Internship credit is a great 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)

If you register for internship credit, you’re enrolling in an academic course. That means:

  • You’ll complete Bracken’s internship course requirements (assignments + reflection) during the term.
  • Your grade is Pass/Fail.
  • Credit is earned through both hours and learning outcomes.

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 must be approved prior to the start date.
  • Credit must be earned during the same 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, while also meeting your learning outcomes.

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” or purely clerical tasks).
  • Have a real supervisor who can mentor you and evaluate your performance.

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.

6. Paid is the standard

Bracken strongly discourages unpaid internships.

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 first 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 to outline:

  • 3–5 clear tasks/responsibilities
  • 3–5 learning outcomes that connect to your business curriculum

This isn’t busywork. Clear tasks and outcomes:

  • Protect you and your employer
  • Make it easier to get approval
  • Make the experience more valuable and easier to talk about later

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.

Learn when and how to request a pre‑requisite appeal:

Pre‑Req Appeals for Internships‑for‑Credit.

9. Professional standards apply

By registering for internship credit, you agree to:

  • Follow professional conduct and workplace expectations.
  • Notify the Bracken Center if your duties, supervision, or compensation change.
  • Report unsafe, unethical, or inappropriate conditions to the Bracken Center 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 and help you tighten your tasks and learning outcomes.

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.