CSUSB, College of Business and Public Administration

FAQs - for Students and Hosts

How many weeks and hours are involved in a regular internship?

There are 10 weeks involved in a regular internship (similar to the length of a school quarter). To earn 4 units of credit for the required 575 internship course, the College of Business and Public Administration requires students to work 150 to 200 hours over a 10-week period, which breaks down to 15 to 20 hours per week. More work hours are acceptable provided the student is able and willing to contribute the additional hours during the internship assignment. Total hours worked should be included on student's timesheet. Note: At times some organizations will need students to work 40 hours during summer internships.

As a student, when am I eligible to participate in an internship?
Both undergraduate & graduate students may participate, as long as you meet the college's 575 internship course requirements. We encourage you to participate in an internship as soon as you are eligible. Junior year is a good time to start planning to do an internship. Avoid doing an internship during your last quarter before you graduate. MBA & MPA students, remember, you must first check with the MBA or MPA Office to obtain eligibility approval from the Program Director to participate in an internship. Once approved, you can consider the internship college course requirements, and start looking for an internship project.

As a student, what do I need to know to participate in the internship program?

Be ready to roll up your sleeves - start planning, organizing, use your research and preparation skills to obtain and execute a successful internship. It will be well worth it!

First, see if you're eligible to participate in an internship. Then have a resume and cover letter ready to send by email in response to an internship opportunity. Know where to search for internships, and how to prepare for an interview. Go to the FAQ SECTION to obtain answers and assistance on other questions, and so forth.
You must also meet CBPA's internship requirements to participate.
You must contact your Dept's Faculty Intern Coordinator, and the CBPA Internship Office by completing & submitting the two start-up forms under Intern Guidelines" when you've obtained an internship. Submit forms along with a brief project description to your Faculty Coordinator with request to be enrolled in a CBPA 575 course. Once enrolled, complete 575 course forms per the instructions.
You must attend a 1-hour internship orientation - scheduled every quarter.
Finally, you you must make brief presentations in your classrooms about internships. Go to Supplemental to 575 Internship Course for this new requirement.

What are CBPA's INTERNSHIP REQUIREMENT for a student?
(1) Undergraduate interns must have a minimum GPA of 2.5, and Graduate interns must have a minimum 3.0 GPA. (2) You should have completed 8-12 units in your area of concentration. (3) If you accept an offer to do an internship, you must register for a 575 business or public administration internship course to go alongside your internship (see instructions for this under the Student Intern Guidelines section). The 575 internship course offers 4 units of elective credit (CR) if you work 150-200 hours per quarter (10 weeks) with a business/organization. 575 course forms are provided on our internship web site. Three course forms are due at the start, and three course forms are due at the end, along with a 10-page report.

Who are the Faculty Internship Coordinators?
Assistance before and during the internship is available from a Faculty Internship Coordinator representing their respective CBPA academic department. Go to 575 Faculty Coordinators to view listing for the regular academic year. NOTE: Coordinators change during the Summer quarter. Another list will be posted at that time.

As a business/organization, what do I need to know to recruit an intern?

Know the college's internship requirements for students.
Know when may be the best time to post an internship. Our internships regularly run for 10 weeks (quarter system).
Make a draft of your internship needs that will allow intern to contribute effectively to your goals, and apply what they've learned in their area of concentration. You can transfer this information to a sample flyer we have available under the Business/Organ. Guidelines section.
Go to our Business/Organ. Guidelines section to complete the two forms needed to start the recruitment process.
When you've made your decision after interviewing your candidates, let the CBPA Internship Office know who you have selected.
When the intern starts, provide them an orientation, as well as an overview of their agreed upon schedule and their assignments.
Conduct a brief verbal review mid-way through the internship period to let the intern know how they're doing, and again as the internship comes to a close.

When are internships available?
CSU, San Bernardino operates on a four quarter system—winter, spring, summer and fall. Quarter classes run for 10 weeks. Likewise, internships normally run for 10 weeks too (150-200 total hrs). Companies or governments that submit internship positions 3 to 4 weeks prior to the start of a quarter will be assured the best pool of potential students.

