Since Fall 2022, the MGA Center for Career & Leadership Development (CCLD) has been working to better track student internships using the “Experiences” section of Handshake. Whether an internship is for academic credit or not, tracking these experiences allows CCLD to connect future students with opportunities and better understand where our students are gaining real-world experience.
Previously, any student who submitted an internship through the Experiences portal was eligible to receive an internship graduation cord. However, beginning Summer 2025, the CCLD is making some changes. Students completing an academic credit internship who report it through Experiences will still be eligible for an internship graduation cord. Students completing a non-credit internship, however, will now be required to enroll in their no-credit course, Career Development Internship Experience (CDIE 0999), in order to receive a cord. CDIE 0999 is part of CCLD's Knights@Work Program and provides a way for students completing non-credit internships to have their experience noted on their transcript. The no-credit course is designed to help students build career-ready skills, explore career interests, and prepare for future job searches, capstones, and internships.
Each non-credit internship submission will also be reviewed to ensure it meets the definition of an internship as outlined by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). Students may view the NACE internship criteria here. Additionally, CCLD has also updated their website with new information about Knights@Work and how students can enroll.
Here’s how faculty and staff can help! If faculty/staff know of a student who is about to start an internship that will not be for credit, please encourage them to contact the CCLD to get enrolled in the Knights@Work Program. For faculty who also coordinate academic credit internships, CCLD encourages you to have your students report their internships through Experiences. Alternatively, faculty/staff are welcome to share the relevant information with CCLD, and they will input the internship details on your behalf. CCLD staff is happy to work with you in whatever way is most convenient for your workflow.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Dr. Heather McIntosh at heather.mcintosh@mga.edu.
