy of your completed responses. If revisions or additional information are requested, you will need access to your original submission to make updates.
- Submit the Internship for Academic Credit Application by the applicable deadline.
- After submitting your application, share the application link with your internship supervisor/coordinator so they can complete the required employer information. Internship approval cannot move forward until both the student and employer portions have been submitted.
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Internship credit is not approved until all required approvals have been received from the Academic Advisor, Business Placement Center Director, and School Director.
After Approval
- Register for the corresponding internship course (ACCT, BSAN, FIN, MGMT, or MKTG 495) during the same semester you intern. Academic credit cannot be awarded retroactively.
- Complete 180 work hours to earn 3 credit hours.
Deadlines
- Fall Internship: July 15
- Spring Internship: October 31
- Summer Internship: April 30
For questions, contact the Business Placement Center at placement@siu.edu or 618-453-2603.
SIU Extern Program
For over 40 years, SIU’s Extern Program has connected more than 4,000 students with alumni and professional partners nationwide, providing hands-on career exploration and development opportunities. This one-week, unpaid experience allows students to apply classroom learning in real-world settings, gain industry insight, and build valuable professional networks.
Open to students who have completed at least three semesters (including transfer, JD, and master’s students), the program offers job-shadowing opportunities each spring across a wide range of career fields, often leading to mentorships, internships, and even full-time positions.
Student Externship Program Guide
BPC Job Board
Your next opportunity is waiting!
The BPC Internship & Job Board is your one-stop hub for internships, part-time jobs, and full-time career opportunities designed to help you gain hands-on experience and grow your professional network.
From Fortune 500 companies to local businesses, explore openings that align with your goals, interests, and major. Whether you’re testing career paths or ready to land your dream role — we’re here to help you get there. Search. Apply. Succeed. Every connection you make brings you closer to the career you’ve been preparing for.
|
Company Name |
Link to application |
Deadline to apply |
| Banterra Bank | Facilities Intern | See application link |
| Habits 365 Greek | Marketing Intern | See application link |
|
EquiTrust Life Insurance Company |
Internal Audit | See application link |
|
Department of Commerce| International Trade Administration |
International Economist | See application link |
| Program Facilitator (Chicago) | See application link |
Explore thousands of internship and job opportunities tailored to SIU students on Handshake, our official career platform. Connect with top employers and find positions that match your major and career goals.