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For Students

What is SPIN?

If you are a SEBS student working at a job or internship relevant to your major, the Student to Professional Internship Network (SPIN) Program can help you earn academic credits that (in most cases) will help to fulfill your Experiential Learning graduation requirement.

What are the benefits of an internship?

  • Validation of interests and clarification of career goals by having the opportunity to apply classroom theories to real-life, hands-on situations
  • Improvement of academic performance as course work is perceived as more relevant and meaningful
  • Exposure to specialized facilities and equipment not available at the school
  • Increased confidence, maturity, responsibility, and skill in human relations through interpersonal communications during the work experience
  • Greater career satisfaction through sampling professional environments while still in college
  • Accumulation of a semester or more of professional work experience prior to graduation
  • Advantage of earning partial education costs through paid internship positions
  • Internship/Co-op course credits count as unspecified electives, fulfill the experience-based education graduation requirement, and, with faculty approval, may fulfill up to six credits of option elective requirements, depending upon major

How do I get started?

Students looking to earn academic credits for their job/internship are responsible for finding and securing a placement on their own prior to registering for credits. While the SPIN Office does not place students, we are happy to help make sure they have the tools and confidence they need to begin the job search process.

In order to participate in SPIN, students must first satisfy the Student Eligibility Requirements and be able to work at least 160 hours during the semester in which they are registered. In addition, they need to secure a SEBS faculty sponsor from the department of their major. The role of the faculty sponsor is to approve the position as relevant to the student’s major and to mentor and support the student throughout the learning experience. For more information on applying, see How to Apply.

Student Eligibility Requirements

  • Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences students in good academic standing (GPA of at least 2.0) are eligible to apply for SPIN credits following their first year. Freshmen are eligible beginning the summer after their first year.
  • Non-matriculated part-time, readmitted, and transfer students who are in good standing may apply after completing at least 24 credits, 12 of which must be taken at the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences.
  • Transfers from within the University are eligible immediately if they have completed their first year of college and are in good academic standing.

Students must be working at their job or internship during the semester in which they are registering for credits. If a student wishes to obtain academic credits for work done over the summer, he/she must register and pay for the appropriate Summer Session course number. Jobs/internships during the Fall and Spring semesters must run a minimum of 8 weeks. Summer positions must run a minimum of 6 weeks.

  • All students will be required to register for either 11:902:300, 11:902:301, or 11:902:400. Students may earn up to 6 credits via SPIN, either by registering for 11:902:300 (3 credits) and 11:902:301 (3 credits) over two separate semesters, or via 11:902:400 (6 credit coop).
  • Students may reapply for a second semester of credit at their same job or internship only if they are able to establish a new/novel set of learning goals.
  • Grading Requirements