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Internships

Internship Program

For more information about the Internship program or to apply for an Internship, contact the School of Computing Internship Coordinator Ms. Melissa Smith by email at mesmith@southalabama.edu or by phone at (251)460-6390.

Internship Program Overview

The Internship Program represents a positive step in developing partnerships with education and industry to provide education and training that is impossible to provide with either environment alone.

The program began in 1995 with 20 students,and continues with over 50 students participating annually.

The program has been a win, win, win opportunity:

  • USA is able to provide a unique opportunity to students that few other universities can match.
  • The industry partner has a man-power resource and the opportunity to provide timely feedback as input to curriculum decisions that influence the training of future employees in our community.
  • Students gain confidence in their ability to be competitive while learning to apply classroom content to real-world problems.

The purpose of the partnership with industry is to provide educational opportunities for students in the technical disciplines to apply classroom theory to practical problems. Lessons learned from industry benefit all students through intern contributions to classroom discussion and group projects.

Internship Program Objectives

  • Students will apply classroom knowledge to real world problems.
  • Students will share knowledge gained in the industrial environment with all students through class participation and project presentations.
  • Students will practice communication and team building skills in the workplace.
  • Industry partners will provide role model/mentoring resources for students, with an emphasis on underrepresented groups in the technology based disciplines.
  • Strengthen awareness of education as a community responsibility.
  • Improved quality of education as a result of direct communication link between educational institution and potential employer providing constant feedback for curriculum refinement.

Minimum Internship Requirements

  • 2.75 GPA
  • Completion of one semester as a full-time student at USA
  • Satisfactory completion of four courses specific to your major. For example: IS majors could complete ISC 245, CIS 115, CIS 321, and one additional SoC course

Note: The SoC Internship Program is open to all students at the University, but most opportunities are available for SoC students.

Internship Program Policies

  • Interns must conform to the university’s Personnel Policy for Student Employees while in the program. The internship program defines full time as a minimum of twelve (12) hours for undergraduate students and six (6) hours for graduate students.
  • Interns will register for a zero (0) credit internship course each semester while in the academic enhancement program.
  • Interns will work a maximum of twenty (20) hours per week during the academic semester and, if requested and approved, up to a maximum of twenty-eight (28) hours per week between semesters. Note: It is expected by the industry partner that all interns work the full 20 hours per week during the academic session and commit to the program for a minimum of two (2) semesters.
  • Interns must maintain an above average grade point average (2.75 or 3.00 GPA) while in the program. If a student’s GPA drops below this level, they will be placed on probation for the internship program for one semester. During this semester, they must bring the GPA back up to the acceptable limit or they will be removed from the program.
  • Academic misconduct will be grounds for immediate dismissal from the internship program.
  • It is the student’s responsibility to report any on-the-job injury to the USA Internship Coordinator within 24 hours and be seen by the USA Student Infirmary, Health Services Building, 460-7151, per the attached copy of the Personnel Policy for Student Employees.
  • Students are responsible for their own medical insurance and expenses in case of injury or illness.
  • Graduate students electing to participate in the internship program will not be eligible for graduate assistantship positions for two full semesters.