Internships, Co-ops and Fieldwork are invaluable, both educationally and professionally. You secure a position in a field you are exploring or plan to enter, where you make meaningful connections between your coursework and the world of work. This is hands-on experience!
To earn Engaged Learning points, internship, Co-ops and fieldwork must meet the following criteria:
- further utilize the skills you are learning in your major/minor coursework;
- provide you with frequent and meaningful feedback from a supervisor or mentor on-site;
- be in a field that you are exploring or intend to pursue after graduation;
- enhance your further studies, personal life, and career potential.
Internships
An internship places you in a professional setting where you will gain relevant experience in a particular field while networking and making connections that will benefit you in your future career.
Internships may be completed as a 491 course to earn both academic credits and engaged learning points.
Many programs require that an internship be completed as part of the course of study. If a 491 course is required, you must speak with your academic advisor and the internship coordinator for your department, complete the necessary forms, and secure an internship to complete in a future semester. If you are not required to complete a 491 but have elective credits to use, discuss registering for a 491 with your academic advisor/internship coordinator. Norm Brodsky College of Business students should refer to the webpage, Applying for a For-Credit Internship or Co-op, prior to meeting with your academic advisor or internship coordinator.
As with all courses, a 491 will earn Engaged Learning points based upon the number of academic credits you take, up to a maximum of 3 points: a one-credit internship will earn 1 EL point; 3 credits will earn 3 points; 4+ credits will earn 3 points. After you complete the internship and your grade is submitted to the Registrar, the points you earn will be posted to DegreeWorks.
Internships may also be completed as an experience that will earn engaged learning points but will not earn academic credit
Even if your program of study does not require you to complete a 491 course you can complete an internship experience. For more information about Internships see Hands-On Learning on the Career Development and Success website. Before registering for a non-credit internship, it is strongly recommended that you discuss it with your academic advisor or internship coordinator to be certain that it meets the requirements of your program.
After you complete the not-for-credit internship experience you must:
- complete an Engaged Learning Experience Form, and
- submit a written reflection on Canvas - click here for instructions.
After your reflection is reviewed and approved, the points you earn will be reported by the Engaged Learning Coordinator to the Registrar, and they will appear in DegreeWorks.
Co-ops (Cooperative Education)
The Co-op experience blends classroom learning and practical, in-depth workforce experience. Students have a supervisor/mentor on site and also meet regularly with a faculty sponsor to discuss their progress in the position. Securing a Co-op may lead to obtaining employment at the host company after graduation.
Co-ops may be completed as a 399 course to earn both academic credits and engaged learning points
A number of Rider’s programs offer a Co-op course, designated as a 399, as part of the curriculum. Completing a 399 course will earn both academic credits and engaged learning points. You must discuss the Co-op with your faculty sponsor, complete the necessary forms, and secure a Co-op position to be completed in a future semester.
Co-op courses earn engaged learning points based upon the number of academic credits completed (see Internships above.) A 399 course typically will earn between 3 – 6 academic credits but will in no case earn more than 3 engaged learning points. After you complete the Co-op and your grade is submitted to the Registrar, the points you earn will be posted to DegreeWorks.
Co-ops may also be completed as an experience that will earn engaged learning points but will not earn academic credit
Even if your program of study does not offer a 399 course you may still be able to complete a Co-op experience. You must discuss this with your academic advisor or internship supervisor before you register for a not-for-credit Co-op to be certain that it meets the requirements of your academic program. For more information about co-ops and to obtain a Co-op position see Hands-On Learning on the Career Development and Success website.
After you complete the not-for-credit Co-op experience you must:
- complete an Engaged Learning Experience Form, and
- submit a written reflection on Canvas - click here for instructions.
After your reflection is reviewed and approved, the points you earn will be reported by the Engaged Learning Coordinator to the Registrar, and they will appear in DegreeWorks.
Each college/school may have a process that you are required to follow to obtain a Co-op position. Click the link for your specific college below or discuss a Co-op with your faculty sponsor or Career Coach before registering.
- Norm Brodsky College of Business
- Arts and Sciences, Communication, Journalism and Media Co-ops
- Westminster Choir College CoOPERAtive
Fieldwork and Student Teaching
Students in the College of Education and Human Services will work with the Director of Field Placement to secure a student-teaching position. Student-teaching will earn academic credit as course EDU 465 and will also earn engaged learning points.
In other colleges when fieldwork is required as part of your program you will be placed into a position where you will gain real-life experience in that field. Discuss fieldwork with your academic advisor for complete information.
Fieldwork opportunities exist in certain programs of study, such as:
- Social Work Minor (CAS)
- Chemistry B.S. or B.A. (CAS)
- Leadership Development (open to all majors)
- Behavioral Neuroscience B.S. (CAS)
Be sure that the internship or co-op you obtain will earn Engaged Learning points
At Rider, the Office of Career Development and Success is equipped to help you find an internship or Co-op that will earn engaged learning points. Whether you are interested in a 491 internship or an internship experience, or a 399 Co-op or a Co-op experience, you can use the tools Career Development and Success provides to search through the available positions. For more information on how to find a qualifying internship or Co-op see Search Jobs and the tools listed in Helpful Links and Resources.
The coursework and experiences discussed above are part of Rider University’s Enriched Career Experience opportunity and The Cranberry Investment. We believe in your ability to succeed after graduation and are prepared to help you secure an internship or Co-op position, provide professional career coaching, and more. Visit Career Development and Success to learn about the many ways they can help you enter the workforce successfully.