Student Affairs

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of coursework at Clemson. Students normally enter the program as sophomores or juniors
and complete two to five rotations in a co-op assignment. Engineering majors must complete
a minimum of three rotations (two regular semesters and one summer) to complete the
program and receive a certificate. All other majors may complete the program with two
rotations. Some majors may require students to complete the Co-op Program as part of the
curriculum. Departments requiring participation in the program will refer students to the
program office. Students should enter the program and begin the matching process in the
semester prior to the one in which they want to do their first rotation.
Off-Campus and International Internships
An internship is a form of experiential learning that integrates classroom knowledge with
career-related work experience. Internships can be a vital link between college majors and
the exploration of professional opportunities. Students are able to participate in a domestic
internship on or off campus, as well as internationally. Specific requirements will vary
depending on the type of internship and the student’s major. Internships are typically offered
for a specific period of time during the Spring or Fall semester (14-16 weeks) or during the
Summer (10-14 weeks). Students are strongly advised to begin their search at least four to six
months in advance. Students are also advised to attend a workshop, contact their department
or visit with a career counselor at the beginning of each semester.
The CCPD offers a variety of services for students to find internships. In addition to providing
counseling and resources that aid in the internship search process, part-time and full-time,
zero-to-three credit hour internship courses, which are denoted on students’ academic
transcripts, are also available through the CCPD. The full-time INT courses also allow
students to maintain their University enrollment status while interning. Students enrolled
in the programmust register for the appropriate course number (e.g. INT 1010, 1020, 3010,
etc.) for each rotation to receive a grade of Pass or No Pass. Students pay a course fee each
academic term that coincides with an internship rotation.
On-Campus Internships
The University Professional Internship and Co-op (UPIC) Program offers students paid,
on-campus professional learning experiences. Students have the opportunity to work with
Clemson faculty and staff as well as receive an internship notation on their transcript.
Enrollment in the INT course is required for this program. In order to be eligible for the
program, a student must have completed at least one full semester at Clemson University and
be an enrolled, matriculating undergraduate student in good standing. Student applications
for future internships are typically listed in ClemsonJobLink halfway through the semester
prior to the experience.
Departments andMajor Requirements
Internships typically involve working with a professional mentor on a structured project
relating to a student’s major or career interests. Credit-bearing internship courses may
be available through a student’s academic college or department. Some majors may also
require students to complete an internship as part of the curriculum. Further inquiries about
departmental internship requirements should be directed to the specific department.
To learn more about the CCPD, visit
Core Competencies
Employers and graduate and professional schools want students to demonstrate the
knowledge, skills and attitude (competency) necessary for success in their respective fields.
Students need to polish skills they have, develop skills they don’t have and apply them in a
variety of settings. Students should continue to take advantage of the countless opportunities
Clemson offers and visit the CCPD to learn how to articulate the skills they have acquired.
For more information about these competencies, visit
Career Fairs
Career Fairs are a great way for students to professionally network as they engage in
their job search process. The Michelin Career Center, part of the Center for Career and
Professional Development, coordinates a variety of career fairs every semester. There is a
HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT:
CENTER FOR CAREER AND
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
• Encourage your student to make an
appointment with a career counselor
at the CCPD. They can assist with
advice, resume critiquing, cover letter
editing and job search tools.
• Encourage your student to discuss
career opportunities and plans with
faculty and advisers as well as any
professionals in the field. Networking
is the key to success.
• Encourage a professional online
identity. If you have a LinkedIn
profile, network with your student by
role modeling a professional online
identity. Hopefully, your student will
recognize the value of networking in
this digital environment.
master’s degree in as little as one extra year after receiving the bachelor’s degree. It also
spares students the cost and trouble of taking the GRE and applying to graduate schools.
If accepted into this program, your student automatically matriculates into the graduate
degree program upon receiving their bachelor’s degree.
See or a complete list of participating
programs and encourage your student to discuss the program with their adviser.
CREATIVE INQUIRY
Clemson is recognized as a top-ranked, research-intensive institution for its undergraduate
research programs. One of the very unique aspects of Clemson University’s research
initiatives compared to its peer institutions is Creative Inquiry (CI). CI is the imaginative
combination of engaged learning and undergraduate research and is available to any
undergraduate student.
In CIs students take on problems that spring from their own curiosity, a professor’s challenge
or the pressing needs of the world around them. Team-based investigations are led by a
faculty mentor and typically span two to four semesters. Students take ownership of their
projects and explore unique avenues to solve problems and get answers. Students often
find themselves presenting their work at national conferences and fielding questions
from professionals. This invaluable experience produces exceptional graduates. Our CI
participants develop critical thinking skills, learn to solve problems as a team and hone their
communication and presentation skills.
One of the best ways to start learning about CI projects happening in a student’s field of
study is simply by engaging with faculty members and asking what projects are happening.
Students and faculty members can team up to apply and submit ideas for new projects to
be created. Topics and opportunities are boundless. Learn more about CI or search current
projects by visiting
CAREER DEVELOPMENT AND EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION
Center for Career and Professional Development (CCPD)
Part of supporting a college student is letting them explore their career interests as well as
allowing them to learn discipline-specific content outside of the classroom setting. Providing
opportunities to learn through engagement and to develop professionally are highly valued
by students as well as by the University. Students may do this through cooperative education
assignments, on-campus internships, and off-campus and international internships. These
opportunities help students to start developing competencies that employers and graduate
and professional schools are seeking. For more information about these competencies, visit
Cooperative Education Program
The University’s Cooperative Education Program (Co-op Program) is an academic engaged-
learning program that provides students with opportunities to work and learn under mentors
in their fields of study. Students are employed full-time in these co-op assignments by
companies who partner with the program. Co-op assignments, which are robust experiences
that involve multiple rotations, provide a contextual dimension to the college curriculum.
Students add to their fund of knowledge in their field as they engage in project work at
the co-op site. The student’s experience is closely monitored by the program’s academic
staff throughout their participation. Each student is assigned to a co-op adviser who will
guide them through a structured placement process before monitoring/evaluating their
experience for learning outcomes and professional development. Cooperative Education, as
the term implies, represents a collaborative effort between the University and participating
companies.
Students may qualify for the Co-op Program after satisfactorily completing 30 credit hours
of coursework and declaring their major. Transfer students may qualify after one semester