Academic Internship Program

The following procedure will be followed in selecting internship participants.

1. The College representative will contact students who have submitted a complete Academic Internship Program application packet and who meet the eligibility requirements via SUSCC email to schedule an in-house interview.
    
2. After the in-house interview, students approved to participate in the Academic Internship Program must sign the Intern Memorandum of Agreement to initiate the Company match process.
    
3. As internship opportunities are received, a College representative will submit the approved intern's application packet for the Company to review.
    
4. Individual companies will make interview selections, interview, make employment selections, and provide job offers contingent upon individual company hiring practices, which may include drug screening and background check results.
    
5. Companies and students will inform the College representative of internship offers and acceptance or rejection of offers.

Interns may receive course credit for the following programs of study, if approved by instructor.

• Business Management & Entrepreneurship
• Business Management & Entrepreneurship – Accounting
• Information Systems
• Office Management & Support Technology
• Office Management & Support Technology – Medical Office Specialist

Credit is granted for the learning that takes place during the work experience, not only for the hours logged on the job.

Course grades are issued by the instructor after having received input from the supervisor. The final grade for the course will be based upon:

• Completion of all required paperwork by the designated due dates
• Employer evaluation of the student
• On-site visitation by the instructor or other College representative
• Completion of the Measurable Learning Outcomes by the student
• Completion of the required hours for the number of credits earned

A student may earn college credit while working for his or her current employer. This is permitted only in limited situations where there are assurances that the student’s experience will complement the classroom experience, and that the internship experience will be different from those the student/employee has already experienced. The College will follow all procedures for establishing an existing job as an internship experience so that the position meets all requirements for an effective internship learning experience. In this instance, the College must verify that:

• The work activity and the level of learning is relative to the requirements of the curriculum; and
• Measurable Learning Outcomes for currently employed students must be written to increase the student’s skill level from their current job description.

Attendance Policy
The attendance policy is based on a one-semester (15-16 weeks) internship assignment. Interns with more than three absences may be terminated from the internship assignment and from the Academic Internship Program. The employer has every right to release themselves from the student work experience and terminate the arrangement if the Intern accumulates more than three absences during the term. Additionally, it is ground for release of a student from the internship experience if a student is repetitively tardy in arriving at the job site. Interns are subject to the policies and regulations as stated in the employer’s employee handbook.

Withdrawal Policy
Any Intern withdrawing from an internship assignment or the College should first visit with the College representative and then the Company supervisor.

Nondiscrimination Statement
It is the official policy of the Alabama Community College System and entities under its control, including Southern Union State Community College, that no person shall be discriminated against on the basis of any impermissible criterion or characteristic, including, without limitation, race, color, national origin, religion, marital status, disability, sex, age, or any other protected class as defined by federal and state law. (ACCS Policies 601.02 and 800.00)

Equal Employment Opportunity
Southern Union State Community College is an equal opportunity employer. It is imperative that employers participating in the Academic Internship Program adhere to and embrace this culture of non-discrimination and employment opportunity.

Disability Statement
Any individual who qualifies for reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act and/or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (1973) should notify their supervisor and the College representative immediately.

Harassment
As an institution under the Alabama Community College System Board of Trustees, Southern Union State Community College (SUSCC) is committed to providing both employment and educational environments free of harassment/physical assault or discrimination related to an individual’s race, color, national origin, religion, marital status, disability, gender, age, or other protected class as defined by federal and state law. Such harassment/physical assault is a violation of SUSCC and the Alabama Community College System policies. Any practice or behavior that constitutes harassment or discrimination shall not be tolerated on campus or at any off-campus site, or in any division or department by any employee, student, agent, or non-employee on the institution’s property and while engaged in any institutionally sponsored activities.

Academic Integrity
Interns who violate College rules on scholastic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary penalties, including the possibility of dismissal from the Academic Internship Program. For more information on academic integrity and student discipline, consult the Southern Union State Community College Student Handbook and Catalog, accessible at www.suscc.edu.

Measurable Learning Outcomes (MLOs) will be developed by the student, with assistance from the College representative, the employer, and instructor, relevant to the student’s program of study. MLOs are statements that clearly and concisely describe specific knowledge, skills, or abilities to be attained during the term.