Summer Internships for Credit
Summer Internships via the Middlebury Institute of International Studies (MIIS) Fieldwork Course
As part of their Middlebury College education, Middlebury undergraduates have an opportunity to enroll in a Middlebury Institute fieldwork course (IPMG8650-M) for credit. As an integral part of an established curriculum, this course provides students with a way to pursue internships in the U.S. that require students to earn academic credit (i.e. where the hiring organization requires the credit, or to qualify for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) authorization). The fieldwork course requires approval from the instructor to enroll in the course, which is done through the application process outlined below. There is no additional charge for this course. (Note: Students who successfully complete this course will earn an Institute credit that will appear on the student’s Middlebury transcript.)
Course Catalog Description: IPMG 8650M – Fieldwork
How do the theories and principles that students rigorously investigate in their academic work play out in the day-to-day practice of organizations? This course provides an opportunity for students to apply their classroom learning in an organizational setting. Prior to participating in the course, students arrange for their own internship or fieldwork, which they then undertake at the same time they are enrolled in the course. Students will learn both from the projects and challenges posed by the organization hosting their internship or fieldwork experience, and through explicit reflection on the experience through regular field reports and a final reflection piece linking the overall experience to aspects of their education. (Enrollment in this course may qualify students for Curricular Practical Training authorization or for internships that require academic credit.)
This course requires approval from the instructor to enroll. To request enrollment in the course you must complete the CCI Fieldwork Application process.
To enroll in the course, eligible students must complete a College-based approval process through the Center for Careers and Internships (CCI), followed by confirmation from the instructor. Upon confirmation of enrollment in the course by the Registrar’s Office, International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) will approve international students for Curricular Practical Training (CPT), if eligible.
Eligibility
To be eligible to enroll in the course, students must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Students must have been enrolled at Middlebury for a minimum of a full academic year (fall/winter/spring or spring/fall/winter) prior to engaging in the summer field work course.
- Students who are on a leave of absence during spring or fall before or after the summer term, are not eligible to enroll in the summer fieldwork course.
- Students must enroll for at least one semester (usually fall) at Middlebury after their summer term ends.
- International students may consult the ISSS CPT website for details about qualifying for CPT authorization.
- The internship must directly relate to the student’s academic major (i.e. field of study).
- If you have not yet declared a major, please explain in the Statement of Purpose Prompt* (see below) how the internship is related to your coursework and intended major.
- If a student is ready and eligible to declare, it can be beneficial to do so before you apply for the fieldwork course.
- Students must secure an internship and receive a formal written offer that meets the Internship/Fieldwork Supplemental Letter Guidelines.
The internship must take place within the course dates of the IPMG 8650-M undergraduate section of the Institute’s fieldwork course.
For 2025:
- The start date can be on or after Wednesday, May 21, and no later than Monday, August 4.
- The end date must be before or on Friday, August 29.
- Last date for application submittals, Monday, July 7 (NOTE: Students must apply at least 4 weeks prior to their intended start date.)
How to Apply
How To Apply (for all students) - Follow These Steps:
To seek approval for a Summer Internship for Credit via the Middlebury Institute Fieldwork course, you must complete the three required parts of the CCI Fieldwork Application. Note: Review of applications for summer 2025 will start in March 2025. It may take 2-4 weeks to process your application.
**Important Note BEFORE starting your online application**: To successfully complete the online CCI Fieldwork Application form (#3), you must upload the Internship/Fieldwork Supplemental Letter from your employer (#1) and have completed your Statement of Purpose essay (#2) at the time when you submit and complete your CCI Fieldwork application (#3).
- Internship/Fieldwork Supplemental Letter for Middlebury Fieldwork Course Approval (Provide this template to your company/organization and request a letter on their letterhead and ask them to email it back to you.) Review of applications for summer 2025 will start in March 2025.
- Write a one-page “*Statement of Purpose” Essay (500 words max.), addressing the four prompts below (Please note: if any details are missing the statement will be sent back to you for correcting and you will have to resubmit the entire application.)
- How does the internship connect with your field of study (major)/academic background (list classes) and your career and/or life goals?
- What are your learning objectives (please list at least three)?
- What are your anticipated responsibilities?
- Why do you want to pursue this experience?
- CCI Fieldwork Application form (Apply at least 4 weeks before your intended start date.) Review of applications for summer 2025 will start in March 2025.
Process Timeline
- February/March/April and beyond: Students secure internships.
- March/April: Students attend a required Summer Fieldwork/CPT Information Session. Registration through Handshake.
- Late April & ongoing: Students submit CCI Fieldwork application.
- Late March & ongoing: CCI enrolls students in Middlebury Institute Fieldwork course (IPMG 8650-M) through the Registrar’s Office
- April & ongoing: ISSS processes CPT (usually within 2 weeks of course registration).
- Mid-May/Early June: Registered students attend a required Summer Fieldwork Course Orientation Session.
- May 21-August 29: Summer Fieldwork Course reflection assignments due.
NOTE FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS: Once you submit your application, CCI will review your submission to determine whether you qualify for enrollment in the course. For those who qualify, CCI will provide their recommendation for your enrollment in IPMG 8650-M. The Course Instructor will register approved students through the Institute Records Office (Registrar) and will provide information about course expectations and timelines directly to the students.
ISSS will be notified, if you are an international student approved for enrollment in the Fieldwork course. For students who qualify, ISSS will authorize Curricular Practical Training (CPT). ISSS will update your SEVIS record with the necessary information and will produce an updated Form I-20, showing the dates of authorization and details about the internship sponsor. The updated I-20 can be used to satisfy I-9 requirements at the organization. Students may only begin the internship on or after the CPT start date on their I-20.
Students with questions about enrolling in this course should contact Tracy Himmel Isham (thimmeli@middlebury.edu).
International students with questions about CPT should contact ISSS office (isss@middlebury.edu).