Internships & Work-Based Learning (WBL)

Internship and co-op opportunities are an extension of your program of study that combines theory and practice to provide a more comprehensive education. These opportunities are viewed as entry-level means of acquiring practical job training and valuable resume-building experiences. Ultimately, the goal is individual career development with an emphasis on both supervision and self-direction.

You may be eligible to receive a salary, stipend, or tuition assistance from employers in addition to academic credit from the College. Employers may offer full-time employment in permanent job positions afterward, thus easing your entry into the workforce.

You may earn up to 10 academic credits through coursework, which can be used for general elective credit, earned as additive credit, or, with the approval of your academic deans, substituted for required coursework in your program of study.

Current NOVA Students: 

To enroll in a Coordinated Internship course, at minimum^* students must have:

• Declared a major (degree or program of study) at NOVA.
• Earned at least six credits from NOVA.
• Completed 12 semester hours of college credits or the equivalent, including credits transferred to NOVA from other institutions or through Credit for Prior Learning.
• Completed a minimum of two courses for at least six credits directly related to the program of study and internship.
• Earned a cumulative G.P.A. of at least 2.0.
• Acquired the ability to write in either A.P.A. or M.L.A. editorial style through the completion of ENG 111, an equivalent English Composition course, or individual study.
• Earned no more than 10 credits for Cooperative Education and/or Coordinated Internship courses to be applied to the degree.
• Received a satisfactory performance evaluation and/or grades below a “C” for previous Cooperative Education, Coordinated Internship, or On-Site Training courses at NOVA. If the student has previously been unsuccessful in the course attempt, they must meet with the dean or designee for approval.
• Current good academic standing (no Academic Probation or Suspension).
• Met all work eligibility, which is dependent on employer requirements.

^*These are the minimum qualifications to participate in the credit internship program at NOVA; individual programs may have additional requirements that will also need to be met.

Current NOVA International Students:

There are additional requirements for international students to be eligible for a paid Coordinated Internship or Co-Op course, which include:

Current F–1 Visa status

1. Lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis for one full academic year
2. Completed one semester of courses related to their degree at NOVA
3. Receive internship credit that is a required component of their degree
4. Meet with an international advisor for confirmation of eligibility for CPT Work Authorization

Students wishing to take an internship course must start the process at least 8–10 weeks prior to the registration deadline if they do not have an internship site identified. It is recommended that F–1 students begin the process an additional two weeks earlier.

To register for the required Coordinated Internship or Cooperative Education courses, you will either:

• Meet with your faculty advisor if the course is a required component of your degree.
• If it is not required, please submit the completed forms below to the Coordinator of Curriculum Initiatives (kbalbuena@nvcc.edu) at least 5 weeks prior to the registration deadline.

You must submit the following:

• 125–040 Internship Registration Packet: Course Request and Authorization
• 125–038 Internship Registration Packet: Job Description and Site Information Form
• 125–037 Internship Registration Packet: Release of Information
• Your Current Resume
• A Job Description on Company Letterhead

NOVA Students interested in searching for and applying to jobs and internships should log into Handshake.

Once you have created a profile and added your career interests, you can post your resume, explore events, and search for internship opportunities.

If you need assistance in resume development, interviewing skills, or have other career development and planning questions, please schedule an appointment in Handshake with a Career Counselor.

Employers are encouraged to seek independent guidance regarding intern compensation. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and Department of Labor guidelines include a seven-part test to determine whether employers are legally required to pay interns. For detailed information, employers should review Fact Sheet #71: Internship Programs Under the FLSA. Offering paid internships not only ensures compliance but also expands the candidate pool and promotes equitable access to opportunities.

Employers with internship opportunities can submit detailed position information by joining NOVA’s network on Handshake.

