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Internship Requirement

As part of the Business Administration degree program, all students are required to complete an approved internship. Accounting students following the 2025 or later catalog are also required to complete an approved internship as part of their degree requirements. While this requirement must be completed before your final semester, we encourage you to complete your internship by your junior year to gain valuable experience and prepare for your career. To receive credit, your internship must meet the minimum criteria outlined below. You'll also find a list of resources to help you search for and secure an approved internship.

Students have two options to fulfill the internship requirement on their Degree Audit:

Option 1: Complete and submit paperwork for no course credit.

Before Starting Internship

  1. Review the requirements for an approved internship.

  2. Search for and secure an internship that meets the requirements.

  3. Fill out the Internship Approval Paperwork sections A-C, including an advisor's approval signature.

After Completing Internship

  1. Have section D signed as proof of completion.

  2. Update your ePortfolio, adding a section that describes your internship experience and reflects upon what you've learned.

    • If you do not have an ePortfolio, see our ePortfolio page for examples and how-to videos to create one.

  3. Submit the Internship Paperwork Upload Form with the following materials:

    • Your student information
    • The name of the organization where you completed your internship
    • The Internship Approval Paperwork complete with sections A-D signed
    • The link to your ePortfolio updated with your internship reflection

Notes: 

  • The Business Department will update your Degree Audit to reflect fulfillment of the internship requirement once your paperwork has been processed.
  • If anything is missing from your paperwork or E-Portfolio, your submission will be denied and returned to you to make the appropriate fixes.

Option 2: Take BUSN 460 and earn one Business Elective while completing the internship.

Before Starting Internship

  1. Review the requirements for an approved internship.

  2. Search for and secure an internship that meets the requirements.

  3. Review the course notes below.

  4. Submit the BUSN 460 Application.

  5. If approved, register for BUSN 460 and complete the course for 3 Business elective credits and internship requirement completion.


Notes:

  • This option is not advised for Accounting, Analytics & AI, and Finance / Financial Planning students.
  • You must be actively working in an approved internship while taking BUSN 460.
  • BUSN 460 is an asynchronous course.
  • The course work consists of time sheet submissions and an end-of-internship reflection.
  • Once you've completed the course, the internship requirement will be fulfilled on your Degree Audit.

Internship Criteria

  • The experience has a defined beginning and end, and a job description with desired qualifications.
  • There are clearly defined learning objectives/goals related to the professional goals of the student’s academic coursework.
  • There is supervision by a professional with expertise and educational and/or professional background in the field of the experience.
  • There is routine feedback by the experienced supervisor.
  • There are resources, equipment, and facilities provided by the host employer that support learning objectives/goals.
  • The student must complete a minimum of six weeks and 90-135 total hours as part of the internship.
  • Finally, the internship must be approved by a faculty academic advisor.
  • Students attending Biola on a F1 Visa who want to complete an internship within the U.S. must additionally apply for Curricular Practical Training (CPT).

We encourage students to pursue paid internships, as these are more likely to provide a better experience and enhance career prospects. Students are allowed to complete unpaid internships, but employers must comply with the Fair Labor Standards Act.

If you are unsure whether an internship will meet the requirements for approval, find time to connect with your academic advisor to discuss the opportunity.

Resources