Printed on: 01/09/2025. Please go to policy.umn.edu for the most current version of the document.
University of Minnesota  Administrative Policy

Academic Credit for Undergraduate Courses Associated with Internship and Co-op Experiences: Twin Cities

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Policy Statement

The University of Minnesota Twin Cities awards academic credit for academic coursework associated with internship, co-op, and related professional experiences.

  1. Up to 3 academic credits may be awarded for an academic course associated with an internship or co-op experience. 
  2. Academic credit is commensurate with the content and instructional time in the academic course, as articulated in Administrative Policy: Expected Time per Course Credit. Time completed at the experience can account for up to two-thirds of a student’s out-of-class work time. 
  3. The academic expectations of an internship or co-op course must be documented in a course syllabus and reinforced in a contract or agreement. 
  4. The academic course must have an instructor who is not the internship or co-op supervisor. 
  5. Academic credit for an internship course should be earned concurrently or in the subsequent term, immediately following the internship.

Reason for Policy

Uniformity of expectations for academic credit for courses associated with internships and co-op experiences is in the best interest of students, faculty and staff. Consistency allows for compliance with federal financial aid regulations and accreditation requirements.

Contacts

Subject Contact Phone Email
Primary Contact Jessica Kuecker Grotjohn 612-624-1328 [email protected]
Responsible Individuals
Responsible Officer Policy Owner Primary Contact
  • Executive Vice President and Provost
  • Vice Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Education
  • Jessica Kuecker Grotjohn
    Assistant Director for Undergraduate Education

Definitions

Internship
An internship experience is a short-term position that provides students with the opportunity to gain career-related professional experiences while pursuing an undergraduate degree.
Co-op
Co-ops are a structured way to combine academic knowledge with practical work experience and are often completed over two terms. A Co-op is an experience that is the financial aid equivalent of being a full-time student. It is an immersive experience that precludes a student taking concurrent courses during the academic term. Co-ops are specifically named in Department of Education regulations and therefore have unique financial aid eligibility.

Responsibilities

Academic Departments
Follow the established policy and ensure that academic deliverables and credit hours align with relevant policies.
College
In consultation with the Office of Undergraduate Education, determine whether an experience is more appropriately considered an internship or co-op.
Students
Students are responsible for communicating their internship or co-op experience plans with their academic advisor or program.

Related Information

History

Effective:
July 2024 - New Policy: The purpose of the administrative policy Student Services Fee is to outline the non-governance level elements of the Student Services Fee that are not addressed within the Tuition and Fees Board of Regents policy. The administrative policy provides rationale for the purpose of the fee, how and to whom it is assessed, identifies unallowable uses, and defines a set of common procedures that all campus will utilize when administering the fee.