For questions about offering an internship program for students, employers can contact:

Rachel Krempasky
Internship and Work-Based Learning Coordinator, Business Engagement & Career Services
Phone: 703.293.8158
Email: rkrempasky@nvcc.edu

1. Are Coordinated Internships or Cooperative Education courses available at NOVA?

Yes! Coordinated Internships–190/290 and Cooperative Education–197/297 are general usage courses offered in most Academic Departments at NOVA; these courses are listed at the beginning of the course descriptions in the College Catalog. However, you may not see the exact course you would like to take listed in the schedule of classes. If that is the case, please contact the Coordinator for Curriculum Initiatives (kbalbuena@nvcc.edu) for information on how to register.

2. Do I have to earn credit at NOVA to do an internship?

Most employers require a student who is engaged in work-based experiential learning to be affiliated with an institution of higher education such as NOVA due to state and federal laws or preferences of the employer. NOVA only provides you supervision and credit for work-based learning experiences through registration in the Cooperative Education or Coordinated Internship courses. You may participate in a structured internship offered by an employer that is not part of your academic program. These independent internships are arranged directly with the employer and you do not earn credit toward your degree or credential. Non-academic or for-credit externships provide valuable work and networking experiences.

3. When should I start the registration process for Coordinated Internship courses?

It is recommended that you begin searching for an internship a minimum of 10–12 weeks prior to the start of the semester. You should begin the registration process at least five weeks before beginning the Coordinated Internship course.

4. How do I register for Coordinated Internship courses?

Review the eligibility requirements on this page. If eligible, you should contact your department to determine if there are additional requirements for an internship in your program. Academic Pathway deans will review the application and determine if your internship meets the qualifications to receive credit.

Once approved you will be given permission to enroll in the appropriate course and should register directly.

5. How do I find work-based experiential learning opportunities or internships?

You must find your own Coordinated Internship opportunities, but Career Services is here to help. The first source for finding internships is Handshake, NOVA’s career management system. It contains internship opportunities with organizations that are paid and with government and non-profit agencies that are both paid and unpaid. You can filter based on internships as well as on your program of study or career interests. You are also encouraged to reach out to faculty in your department who may have relationships with employers in the community or have established opportunities for work-based experiential learning offered in the department.

6. How do I know if Cooperative Education or Coordinated Internship courses count toward the completion of degrees or programs of study at NOVA?

Select degrees and programs of study at NOVA have Cooperative Education or Coordinated Internship courses embedded in the curriculum for the degree or program of study. Some degrees and programs of study do not have these courses embedded in the curriculum; however, there may be opportunities for students to complete Cooperative Education or Coordinated Internship courses within the degree or program of study as “general electives” or “departmental electives.” Many students also register for Coordinated Internship courses as additive credit to a degree or program of study if the course cannot be applied to graduation requirements. You are encouraged to speak to your advisor in addition to reviewing your degree plan to verify graduation requirements.

All NOVA degree requirements can be found in our catalog.

7. Will my financial aid cover my Coordinated Internship course?

If your program of study has a required internship course in the curriculum or you have open space in the curriculum where the internship credit can be used, it may be covered by financial aid. However, many of NOVA’s transfer programs do not have general electives where an internship course can be placed. In these cases, the internship credit may not be covered by financial aid and may not count towards the enrollment credits for financial aid status.

8. How do I know if Cooperative Education or Coordinated Internship courses will transfer?

Internship courses provide students with the opportunity to gain experience in their desired career field or the opportunity to explore a field of interest. Internships may not count towards your degree requirements, and therefore, some colleges will not accept these credits in transfer. It is recommended that you check with the institution where you plan to transfer to find out their transfer policy on internship credits.

9. Can I request a specific instructor for Cooperative Education or Coordinated Internship courses?

The discipline where your program is housed will contact faculty to determine interest in teaching an internship course. However, if you have or know of a faculty member interested in teaching the internship course, you can provide the contact information to the dean who will follow up with the faculty member.

10. How many credits can I take each semester for Coordinated Internship courses and what determines the number of credits per course?

