A large majority of Penn State Brandywine students (85-87%) complete at least one internship before graduating. Half of our majors have a required internship built into the curriculum.
- Definition
- Unpaid Internships - Law and Policy
- Internship Coordinators by Major
- Requirements for Brandywine Majors
We encourage employers to utilize a variety of recruiting methods to connect with our student interns, through Career Services as well as through the faculty Internship Coordinator (see contacts below). Refer to the Recruiting page to learn how to advertise internship opportunities with your organization.
Definition (as defined by the National Association of Colleges and Employers)
An internship is a form of experiential learning that integrates knowledge and theory learned in the classroom with practical application and skills development in a professional setting. Internships give students the opportunity to gain valuable applied experience and make connections in professional fields they are considering for career paths; and give employers the opportunity to guide and evaluate talent.
Unpaid Internships – Law and Policy
Students can complete an internship with or without pay, provided that employers are abiding by the law as defined by the Department of Labor. Penn State Brandywine encourages employers to also abide by the criteria defined by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (a professional organization to which all Penn State campuses subscribe) which offers more clarity.
Although employers may legally and ethically sponsor interns without pay, it is proven that some amount of compensation, even if in the form of a stipend, provides incentive, motivation and support to students, many of whom prioritize in this way out of necessity. The applicant pool is likely to be more robust when some form of compensation is offered.
The 6 Criteria Required by Law (employers must comply)
The 7 Criteria as defined by NACE (to which Brandywine subscribes)
Internship Coordinators by Major
|
Major |
Internship Coordinator |
|
Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
|
American Studies |
Dr. Julie Gallagher |
610-892-1464 | |
|
Business* |
Kathleen Yanoshak |
610-892-1227 | |
|
Communications Arts & Sciences |
Dr. Wayne McMullen |
610-892-1426 | |
|
Corporate Communications* |
Karrie Bowen |
610-892-1336 | |
|
Elementary Education* |
Dr. Patricia VanLeuven |
610-892-1462 | |
|
English |
Dr. Adam Sorkin |
610-892-1444 | |
|
Human Development & Family Studies* |
Kathleen Meehan |
610-892-1323 | |
|
Information Sciences & Technology* |
Nannette D’Imperio |
610-892-1343 | |
|
Letters Arts & Sciences |
Patricia Hillen |
610-892-1372 | |
|
Psychology |
Dr. Cynthia Lightfoot |
610-892-1432 |
Requirements for Brandywine Majors
Students from all majors can complete an internship. Students can complete an internship with or without credit, unless the employer requires enrollment in a credit-bearing course. Five majors at Brandywine have a required internship built into the curriculum. The number of hours and credits varies from major to major..
|
Major |
Year Student Completes Internship |
# hours
|
Total # credits
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
Business (Options: Financial Svcs, Mktg, Mgmt) |
Senior |
300+ |
7-10 |
|
Corporate Communications |
Senior |
120 |
3 |
|
Elementary Education |
Senior
|
480 |
18 |
|
Human Development & Family Studies |
Senior |
480 |
14 |
|
Information Sciences & Technology |
As early as
|
300 |
1 |