Getting In
Internships & Cooperative Education
Internships and Co-ops are designed to provide MiraCosta students with workplace experience and new or improved skills. These programs offer business, industry, and organizations the talents and energy of students who not only contribute to workforce development but strengthen the link between the educational and business communities.
The program benefits students, faculty, and the academic programs by linking classroom learning to the work world, providing opportunities for mentor relationships, and adding significant work experience to students' resumes.
The Student
- Develops workplace learning objectives with the instructor.
- Meets with the instructor at the internship site twice during the semester. (At the beginning of the internship and at the end of the semester)
- Completes monthly hours reports on Blackboard verifying time worked: a minimum of 60 hours for every 1 unit of credit (non-paid); and 75 hours for every 1 unit of credit (paid).
- Completes required assignments.
- Adheres to the program requirements as outlined in the Syllabus.
- Blackboard Students are required to submit assignments and monthly hours reports via blackboard. Please contact the Student Help Desk or the Career Center if you need assistance.
- Completes the student orientation.
The Employer
- Provides a learning environment and experience for the student.
- Offers training and guidance to the student
- Meets with the student's instructor at the beginning and end of the semester to evaluate the student's progress.
- Verifies that required hours have been completed by the student
The Instructor
- Serves as the teacher of record and faculty mentor for the student enrolled.
- Develops workplace learning objectives with the student.
- Meets with the student twice during the semester.
- Reviews the student's work, evaluates accomplishment of learning objectives, verifies that required hours have been completed, and assigns a grade.
- Completes a faculty mentor orientation.
Course Credit
- Internship credit can be earned in any discipline listed in the college catalog as Internship Studies 292.
- Occupational Work Experience Education - 299 - is available in most disciplines for students whose job IS related to their major or career goal. (e.g.,. BUS 299, HORT 299, DRAF 299).
- General Work Experience Education - WKEX 233 - for students whose job is NOT related to their major.
Internship Studies and Cooperative Work Experience Education is transferrable to the California University System. Credit options vary based on the number of hours the student is interning/working and the availability of courses during any given semester.
| HOURS | = PAID | HOURS | = UNPAID |
| 3 unit | = 225 hours | 3 unit | = 180 hours |
| 2 unit | = 150 hours | 2 unit | = 120 hours |
| 1 unit | = 75 hours | 1 unit | = 60 hours |
| 4 unit | = 300 hours | (Available in Paid Occupational Work Experience Only) | |
Students are not able to enroll in Internship Studies, Occupational Work Experience or General Work Experience concurrently. A maximum of 16 units may be earned during community college attendance. Only 6 units of General Work Experience Education may be earned and it is advised that students do not exceed 6 units of Internship Studies credit during community college attendance.
Enrollment Information
- Students seeking an Internship are required to have a recommendation from a faculty member in the discipline in which they are seeking the internship. Must have been enrolled in the faculty member’s class and must have performed well. Guidelines for enrollment and obtaining faculty recommendations vary by discipline and must go through the Career Center. Please call or stop by for more information.
- Students interested in enrolling in Occupational Work Experience Education must apply to the program by contacting the Career Center or by submitting an Occupational Work Experience Data Form which includes worksite contact information. Once the data form is received, students will be contacted with enrollment information.
- Students working in a job not related to their major may enroll in WKEX on SURF. WKEX offers late start 15 and 8 week classes. Students may enroll at Admissions & Records or on SURF.
Course Content
- Syllabus (PDF) This is a model syllabus and will vary based on your enrollment.
- Course Documents (PDF)
- BlackBoard
Students are required to submit assignments and monthly hours reports via blackboard. Please contact the Student Help Desk or the Career Center if you need assistance with Blackboard.
Benefits
Student Benefits
- Learn or improve employability skills under actual working conditions.
- Gain perspective on career goals.
- Apply classroom theory to work situations.
- Test personal abilities in work environments.
- Develop a better understanding of human relations.
- Refer to work experience education on future job applications.
- Benefit financially while learning.
Employer Benefits
The program helps maintain a flow of trained personnel into the occupational field, reducing the cost of employee turnover by employing people who are on a career path. The student develops learning objectives with his or her supervisor which help to meet company goals, and the student objectives. The employer is provided with the opportunity to communicate business and industry needs to the college. Read our Employer Letter (PDF) to better understand the program and its benefits.
Community College Connections
Internship Studies and Cooperative Work Experience Education strengthens the relationship between the college and the business community. The interaction of student-instructor-supervisor provides valuable, current input concerning labor market conditions and implications for curriculum. Student success and a skilled work force benefit the college and the community at large.
Shared Responsibility
The student is responsible for regular attendance at work and college, and performance, professional presence, the development of transferable skills, and the completion of academic assignments.
The employer's responsibility includes providing a suitable work station, work experiences which have educational value for the student, supervision to help the student progress on the job and accomplish the student's learning objectives, as well as insurance and compensation as established by law.
The college provides organization, coordination, program supervision, and maintenance of student records. A college faculty mentor will conduct a site visit with the student and employer during the semester and with input from the sypervisor, determine the student's grade.
Contact Career Services
The Career Center BLDG. 3700, Oceanside Campus can provide additional information and assistance or call for more information: 760.795.6772.