You may take 1–5 credits per semester for a Coordinated Internship course and may cumulatively earn up to a maximum of 10 credits total for Cooperative Education and/or Coordinated Internship courses. Most internship courses are offered at 3 credits. However, prior to registering, you can determine the number of credits based on the number of hours you are able to work at the co-op/internship site for that semester. You must register and pay tuition for the corresponding amount of college academic credits for the Cooperative Education or Coordinated Internship course that corresponds to the number of total work hours for the co-op or internship as determined by the corresponding chart:

1. What do I do when an employer contacts me about an internship in my discipline?

Please feel free to have the discussion to ensure that this is a good fit for NOVA students and the employer. The employer should be completing an internship posting on Handshake, which is NOVA’s career services management system that connects students and employers. This ensures equity in access to the internship to all students. If you or the employer would like to speak to someone directly in the Business Engagement Center’s Employer Career Services, please contact Rachel Krempasky, Internship & WBL Coordinator, at rkrempasky@nvcc.edu.

2. How do I share credit or non-credit internship opportunities with my students or advisees?

Please contact a member of Employer Career Services (novacareerservices@nvcc.edu) who may be able to present to your class about current opportunities for part-time, full-time, and internship positions. Please also refer students to Handshake to search for current opportunities.

Students should be encouraged to participate in an internship to gain experience and demonstrate skills on their resumes. Students who are not receiving credit for their internships secure the internship and establish the work parameters directly with the employer.

If you know of openings, please make sure that you invite those employers to list their information in Handshake. If you would like someone to reach out to a specific organization about the possibility of an internship, please reach out to NOVA Career Services at NOVACareerServices@nvcc.edu.

3. Are internships paid?

From an equity lens, we want our students to receive pay for the work that they do. We know that not all industries have the funds to do that. All for-profit internships listed on NOVA’s Handshake network must be paid opportunities. Many non-profits and government internship employers also see the value of paying interns; however, they are eligible to post non-paid internships in Handshake . Be aware of this when applying for internships.

4. Will financial aid cover Coordinated Internship courses?

If the student’s program of study has a required internship course in the curriculum or they have open space in the curriculum where the internship credit can be used, it may be covered by financial aid. However, many of NOVA’s transfer programs do not have general electives where an internship course can be placed. In these cases, the internship credit may not be covered by financial aid and may not count towards the enrollment credits for financial aid status.

5. How do I know if a student is eligible for a credit-internship?

NOVA has established the following criteria minimum* criteria for students to be eligible for an internship:

• Declared a major (degree or program of study) at NOVA.
• Earned at least six credits from NOVA.
• Completed 12 semester hours of college credits or the equivalent, including credits transferred to NOVA from other institutions or through Credit for Prior Learning.
• Completed a minimum of two courses for at least six credits directly related to the program of study and internship.
• Earned a cumulative G.P.A. of at least 2.0.
• Acquired the ability to write in either A.P.A. or M.L.A. editorial style through the completion of ENG 111, an equivalent English Composition course, or individual study.
• Earned no more 10 credits for Cooperative Education and/or Coordinated Internship courses to be applied to the degree.
• A satisfactory performance evaluation and/or grades below a “C” for previous Cooperative Education, Coordinated Internship, or On-Site Training courses at NOVA. If student has previously been unsuccessful in the course attempt, they must meet with dean or designee for approval.
• Current good academic standing (no Academic Probation or Suspension).
• F1 Visa Students Only: Obtained C.P.T. approval from the Coordinator of the International Students Office. Met all work eligibility, which is dependent on employer requirements.

*These are the minimum qualifications to participate in the credit internship program at NOVA; individual programs may have additional requirements that will also need to be met.

• Not all NOVA students have a status that permits them to work in the United States legally; it is important that we work for equity for all our students; a different type of experiential learning may provide these students with an opportunity to provide resume-building experience.
• Financial aid will only be given to students whose internship class is part of their degree
• F1 international students may only receive permission for an internship when the internship is part of the degree program

6. How does my discipline create internship opportunities for credit when the course is already listed in our program of study?

Please begin by working through the Discipline Committee/Pathway Councils. The class will need to go through Curriculum Committee as any new class/program change does.

Meet with Business Engagement and Career Services to see if we currently have employers who are posting opportunities in Handshake for internships in your discipline. The BECS team can also assist with networking to find appropriate opportunities for your students.

