Accounting Internship for Credit

Satisfies 3 Credits

Internships provide practical training and experience for students. Working within a firm or organization allows students to acquire and apply knowledge through direct experience in a field related to their academic program.

For accounting, there is one type of internship for credit opportunity:

• Professional Internships: Must be a full-time and paid position that is intended to lead to full-time employment. Requires a minimum of 400 hours (typically minimum of 10-weeks). Credits earned through this accounting internship can be applied towards business electives.

Eligibility

Students who have faculty approval and have completed the course prerequisites are eligible to enroll in an internship. Course prerequisites are stated below and are enforced.

Professional Internships

• Accounting – Bus Adm 400: senior standing; admission to the Accounting major; completion of Bus Adm 303(P); Bus Adm 405(P); Bus Adm 409(P); written consent of faculty supervisor (instructor).

Students must attend the 75-minute Accounting Internship Orientation led by the Accounting Area in the Fall semester prior to their internship (e-mail Dan Neuwirth at neuwirtd@uwm.edu for details).

Policies

1. Credit for the internship must be approved prior to the start of the internship.
2. Students completing the internship must have an approved faculty supervisor and an on-site supervisor during the internship.
   1. The designated faculty supervisor (listed on the back of this form) in conjunction with the Career Services representative will determine if a position qualifies for internship credit.
3. The duties or responsibilities called for by the internship:
   1. require the student to have a significant knowledge base. Please refer to the internship prerequisites listed under the Eligibility Section above;
   2. must present new areas of the discipline that are uniquely and significantly different from that experienced in previous positions of employment;
   3. must cover minimum number of hours (see above);
   4. directly relate to the major area;
   5. include learned skills that are transferable to other settings.
4. All internships are completed for 3 credits and are graded Credit/No Credit.
5. Credit for an internship will be granted only when the internship is completed. Students must be registered for and complete the internship during the semester in which they receive academic credit.
6. You may complete only one internship course per major area.
7. Students cannot complete an internship and a Bus Adm 499 – Research in Industry with the same company.

How to Find Internships

• Search for open positions on Handshake, LinkedIn, Indeed, or by attending the career fair. If new to Handshake, you must activate your account first.
• The Career Services Center in Lubar N203 can help find positions. They can also provide feedback on your resume, cover letter, and interviewing skills. Schedule an appointment via Handshake or reach out to them by email (careerserv@uwm.edu) or by phone (414-229-5445)

How to Register

1. Check if you are eligible by using the Internship for Credit Eligibility Survey.
2. Create an Internship Learning Plan (see below). This will be entered into Handshake.
3. Share the learning plan with your site supervisor from the internship, so they can agree on supporting you with those goals.
4. Meet with a designated faculty supervisor (see below) to review the internship position and the learning plan. Ask about their expectations for the method of assessment and internship closing activity.
5. Submit your Internship for Credit application through Handshake – Please note, responses cannot be saved and completed later. Gather the required information in advance of filling out the application.
   • Watch this detailed video on how to submit the application as an “experience” in Handshake
   • In Handshake, click on “Career Center”
   • Click on “Experiences,”
   • Then click on “Submit an Experience”
   • Select the experience template that relates to your major or internship.
   • Fill out the required information.
   • After submitting the experience, attach a document for the position description if needed.
6. Tell your site supervisor to expect an e-mail from Handshake requesting their approval of the internship. They may need to check their junk folder. A Handshake account is not required.
7. Monitor the approval progress in Handshake:
   • Career services will review the submission for approval.
   • The designated faculty member will then review for approval.
   • If academic prerequisites are met, your academic advisor will approve and give you permission in PAWS to enroll in the course.
   • After your advisor notifies you about the permission, you must enroll in the class on your end.
   • The approval process may take up to 2-3 weeks to complete, so start this process early to complete on time.