Department of Finance and Accounting

Department of Finance and Accounting

College of Business and Technology

Northeastern State University

Internship Guidelines

Coordinator Vicki Trammell, CPA

Office Address NSU Tahlequah Campus

700 N. Grand

Tahlequah, OK 74464

Phone 918-456-5511, Ext. 2902

Fax 918-458-2337

Email trammell@nsuok.edu

Academic Credit ACCT 4953 and FIN 4953 are three-hour courses requiring a minimum of 160 documented hours of work. ACCT 4956 and FIN 4956 are six-hour courses requiring a minimum of 320 documented hours of work. All internships must be a minimum of eight weeks in length.

Employment The internship should be a new position for the intern. If the internship involves pre-existing employment, the employer must provide new learning experiences and an expanded job description.

In order to receive class credit, the intern must be paid at least the minimum prevailing wage for the type of work performed. Unpaid internships require prior agreement among the intern, the employer, the NSU intern Coordinator, and the department chair.

Eligibility Requirements

For Finance or Accounting Majors:

1. must have completed 75 credit hours before enrolling;

2. must have completed a minimum of 6 credit hours in the major, not including the business core;

3. must have a grade point average of 2.50;

4. must have a declared major in either accounting or finance; and

5. cannot count more than six hours of experiential courses (i.e., internships) toward graduation requirements.

For majors other than Finance and Accounting:

1. may not use internship credit for a minor; and

2. may use internship as a free elective if completed 75 credit hours, completed 6 hours in the major (not counting the business core), and have a grade point average of 2.50.

Grading All grades will be pass (P) or fail (F). All grades will be based on: quality of required reports, timely submission of required reports, evaluations by employer supervisor, and communication with NSU intern Coordinator.

Enrollment Students must obtain permission from the intern coordinator before enrolling. Students must complete the Internship Application Form and obtain required signatures before enrolling.

Intern Responsibilities

Obtain employment approved by the NSU intern coordinator.

Complete Employer Agreement Form and return to the NSU intern Coordinator.

Submit required reports when due.

Recognize that a student intern is a representative of Northeastern State University. Conduct and behavior should be professional at all times. In the event that a student, while on the job is involved in practices that are inappropriate for a student of NSU, the university will take the necessary disciplinary action.

If unable to complete the internship because of justifiable circumstances, the university rules concerning withdrawals will apply. Contact the intern coordinator before withdrawing from the internship.

Employer Responsibilities

Recognize that meaningful professional experience is the primary goal of the internship program.

Pay at least the prevailing minimum wage for the type of work being performed by the intern (unless arrangements for an unpaid internship have been made).

Place the intern in an appropriate employment situation that provides an opportunity to apply knowledge and skills acquired during university studies.

Allow at least one on-site visit by the NSU intern coordinator.

Recognize that the employer plays a key role in evaluating the intern’s performance and determining the intern’s grade.

Agree to provide a mid-term and final evaluation of the intern’s performance.

University Responsibilities

Provide guidance as the intern applies for internship positions (e.g., resume assistance, potential employer contacts, etc.).

Provide an intern coordinator to respond to intern’s needs.

Develop ongoing relationships with employers to enhance internship opportunities.

Intern Coordinator Responsibilities

Make a personal visit to the employment location, provided the location is within a reasonable distance of the NSU-Tahlequah Campus.