In order to meet Heavener’s internship requirement, learning experiences need to meet the seven requirements listed above.

Potential learning experiences are:

• Traditional internships
• Externships
• Ongoing volunteer work
• International Internships sponsored by the Heavener School of Business
• Apprenticeships/job shadowing

Other learning experiences are accepted on a case-by-case basis. Please reach out to course administrator to see if your experience meets the internship site requirements.

Purpose

1. The University has a responsibility to train students who require practical experience in various disciplines to complete their professional preparation and development.
2. The Site, in support and enhancement of the educational programs of the University, is willing and qualified to provide a practical setting at its facilities for University students to participate in activities designed to enhance their educational experience, commonly referenced as a clinical field placement (“Internship”).
3. The primary benefit of the Internship will be to the student intern.
4. The educational programs of the University will be enhanced through its relationship with the Site and its cooperative efforts.
5. The Site will benefit through the skills and efforts of University student interns during the internship period.

Requirements

1. Internship Period. Internship periods are usually the duration of one semester with dates corresponding with the University’s official calendar. The Site shall, in consultation with the student intern, agree in writing regarding the number of hours per week of internship participation and the start date and end date of the Internship period.
2. Student Participation and Assignment. The University shall determine, in its sole discretion, which of its enrolled students are eligible to participate in the Internship. The University shall assign eligible students for internship at the Site. The student is required to provide forty (40) hours of Internship participation at the Site each week during the Internship period. (This requirement may vary from program to program) The student assignment schedule shall be set by the Site, in consultation with the student and may be modified by mutual agreement of the Site, the student and the University.
3. Right to Refuse. The Site shall have the right to refuse to accept any student(s) assigned to the Site by notifying the University, in writing, within thirty (30) days of said assignment.
4. Educational Plan. The Site shall allow the student to participate in various activities during the Internship, including but not limited to those activities that will further the educational goals of the student. The objective of the Internship is for the student to have practical exposure to the course work completed at the University.
5. Educational Program. The University shall plan and administer the educational program for its students and be responsible for the enrollment of its students in University courses, including the Internship.
6. Student Records. The University shall maintain all student educational records and reports relating to the University’s educational programs completed by students during the Internship.
7. Student Supervision and Evaluation. The Site shall ensure that its qualified employees supervise the students in the performance of their duties during the Internship and shall evaluate the student(s) performance monthly, using a standard evaluation form provided by the University. The University shall provide a person to serve as its Internship Coordinator to oversee its education program and coordinate program activities with the Site.
8. Student Use of Site Facility. The Site shall permit the students to use its facilities and amenities, including but not limited to office/workspace, cafeteria, restrooms and parking on the same basis utilized by its employees.
9. Site Background Checks. The University does not perform background checks on students. If required by the Site, the Site shall provide the University with a security background information form to be completed by the student(s) and provide a process for fingerprinting and criminal records background check to be performed by the Site or another entity at its discretion and expense. The Site, in its sole discretion, shall determine whether a University student has satisfactorily cleared the security screening.
10. Notification of Site Requirements. The Site shall notify the University, in writing, of any Site-specific Internship requirements and/or rules prior to student placement. Upon notification by the Site, the University shall notify the student(s) of any Site-specific Internship requirement(s) as a condition of their participation, including but not limited to background checks, student participation agreements, professional liability insurance, and vaccinations. The University shall notify the student(s) of any Site-specific rules and/or policies provided by the Site to the University, and the student’s obligation to follow said rules and/or policies in order to successfully complete the Internship.
11. Student Conduct. University students are not employees or agents of the University. Accordingly, the University is not responsible for the conduct of its students during the Internship.
    1. Code of Conduct. During the Internship, students are required to follow the University’s Student Conduct Code, a University regulation relating to student conduct and academic honesty. If a student’s conduct rises to the level of violation of the University’s Student Conduct Code, the Site agrees to promptly notify the University in writing.
    2. Removal. The University shall honor any request by the Site to remove a student from the Internship whose conduct or performance is not, in the Site’s opinion, professionally acceptable.
12. Safety and Security Information. The Site will provide the student with information regarding any known risk or safety issues surrounding the student’s Internship environment, including the parking area and path of travel from the parking area to the Site facility. In addition, the Site will provide the student with applicable safety protocols and training necessary for their safe and successful participation in the Internship.
13. Termination of Internship. This Internship may be terminated at any time by either Party for any lawful reason upon written notice to the other party of its desire to terminate.
14. Liability. Each Party assumes any and all risks of personal injury and property damage attributable to the negligent acts or omissions of their respective officers, employees, servants, and agents thereof while acting within the scope of their employment. The University and the Site further agree that nothing contained herein shall be construed or interpreted as (1) denying to either Party any remedy or defense available to such Party under the laws of the State of Florida; (2) the consent of the University or its officers, employees, servants, agents and agencies to be sued; and (3) a waiver of sovereign immunity of the University beyond the limited waiver provided in section 768.28, Florida Statutes.
15. Insurance.
    1. University. The University, as a public body corporate, participates in the State of Florida’s Risk Management Trust Fund for purposes of general liability, workers’ compensation, and employer’s liability insurance coverage, with said coverage being applicable to University’s officers, employees, servants, and agents while acting within the scope of their employment or agency. Students are not officers, employees, servants or agents of the University and are not covered under the University’s insurance.
    2. Site. The Site represents it has obtained and shall keep in force during the Term of this Agreement, at the Site’s expense, commercial general liability insurance insuring against bodily injury and property damage liability, with a combined single limit of not less than $1,000,000.00 per injury or occurrence with respect to any insured liability.
16. Professional Liability Insurance. The University does not provide professional liability insurance for students. If required by the Site, the University will notify the student that the Site requires the student to purchase professional liability insurance.
17. Non-Discrimination Policy. The Parties agree that in fulfilling their obligations under this Internship, no person shall be subjected to discrimination based on age, race, color, disability, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, national origin, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, political opinions or affiliations, genetic information or veteran status.
18. Compliance with Law. The Parties agree to comply with all applicable state and federal laws and regulations, including but not limited to antidiscrimination laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act and its amendments. The Site further agrees that it shall be solely responsible for ensuring the Internship, its program, facilities and equipment are accessible to students with disabilities.
19. Public Records. The Letter of Agreement, Requirements and any other documents made or received by the University in connection with this Internship are public records, which must be made available to the public upon request in accordance with Chapter 119, Florida Statutes, unless otherwise deemed confidential and/or exempt from disclosure.
20. Independent Contractor. Nothing contained in the Letter of Agreement or these Requirements shall be construed as creating a joint venture, partnership, or agency relationship between the Parties. Neither shall be bound by the acts or conduct of the other.

