Students are encouraged to gain career-related work experience prior to graduation. Through internships, cooperative education, and summer or part-time employment, the Springer Center for Internships guides students in identifying opportunities for professional development which integrate classroom theory with supervised work experience.

Internships and cooperative education courses are offered to students in all five colleges of the University. Students are guided through reflective learning assignments that complement the work experiences. Students have a choice of several options to follow. The part-time option allows students to attend classes while working part-time with a local employer. The full-time option allows students to work full-time during an academic semester or summer. The full-time alternating option is based upon alternating periods of full-time study and full-time work. All the above options correspond with the academic calendar.

Workshops and one-on-one advising sessions are offered to assist students in the intern or co-op or process. Employers review resumes and/or conduct interviews to make hiring decisions. Placement is not guaranteed. Student-developed jobs may be approved if they meet the work-learning criteria. A work assignment or credit will not be approved retroactively.

While on a registered full-time internship/co-op assignment, students are considered to have full-time student status, making normal progress toward a degree in a recognized University program, and are entitled to all student privileges at the University. Also, while on a full-time internship/co-op assignment, students may register for additional hours of classroom study upon departmental approval.

In order to participate in an internship or cooperative education work assignment, students must be enrolled at Bradley University. They also must either register for a minimum of three hours of non-cooperative education/internship credit or be on a full-time cooperative education or internship assignment.

For information about the program, contact the Smith Career Center at (309) 677-2510.