Eligible students are encouraged to seek internship employment at entry-level positions with agribusiness firms, government agencies, and other approved businesses. The student and the prospective cooperator design a program that provides practical work experience focused on the specific goals and career objectives of the student. The Internship Program Committee evaluates these proposed programs and determines whether a program is acceptable. An approved program would be one in which the intern's activities are directly related to his or her degree objective. Upon successful completion of all internship activities, the committee awards the intern academic credit.

Details of the Internship Program are provided in the following sections. The policies outlined are designed to enhance the quality of the Internship Program and provide a basic framework within which the intern and the cooperator can work together effectively.

1. Provide the student with off-campus work experiences that complement on-campus classroom education.
2. Allow the student to obtain first-hand knowledge of career opportunities.
3. Provide an avenue for cooperators to help promote the educational development of prospective employees.
4. Help the student in course selection that provides appropriate professional training after returning to campus.
5. Improve departmental instruction, research, and extension programs by exposing students and faculty members to "real-world" situations faced by businesses in the agribusiness sector.

1. Eligibility for participation in the Internship Program will be based on the student's overall qualifications. Criteria evaluated will include grades, references, on- and off-campus activities, previous work experience, and a personal interview conducted by the Internship Program Committee. Undergraduate students must have an overall grade point average of at least 2.50 to participate in the program. Graduate students must have an overall grade point average of at least 3.00 to participate in the program.
2. Undergraduate students must have completed the following courses:
   AEC 2713 Introduction to Agricultural Economics
   AEC 3213 International Trade in Agriculture
   AEC 3133 Introductory Agribusiness Management
   AEC 3413 Principles of Agricultural Marketing
   ACC 2023 Principles of Managerial Accounting
   CO 1003 Fundamentals of Public Speaking
   Upon request, some course requirements may be waived by the Internship Program Committee. Specific courses in addition to the courses listed above may be required by the employer. Graduate students must have an approved program of study.
3. Undergraduate students must have attained a Junior standing in completion of the Agricultural Economics or Agribusiness degree and have at least one semester remaining to complete a degree following participation in the Internship Program. Graduate students must have completed 12 credit hours toward an M.S., M.A.B.M., or Ph.D. degree and have at least one semester remaining to compete a degree following participation in the Internship Program.

1. A maximum of six credit hours will be permitted for completion of a student's Internship Program(s). The amount of credit allowed for each program will be determined by the Internship Program Committee prior to the beginning of the internship. Typically, one hour of credit is authorized for each two weeks of work (based on a 40-hour work week). The credit hours may be completed in one internship program (i.e., one summer) or they may be allocated to two internship programs (i.e., two summers).
2. Academic credit for the internship will only be given upon approval of the Internship Program Committee or the department head. The grade will be assigned on a Pass-Fail basis.

1. Encourage potential employers to provide internships and encourage students to participate in the program.
2. Provide pertinent information (such as application deadlines and interview schedules) about the Internship Program to students and faculty.
3. Develop all forms that are required to conduct the operations of the Internship Program, including the Student's Application Form, Intern's Final Evaluation Form, and Cooperator's Final Evaluation Form.
4. Evaluate all student applications to the program on a timely basis. Approve/disapprove students for the program. If an application is disapproved, provide reasons in writing to the student.
5. Evaluate all proposed programs developed by students in conjunction with cooperators on a timely basis. Approve/disapprove programs. If approved, state hours of academic credit to be awarded upon successful completion of the program. If disapproved, provide reasons in writing to the student and the cooperator.
6. When feasible, identify a faculty member to visit with the intern and cooperator during the internship period.
7. Assign the final grade, based on the cooperator's final evaluation and the intern's biweekly reports, final written report, and oral presentation.
8. Keep detailed records of all activities related to the Internship Program.

1. Determine his or her eligibility for the Internship Program with the help of the Internship Program Committee Chair.
2. Apply for an internship by completing the Student's Application Form, having it approved by the student's academic adviser, and submitting it to the Internship Program Committee Chair.
3. Obtain employment with an approved business or agency. The student may request help from the Internship Program Committee Chair in obtaining interviews with potential employers.
4. Discuss thoroughly the responsibilities of the intern and the objectives of the internship activities with the Internship Program Committee Chair and the cooperator.
5. Meet with the cooperator to develop the terms of the internship agreement and an outline of the program. Submit this proposed program to the Internship Program Committee Chair.
6. Register for AEC 4530 (AEC 6530 for graduate students), taking the appropriate number of credit hours during the semester of the internship period.
7. Arrange for personal transportation, housing and board, and insurance during the internship period.
8. Report directly to the cooperator for instructions, carry out policies and duties outlined by supervisors, and meet all scheduled commitments and arrangements made in connection with assignments.
9. Notify the cooperator and the Internship Program Committee Chair in advance if events occur that make it impossible to report for work at the agreed upon time. Also, in case of prolonged illness, accident, or emergency, notify both the cooperator and the Internship Program Committee Chair.
10. Discuss with the Internship Program Committee Chair and/or the cooperator any problems that cannot be resolved without their help.
11. Establish regular conferences with the cooperator to review the goals and purposes set for the work experience.
12. Prepare and submit a written report every two weeks during the internship program to the Internship Program Committee Chair. These biweekly reports should follow guidelines prepared by the Internship Program Committee. The completed reports must bear the cooperator's signature of approval.
13. Prepare and submit a final written report covering the total educational experience during the internship period to the Internship Program Committee Chair. This final report should follow guidelines prepared by the Internship Program Committee.
14. Prepare and present an oral report of the internship experience to other interested students and faculty members. This oral presentation should follow guidelines prepared by the Internship Program Committee.
15. Complete and submit the Intern's Final Evaluation Form to the Internship Program Committee Chair.
16. Present an oral report to the Internship Program Committee Chair for a conference after the internship period has been completed.

1. Work with on-campus personnel to stimulate improvement of on- and off-campus educational programs.
2. Provide interns with a learning experience through a work and counseling association.
3. Interview, select, and hire eligible students for employment during the internship period.
4. Discuss the responsibilities and objectives of the internship program with the student and the Internship Program Committee Chair.
5. Meet with the intern to develop the terms of the internship agreement and an outline of the program.
6. Encourage the intern to serve as a productive, thinking employee during the internship period.
7. Review with the intern the goals and purposes set for the work experience and furnish appropriate counseling and guidance during the intern's work experience.
8. Meet with the intern and a faculty member during the internship period to review aspects of the internship program.
9. Review the intern's biweekly reports and either approve by signing or provide reasons for disapproval. Mail these reports to the Internship Program Committee Chair.
10. Complete the Cooperator's Final Evaluation Form and mail it to the Internship Program Committee Chair.