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The Academic Internship MOU is a legal agreement between the University and the host organization. It outlines the responsibilities for the Intern Site and Supervisor, as well as the University and the Student Intern.  MOUs are not student specific, they cover all ÈÕº«ÎÞÂë students placed at the Internship Site for a period of three years.

Additionally, ÈÕº«ÎÞÂë requires ALL Internship Sites to maintain policies of insurance (or funded self-insurance). Standard insurance requirements for US based placements are:

• ALL Sites: Commercial General Liability - $1,000,000 per occurrence
• If professional licensure is required: Professional Liability (malpractice) - $1,000,000 each claim and $1,000,000 annual aggregate
• If students will drive or ride in Internship Site vehicles: Automobile Liability - as required by state law

MOUs and certificate of insurance are executed through Ironclad. This and other important information for intern sites can be found on the Hosting Interns page.  

 Hosting Interns Page (w/ MOU Link)

• Academic units identify intern programs, course numbers, and supervising faculty for their offerings
• Internship courses should be designated as such (INTN) in the Schedule of Courses
• Intern course proposals should be evaluated by the curriculum committees (like all other courses)
• Units should promote intern courses to students
• Academic units may require students and supervisors to compete mid-semester and end-of-internship evaluation forms

Individual faculty members are responsible for...

• developing a syllabus that aligns with university and federal intern policies and industry best practices – the Career Center is available for consultation on this
• tracking intern sites and report this information to the Career Center by the end of the Add/Drop week () each semester
• ensuring every student has a sound (download template) clearly outlining the internship's learning goals.
  • clear and specific Learning Goals are key to academic learning as outlined in the .
  • Learning Contracts should be shared with/approved by site supervisors
• advising students on relevant safety policies, for example:
  • sharing Field Safety Policy with any student working outside an office environment. 
  • Sharing Domestic Travel Policy with any student working outside VT.

Students need to...

• Communicate with their advisor, or departmental intern coordinator, to begin the process of enrolling for internship credits
• Seek an intern placement or seek assistance from faculty or the Career Center to find/apply for internships
• Report their intern site to their faculty instructor/sponsor
• Work with supervising faculty member and site supervisor to complete a Learning Contract with clear learning goals and objectives, planned activities, and required assignments
• Complete intern assignments & academic assignments to the best of their ability
• Engage with site supervisor and colleagues upholding Our Common Ground values
• Adhere to all school/college intern expectations
• Communicate any concerns with their faculty member

The Career Center is available to support all internship courses.  We can...

• cultivate employer partnerships,
• advise on federal internship policies,
• provide complimentary career development materials and/or workshops
• consultation on best practices for facilitating reflections, running assessments, or defining projects
• engage with employers failing to uphold their responsibilities as outlined in the MOU.

Additionally, Intern instructors and coordinators may join a monthly Internship Coordinator Network meeting to share intern resources and ask questions.  Hybrid meetings happen the first Tues of the month @ 9am in the Career Center and on Teams.