Internships and Learning into Action

Work-Based Learning at SVC

Opportunities to apply classroom knowledge in professional settings, develop career-ready skills, and build valuable connections with employers. Providing local employers with opportunities to engage with emerging talent and contribute to the development of the future workforce.

Choose Your Pathway

Academic Internships

Workplace-based Experience

Earn academic credit while gaining supervised, hands-on experience with a business, industry, government agency, or nonprofit organization. Academic internships allow students to apply classroom learning, build professional skills, make industry connections, and explore potential career paths.

Takes place at an approved employer host site
Relates directly to the student’s program of study
Overseen by a workplace supervisor or mentor
May be paid OR unpaid
Required for certain SVC programs

Learning Into Action

Community-based Applied Learning

Earn academic credit by applying knowledge and skills from previous coursework to a real-world project, activity, or community initiative.

Takes place at an approved project or placement site
May include multiple related activities in one Learning Contract
Guided by a faculty sponsor
Applies existing knowledge rather than introducing an entirely new subject
May fulfill elective credit when approved

Eligibilty and Requirements

To qualify for an Academic Internship at Skagit Valley College, students must meet the following criteria:

Be enrolled in an SVC program that requires or approves an academic internship.
Receive approval from the Cooperative Education Coordinator.
Register for the associated 199 course.
Identify and secure an approved internship site, if this is the student’s responsibility.
Complete a Learning Contract signed by the student, workplace supervisor or mentor, and Cooperative Education Coordinator.
Establish measurable learning objectives before beginning the internship.
Ensure the internship relates to their program of study.
Complete the internship during the academic quarter in which they are enrolled.
Complete at least 33 internship hours for each academic credit earned.
Complete all associated course assignments and requirements.

To qualify for an Learning into Action at Skagit Valley College, students must meet the following criteria:

Be enrolled at SVC and receive approval to register for the LIA 299 elective course.
Identify and secure a faculty sponsor with relevant subject-area expertise.
Secure an approved project, placement, or community site.
Identify a site mentor or supervisor.
Complete a Learning Contract collaboratively with the faculty sponsor and site mentor or supervisor.
Establish clear, measurable learning objectives related to the project.
Design an integrative experience that applies knowledge and skills gained through previous college coursework.
Complete the experience during the applicable academic quarter.
Complete all required course assignments.
Submit a final evaluation and reflection after completing the project.