Getting Academic Credit for an Internship

The primary relationship in an internship is between the student and the employer. Successful completion of the internship allows the student to include the internship experience on his/her resumé.

As an option, students can earn academic credit at UMD through the course, CS 3996, Internship in Computer Science. One credit can be earned for every 100 hours worked, up to a maximum of three credits. In practice, students sign up for one credit to keep tuition costs down no matter how many hours they work. What matters is not the number of credits but the inclusion of CS 3996 on their transcript.

CS 3996 is a pass/fail course. The grade is based on a final report written by the student and an intern evaluation provided by the employer.

Here is the procedure for earning credit:

  1. After locating an internship and before beginning work, the student must complete the Internship Agreement Form (requires UMD login).

  2. Upon submitting the completed form, the student will receive an override number from the CS Department secretary to register for CS 3996.

  3. Student performs the internship while enrolled in CS 3996. Alternatively, the student can perform the internship in the summer and enroll in CS 3996 the following fall.

  4. By the beginning of finals week of the semester in which CS 3996 is taken, the student submits his/her final report (see menu at left) by emailing it to the CS Department Internship Coordinator.

  5. By the beginning of finals week of the semester in which CS 3996 is taken, the student's supervisor submits his/her intern evaluation (see menu at left) by emailing it to the CS Department Internship Coordinator.
If the report or evaluation is not submitted on time, the student will receive a grade of Incomplete.