GEB 4941 is graded pass/ fail (S/U); students will not earn a traditional letter grade (i.e., A, B C. etc..) or earn any grade points contributing towards their UF GPA. Please see UF grading policies for more information on the S/U grading.

To earn a Satisfactory (S) grade, students must:

• Submit all assignments.
• Earn a passing grade (C or higher) on course assignments.
• Work the minimum number of internship hours to earn the corresponding number of credit hours.

Registering for GEB 4941 is easy, simply follow the steps provided in the tabs below. The actual GEB 4941 application is available in the ‘Application’ section.

• Secure an Internship
• Obtain an Employer Verification Letter – Letter must confirm certain internship details
• Select Your GEB 4941 Term – You must be enrolled in GEB 4941 while concurrently completing your internship.
• Identify Number of GEB 4941 Enrollment Credit(s) – Students are only required to complete 1 credit hour to satisfy degree requirements. See Earning Academic Credit above for more information.
• Reminders – Avoid delays; Review GEB 4941 reminders for registration success
• Apply – Submit your application for GEB 4941 class registration

Congratulations! After accepting an internship offer, Heavener must confirm important details through an employer verification letter. Please note a verification letter is not the same as an offer letter. A verification letter verifies key internship components which may not be contained inside your offer letter. If your offer letter does not contain all the info below, you must obtain a separate verification letter from your employer (on their company letterhead) confirming the following details:

1. Dates of Internship Employment. Identify both a start date and an end date.
2. Work Hours Expected. Your employer must confirm you are working the minimum amount of hours corresponding to the academic credit you requested. Request your employer state how many hours per week you’ll work on your internship. Preferably they will also include the minimum hours they project you to work over the entire internship.
   Example: If you request two (2) GEB 4941 credits, your employer must explicitly write in the letter you will work a minimum of 260 hours on-the-job by working X amount of hours per week OR 260 hours minimum over the course of the internship.
3. Anticipated Responsibilities. What work responsibilities does your employer anticipate you will have? Provide a general overview of key responsibilities.
4. Supervisor/HR Representative Contact Info. Who is your primary contact and what is their contact information (email, phone number, office address)?

Request Company Letterhead. The information requested above should be on company letterhead.

Critical course dates are outlined above on the main GEB 4941 webpage. Your GEB 4941 registration term is determined solely by your internship start date. Your internship END date does not matter.

How many GEB 4941 credits should I apply for?
All students should apply for one (1) GEB 4941 credit as this is the exact requirement for graduation. There is no need or requirement to register for >1 credit. Why would someone take >1 credit? In general, if you can answer yes to any of the following questions, consider applying for additional credits. Remember, you only need one, however.

