At WashU, students may intern for pay, academic credit, or experience. A student may be able to receive academic credit for a paid internship; however, this is at the discretion of their academic school and is not guaranteed. Please contact your academic advisor to learn more. The Center for Career Engagement does not approve or sign any paperwork related to internships for academic credit.

Financial need prevents some highly qualified students from pursuing unpaid opportunities. We encourage you to offer compensation for internships, in the form of either an hourly wage or a stipend. When you are expecting a student to bring in specific skills and make specific contributions to your organization, payment is very appropriate. Paid internships help to attract the most highly qualified students, as well as solidify time commitments from interns. Being paid will further enhance the intern’s feeling of being an employee and acting like one. By compensating interns, organizations also avoid any potential questions regarding Wage and Hour Law issues. If you are unable to pay, you may consider offering some other form of payment (reimbursement for transportation, parking, meals, free training/workshops, etc.).

• NACE’s 2021 guide to compensation for interns & Co-ops (PDF)
• GlassDoor.com
  Use “Intern” in the job title to browse salaries anonymously posted by employees and employers.

Students are covered under Washington University’s General Liability Policy if the internship is done for credit. Credit must be arranged prior to starting the internship.

Please read this important information from the US Department of Labor on paid vs. unpaid internships: US Department of Labor Information on Paid vs Unpaid Internships.

Internal internships at WashU Schools and Departments must offer either pay or academic credit. WashU staff and faculty with questions about wage policies should contact WashU HR.