Internship credit is a way to turn real work into real momentum toward your degree and career. Before you begin the paperwork, here’s what you need to know and agree to up front.

Internship Appointment

1. Internship credit is a course (Pass/Fail) — and it’s billed like any other course

If you register for internship credit, you’re enrolling in an academic course, not getting free credits.

  • You’ll complete Bracken’s internship course requirements (assignments + reflection) during the term.

  • Your grade is Pass/Fail.

  • The course is billed like any other MSU class — you are responsible for tuition and fees.

  • Credit is earned through both:

    • documented hours at your internship site, and

    • achievement of your internship learning outcomes.

If you’re unsure how internship credits will apply to your specific degree plan, talk with your academic advisor before you register.

2. The internship must be approved before it starts (no retroactive credit)

You cannot do the work first and “turn it into credit” later.

Your internship‑for‑credit must be approved and added to your schedule before your start date.

The Internship‑for‑Credit Learning Agreement & Acknowledgement (DocuSign) must be fully signed by you, your site supervisor, and your Jabs instructor of record.

All required hours and learning outcomes must be completed during the academic term in which you are registered.

3. Credit is tied to hours and learning outcomes

Montana State uses a credit‑hour standard: 1 credit = 45 hours of student effort.

Under Bracken’s typical model:

  • 3 credits = 135 hours
  • 6 credits = 270 hours

You don’t need to work the exact same number of hours every week, but you do need a realistic plan to complete the total hours during the term and meet your agreed‑upon learning outcomes.

Most internships for credit are taken for 3 credits per term. The x-498 internship course may be repeated across multiple terms (up to 12 total credits), but a single internship experience will only count as one upper‑division business elective in your degree plan.

4. The internship must be real, supervised, and aligned with your major

To qualify for credit, the internship must:

  • Relate to your Jabs major/concentration (e.g., Accounting, Finance, Management, Marketing, Hospitality).
  • Include substantive work that builds business skills (not just “helping out,” errands, or purely clerical tasks).
  • Have a real site supervisor who can mentor you, give feedback, and evaluate your performance.
  • Be structured as a work‑integrated learning experience, not just cheap labor.

In some cases, students may receive credit while working on their own business or venture, as long as a qualified supervisor (not an immediate family member) is in place to oversee the work and learning outcomes.

5. You’ll need three roles in place

Every credit‑bearing internship requires all three of these roles:

  • Student – completes the hours and academic requirements.
  • Faculty internship instructor – oversees learning outcomes and assigns the grade (Bracken Center or faculty advisor).
  • Site supervisor (employer) – supervises you on the job and evaluates your performance.

The Bracken Center helps coordinate this “support triangle” so you’re not navigating it alone.

6. Paid is the standard

Bracken and Jabs strongly prefer paid internships.

If you are doing productive work that benefits the organization, pay should be the default.

Unpaid internships are rare, must follow U.S. Department of Labor guidance, and are reviewed carefully.

If you’re considering an unpaid opportunity:

  • Talk with the Bracken Center first before you move forward.

International opportunities can be different (some are “pay‑to‑participate” depending on the country and program structure). If the internship is international or involves a third‑party provider, talk with the Bracken Center so we can review structure and supervision.

7. Your tasks and learning outcomes must be clear

As part of the approval process, you’ll work with your supervisor and instructor to outline:

  • 3–5 clear tasks / responsibilities (what you’ll actually do)
  • 3–5 specific learning outcomes (what you’ll be able to do or explain by the end)
  • Each outcome should be observable, tied to your Jabs business curriculum and option (e.g., accounting, finance, marketing, management, hospitality), and connected to career‑ready competencies (communication, teamwork, problem‑solving, etc.).

This isn’t busywork. Clear tasks and outcomes:

  • Protect you and your employer
  • Make it easier and faster to get approval
  • Make the experience more valuable and easier to talk about on your resume, LinkedIn, and in interviews

8. You must meet eligibility and prerequisite requirements

Internship‑for‑credit courses vary by major and have specific prerequisites (for example: ACTG, BMGT, BMKT, and other upper‑division requirements).

At a minimum, you must be currently enrolled as a Jabs student, confirm with your academic advisor how internship credits fit into your degree plan, and meet the course‑specific prerequisites for your internship‑for‑credit class:

ACTG-298

PREREQUISITE: ACTG 223 and consent of instructor.

ACTG-498

PREREQUISITE: ACTG 327 or other upper-level accounting course relevant to the specific internship.

ACTG-598

PREREQUISITE: Graduate standing and consent of instructor.

BFIN-498

PREREQUISITE: None.

BMGT-498

PREREQUISITE: BMGT 335, Junior standing, consent of instructor.

BMKT-498

PREREQUISITE: BMKT 325 and consent of instructor.

HTR-298

PREREQUISITE: HTR 107, HTR 201.

HTR-498

PREREQUISITE: Senior standing in major.

Always check the current course catalog and your DegreeWorks or meet with your advisor for the most accurate, up‑to‑date requirements.

If you’re unsure which internship‑for‑credit course applies to you, or you’ve found a strong internship but are missing a pre‑req, the Bracken Center can help you identify the correct path.

9. Professional standards apply

By registering for internship credit, you agree to:

  • Follow professional conduct and workplace expectations at your internship site.
  • Represent Montana State University and the Jake Jabs College of Business & Entrepreneurship professionally.
  • Notify the Bracken Center and/or your instructor of record if your duties, supervision, schedule, or compensation change in a significant way.
  • Report unsafe, unethical, discriminatory, or inappropriate conditions to the Bracken Center or appropriate MSU office immediately.

Ready to move forward?

Step 1

Book a Bracken Center appointment (recommended).

We’ll do a quick “sniff test” to confirm your internship is a strong fit for credit, help you tighten your tasks and learning outcomes, and clarify how internship credit will apply to your degree.

Internship Appointment

Step 2

Start the Internship Approval Form.

You’ll need:

  • Your site supervisor’s name and email
  • Basic internship details (organization, role, start/end dates, hours)
  • A first draft of your tasks and learning outcomes
Start the Internship Approval Form

 

If you have questions at any point, contact the Bracken Center at brackencenter@montana.edu or book an appointment.