• Summer Hour Requirement. Do I have remaining summer hours to complete? Review your degree audit. If you have >2 summer hours remaining it might be in your best interest to take (2) or more GEB 4941 credits to complete any remaining summer hours.
• Graduation Credits Needed. Are you graduating this term or next term? If so, you may need additional credits to reach the 120 credit minimum to graduate. Review your degree audit to verify.
• Scholarships. Do I have scholarships requiring me to take courses over the summer or reach a certain amount of credits over the calendar year? If so, check with scholarship administrators regarding taking additional GEB 4941 credits.
• International Students. Are you an international student? If so, verify how many credits you should take with the University of Florida International Center.

If you are uncertain how many credits you need, meet with a Heavener advisor in 333 Heavener Hall or email a Heavener advisor.

Avoid GEB 4941 enrollment delays and late registration fees. Ensure each of the action items below are fully thought through and completed before continuing:

• Internship or Part-Time Job? Are you completing a legitimate internship or actually just working a part-time job? Working as a lifeguard, store clerk, secretary, or attendant is work experience, but chances are this type of work won’t maximize your potential to obtain a full-time employment. The bottom line is your internship is a three-month job interview. If you aren’t (1) working in an industry/particular company of interest or (2) obtaining skills directly transferable to post-college plans then you also accept the consequences and challenges that come with not obtaining an internship directly relevant to your career. In short, this internship is not meant to be an academic exercise or another ‘thing’ for graduation; it’s meant to help you get a real job in an area of your interest; so you should take it seriously.
• Clear all holds. Check and clear your holds now! The GEB 4941 manager cannot register you until all your holds are cleared. Failing to clear holds (especially summer holds) is the #1 cause of GEB 4941 registration delays. If you receive a late fee because of failing to clear a hold, it is not the GEB 4941 administrators fault. Open ONE.UF, check and clear your holds now.
• GEB 4941 Course Repeats: Students may only earn credit for one semester of GEB 4941. If you have extenuating circumstances that you feel should qualify you to enroll more than once, email the course administrator to discuss your options.
• GEB 4941 Credits Requested. Are you applying for the correct amount of credits? Only one (1) credit of GEB 4941 is required. Remember, generally speaking business majors should only apply for >1 credit to (a) complete summer hours (if your internship is over the summer), (b) acquire 120 credit hours to graduate if graduating next term, or (c) require additional hours to meet international or scholarship requirements. Email a Heavener advisor if you are unsure.
• Internship Dates Vs. GEB 4941 Academic Dates. Is your last day as an intern after the last day of UF classes? If so, you must submit GEB 4941 coursework before your last day as an intern, ensuring all assignments are submitted before 11:59pm on the last day of regular UF classes. Review all assignments and make plans soon with your supervisor.
• Tuition, Fees, and Grades. GEB 4941 is an academic course; regular UF tuition and fees are applied. Letter grades (i.e., ‘A’ ‘B’ etc..) are not assigned in this course; it is a pass/fail (S/U) course. If your assignments are sloppy, lack content, are submitted late, and/or do not reflect collegiate scholarship you could earn a ‘U’ grade and must retake the course before you graduate. In short, GEB 4941 is a real course, so apply yourself.
• Retail Related Internships & Retail Minor. Heavener strongly encourages any student who either (a) has a retail-related internship or (b) plans to pursue the Retail Minor to sign up for MAR 4945 Retail Internship course instead of GEB 4941 Internship credit. MAR 4945 can replace GEB 4941 and is considered an equal course substitute for the GEB 4941 internship requirement. MAR 4945 is a better course for retail oriented students as all assignments are customized to the retailing industry. Additionally, MAR 4945 is required for the Retail Minor (i.e, GEB 4941 will not count as a substitute for the MAR 4945 Retail Internship requirement). For questions on MAR 4945, please email Margaret Jones directly.
• International Internships. Students wishing to complete an international internship should contact the Heavener International Programs Office and complete an academic advising form. The International Programs office also works with a host of providers who can help students get placed with an international company and work onsite or remotely.

Before completing the GEB 4941 application, please review and complete any action items in the Registration Overview, Employer Verification, Enrollment Dates & Credits, and Important Reminders. After you review this information and complete the action items, it’s time to apply. To avoid frustrations and application webpage timeouts, make sure you have the following items readily available before clicking on your term below to apply.

1. Employer Verification Letter (with all required components)
2. Internship Info: Company Address of Internship Location, Phone Number, and Supervisor Contact Info (Name & Email)
3. Resume
4. Complete the internship survey. Log into HIREWarrington – Profile > Outcome > Internship > Accepted Internship
5. For international internships only – Prior approval is required. Additional information can be found on the International Programs site.

GEB 4941 Applications:

• Spring 2025