Compensation

Approximately forty percent of internships available to students studying liberal arts disciplines are paid. Internships with non-profit organizations or in government are significantly less likely to be paid than internships in the private sector. In order for a for-profit organization to legally offer an internship, that internship must meet the guidelines of the Fair Labor Standards Act. Specifically, the experience must be educational and of significant benefit to the intern. If you are interested in a specific unpaid internship that you feel does not meet these standards, please come into our office for assistance evaluating the experience.

Academic Credit

Occasionally, organizations may mandate that students pursuing internships with them receive academic credit from their college. Davidson recently approved a new mechanism that allows students who must receive academic credit for their summer internship to receive that credit. The only students who qualify for this credit, which will be assigned as Explorer 099, are students doing unpaid summer internships that require academic credit as a part of their internship program.

Explorer 099 Requirements and Credit Confirmation Requests

Students who are not required to receive academic credit for their internship, but who are still interested in receiving credit, have the option of pursuing an independent study with a faculty member. If the student pursues a summer internship, this credit will be assigned during the following fall semester. Students who wish to pursue this option must find a Davidson faculty member willing to serve as a supervisor for the independent study. The student and faculty member will discuss appropriate assignments for the independent study.