Student registration for internships must be done early. Please encourage students to begin the internship search process the semester before and the registration for the internship class as soon as registration opens, but no later than six weeks prior to the start of the semester.

Please note the following about internships:

• Financial aid will only be given to students whose internship class is part of their degree or can be used to fulfill technical or general electives
• F1 international students may only receive permission for an internship when the internship is part of the degree program
• Not all NOVA students have a status that permits them to work in the United States legally; it is important that we work for equity for all our students; a different type of experiential learning may provide these students with an opportunity to provide resume-building experience.
• NOVA has established the following criteria for students to be eligible for an internship for credit: o List criteria here

7. What if a student wants to do an independent study internship and earn credit, but does not have an internship yet?

The student should be encouraged to first work with Career Counselors in Career Services and review Handshake to locate an internship.

Once the internship is secured, the student will need to complete a Registration Packet (available online at https://www.nvcc.edu/co-op/) which includes Course Request and Authorization, Internship Job Description, Internship Release of Information Forms, current resume, and job description. These should be submitted to either the dean or the Coordinator for Curriculum Initiatives at least six weeks before the start of the session for which the student would like to receive credit.

The Dean or Dean’s appointee will ensure the internship is eligible for college credit, assign a faculty supervisor, and contact the student about registration for the internship course.

8. What if a student already has an internship offer and would like credit, but the student's program does not require an internship?

In many cases, the student will still be eligible to take the internship course. The student must meet the eligibility requirements, and financial aid will likely not be available for the course unless it can be counted as part of the curriculum; this may require a course substitution form.

The student will need to complete a Registration Packet (available online at https://www.nvcc.edu/co-op/) which includes Course Request and Authorization, Internship Organization Sponsorship, Internship Release of Information Forms and Job Description. These should be submitted to either the discipline internship contact or the Coordinator for Curriculum Initiatives at least six weeks before the start of the session for which the student would like to receive credit.

The Dean or Dean’s appointee will ensure the internship is eligible for college credit, assign a faculty supervisor, and contact the student about registration for the internship course.

9. Can a student get credit for an internship that was already completed?

No. If the student has significant work experience, please refer student to take SDV 298: PLACE.

10. What is the teaching course load for being an internship supervisor?

The internship supervisor receives 0.3 credits for teaching one student in a 3-credit internship.

11. As the Faculty Supervisor to an internship, what are my responsibilities?

Your number one priority is to ensure learning occurs in the internship experience. You will be responsible for:

• Ensuring that the internship provides enough experiential learning that the student should receive college credit for the work done.
• Course syllabus development and grading. This should include at least:
  • weekly journal from student
  • mid-term and final performance evaluations conducted by the on-site supervisor
  • final project that contains a reflection from the student about the experience
• Conducting one site visit (in person or virtually) with the student's on-site supervisor. During this meeting, you should learn about what the student should be expecting in terms of job duties and training.
• Meeting with the student at least three times throughout the semester, either in a cohort or individually. This should happen:
  • Once in the first week of the semester to go over the syllabus
  • Once before mid-term to help the student problem-solve any issues that have arisen
  • Once at the end of the semester

• Must be a low-income/Pell-eligible student and/or at least 18 years of age or older
• Must be currently enrolled at NOVA or an alumni within 1 year of completing your certificate/degree
• Must be currently engaged in an Internship or Work-Based Learning opportunity, or have completed one within the last 90 days.  
  • Please note this grant prioritizes support for Internships, but applications for other types of WBL opportunities such as apprenticeships and externships will be considered as well.
• Must have made purchases or taken on expenses that would have otherwise prevented you from participating in your Internship/Work-Based Learning opportunity (pre-verification available for anticipated expenses) 

1. Fill out the pre-verification form to discover if you are eligible for reimbursement (you can do this before or after beginning your Internship/WBL opportunity).
2. If approved for pre-verification, fill out the application to request reimbursement for specific expenses.
3. Meet with the ACCESS team to finalize the reimbursement process. (virtual and in-person options available)
4. Receive reimbursement via check sent by mail and share feedback with ACCESS Team.