Which Internship is Right for You?
The general Honors Internship Course (SCHC 498) fulfills the Honors BTC requirement. The course also fulfills an Honors elective if a student has previously fulfilled the BTC requirement. To enroll in SCHC 498, students must complete the Honors Internship Contract and have that contract approved before beginning an internship experience. Students enrolled in the course must work at least 150 hours and complete the academic requirements as outlined in the syllabus. When the course is reflected on the student’s transcript and passed with a grade of ‘C’ or better, the Honors advisor will note completion of the BTC requirement on the student’s Honors Advising Form.
The State Government Program is offered each academic year and gives students the opportunity to work in state government while earning academic credit. SCHC 491 fulfills the BTC requirement. The course also fulfills an Honors elective if a student has previously fulfilled the BTC requirement. Learn more about the program and how to apply here.
Administered by the Honors College, the South Carolina Washington Semester Program (SCWSP) gives students from colleges and universities across the state the opportunity to spend a semester interning and studying in Washington, D.C. SCHC 493: Washington Semester Internship is a 9-credit hour course: three credits will fulfill the BTC requirement; six credits fulfill Honors electives. If a student has previously fulfilled the BTC requirement, all nine credits from SCHC 493 can be applied to Honors electives. Learn more about the program and how to apply here.
Departmental internship courses may also fulfill the Beyond the Classroom requirement. Students should check with their major advisor and individual college to inquire about pre-approved departmental internship courses. Students are responsible for keeping their Honors advisor informed if they plan on enrolling in a departmental internship course. All courses not pre-approved are reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the SCHC Internship team to determine if the course is eligible to fulfill the BTC requirement.
Students will either self-enroll or be enrolled through their department. If approved, when the course is reflected on the student’s transcript and passed with a grade of ‘C’ or better, the Honors Advisor will note completion of the BTC requirement on the student’s Honors Advising Form.
The Career Center’s Cooperative Education and Internship Program (fall, spring and summer semester) may also fulfill the Beyond the Classroom requirement. This program is a good fit for students participating in a full-time cooperative education or internship experience during a major academic semester. Students should communicate with the Career Center’s Experiential Education Team regarding eligibility and enrollment in the program for the fall, spring, or summer semesters. Students are responsible for keeping their Honors advisor informed if they plan on enrolling in the program. Students will be enrolled in the program through the USC Career Center. When the program is reflected on the student’s transcript, the student will earn six Honors credits. Three credits can fulfill BTC requirement, and 3 credits can fulfill an Honors Elective. The Honors Advisor will update the Honors advising form accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Students can enroll in the Honors internship course multiple times. Each internship experience must be approved through the Honors Internship Contract. The Honors internship course (and other approved internship experiences noted in the BTC policy) can fulfill the BTC requirement or an Honors Elective.
A student must complete at least 150 hours to earn 3 Honors credits for an Honors internship. Exceeding the 150 hours for an internship experience does not result in additional Honors credits.
No. While the general Honors Internship Course for 1-2 credits (SCHC 494) cannot fulfill the Honors BTC requirement, it can fulfill Honors Elective #7.
To enroll in SCHC 494, students must complete the Honors Internship Contract and have the contract approved before beginning an internship experience. Students enrolled in the course must work at least 50 hours per credit hour and complete the academic requirements as outlined in the syllabus. When the course is reflected on the student’s transcript and passed with a grade of ‘C’ or better, the Honors advisor will note completion of Elective #7 on the student’s Honors Advising Form.