Quarterly Schedule To Post Internships

FALL        - by late AUG.   (qtr begins 3RD wk of Sep.)

WINTER   - by late NOV. (qtr begins 1ST wk of Jan.)

SPRING    - by late FEB.    (qtr begins 1ST wk of Apr.)

SUMMER - by early MAY (qtr begins 4TH wk of Jun.)

What types of internships are available under CBPA?
You may find internships in all business & government areas including: Accounting, Finance, Human Resources Management, Public Administration, Supply Chain Management, Information Systems (GIS, Database, Networking, Web design, Asset Protection), Entrepreneurship, General Management, International Business, Marketing, and Real Estate.

Where can I get help to prepare a resume, cover letter, or for an interview?
You can find helpful information about these items and more at the Career Development Office web site. This office also offers “mock interviews” to help you prepare for the real interviews. Check with them for other career planning workshops offered throughout the academic year. In addition, the CBPA Internship Office has a handout on Interview Tips. You can also check out the Collegegrad.com website for additional assistance, including appropriate questions to ask during an interview.

How can I search for an internship?
(1) Check with your coordinator to discuss career paths and internship possibilities Go to 575 Faculty Coordinators to identify your department contact. (2) Go to INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES for a listing of opportunities through the CBPA Internship Office. (3) Go to Career Development Center's web page for other opportunities. (4) Finally, consider your own resources as another option. Reply to an internship opportunity by emailing a copy of your resume and cover letter to the contact person indicated on the announcement. They'll then contact you to follow-up with a possible interview.

What are the seven internship courses are available under CBPA?
CBPA internship courses are: ACCT 575, FIN 575, INFO 575, MGMT 575, MKTG 575, PA 575, and SCM 575.

Can I request to be enrolled in a 575 course before I obtain an internship?
NO. You must first have an internship project before you request to be enrolled in a CBPA 575 internship course. The reason for this is to inform your Faculty Internship Coordinator about the internship place, who your supervisor will be, and what type of internship you'll be doing in the upcoming quarter. If appropriate, the Faculty Internship Coordinator will then approve your request and send an e-mail to the Department Assistant to have you enrolled in this course.

What is the last day I can enroll in a 575 course within that given quarter?
Every quarter there is a deadline date to be enrolled in all of your classes. So, be sure to check the class schedule for that quarter to see what the "Census Date" is so you don't miss out being enrolled in a 575 course.

Must the Insurance and Hold Harmless section under the Goals & Learning Objectives Agreement Form be completed?
Yes, the employer host must indicate whatever insurances their business/organization carries. This is done by simply checking or initializing the appropriate ones. They do not have to provide copies of certificate of insurances. If the employer hosts does not carry the stated insurance amounts, they have the option to select the "OR" section. So, one section or the other must be completed before turning the form in. This is required to be in compliance with Risk Management Policy.

Can I do more than one internship?
Yes, you can participate in a second internship under your concentration. The requirements will be the same. You are required to enroll once again in a 575 internship course to go alongside the second internship assignment.

Are all internships paid?
Employers decide whether an internship opportunity will be paid or not. According to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), it is important to remember that any student not paid must (1) be part of a training program, and (2) not completing work that would be provided by a regular employee. Interns can be paid an hourly wage or a stipend. Hourly wages normally vary from $8-$15 per hour.

Once enrolled in a 575 course, how soon can I start work with a business/organization?
Once you’re enrolled, contact your internship site supervisor to negotiate a start time. If you begin work earlier than the start date of the quarter you're enrolled for, you'll still be responsible for turning your course paperwork in during the requested timeframe for that quarter, not earlier as it may get misplaced. However, do submit the two online forms (Step 1 & 2 under "Intern Guidelines") to the CBPA Internship Office as soon as possible.

Remember, you'll still be required to complete 150-200 hours within a ten-week period, unless you’ve both agreed to a longer internship period.