Professional Studies Internship Program
The Professional Studies Internship Program (PSIP) is a significant component of the vision, mission, and goals established both for Colorado Christian University and the College of Adult and Graduate Studies. The program is designed to produce students and alumni who can have, or are having, an immediate impact on the business community or on ministry and non-profit organizations here and abroad. More specifically, the program empowers selected students to apply and develop business-related or education-related skills in an actual workplace setting.
To earn three credits for a Professional Studies Internship, students are required to spend a minimum of 135 hours working in the approved sponsoring company or organization. Each student must also complete an internship report, a term paper that provides a comprehensive description of the internship experience that relates the lessons learned during the internship to prior course-related information.
Typically, undergraduate students will participate in this program in the third or fourth year of their academic program. Depending on the candidate’s major and concentration, the PSIP coordinator will determine if there are any specific prerequisites for this course. It is beneficial to complete BUS 101, Introduction to Business, and other business-related courses prior to starting the program.
For students who are unemployed, the internship program often leads to employment opportunities. For students who are currently employed, PSIP offers several varieties of internship programs including intradepartmental internships, interdepartmental internships, and externships.
The intern’s supervisor in the pre-approved company or organization must agree to train and mentor the student in the duties, tasks, and responsibilities specified in the job description which must be approved before the beginning the internship. The supervisor must also agree to assist in providing or referring the intern to the appropriate people within the organization that can provide and discuss the information needed to complete the internship report.
The College of Adult and Graduate Studies seeks to identify internship opportunities that pay a reasonable wage. From time to time, however, unpaid internships may be accepted if all parties may benefit from the outcome.
