Title of Effective Practice: - California Postsecondary Education ...

Direct Connection to Policy Area 1 of The Illinois Commitment
DeVry University’s Internship Program
DeVry University-Illinois
What issue or need is addressed by the effective practice?
The program gives students hands-on experience in a business environment and provides local employers with
student interns who are skilled, trained and eager to learn.
Description of the effective practice:
Initiated in 2005 as a pilot project, the internship program is an elective course offered to students at the DuPage
and Tinley Park campuses of DeVry University. For their participation, they earn three credit hours and can
enroll for three semesters. Local businesses are matched with students who are exploring careers in the areas of
accounting, technical management, business information systems, human resources, project management,
marketing, and operations management.
To participate in the program, a student must have a 3.0 grade point average, a minimum of 70 credit hours,
three letters of recommendation and an up-do-date resume. Prescreened applicants are interviewed and, if
accepted, carefully matched with a company. Interns may or may not be paid by the host company.
How does this practice achieve sustainability?
The pilot project at the DuPage and Tinley Park campuses has met with such success that the Chicago campus is
planning to launch the internship program in fiscal year 2007. In addition, the results from 2005 and current
activity in 2006 show a strong demand for the program among both businesses and students.
What are the results/measurable outcomes?
To date 11 students have completed their internship program course work and 11 more are currently enrolled.
Twelve businesses have been involved and three more are signed up for future semesters. Several companies
have included more than one internship student during a semester. Surveys with hosting businesses show
positive feedback and three businesses have requested additional interns. Students also report positive
experiences and many benefits from this type of “reality” education.
Contact Information
Name: Susan Wallace
Email: wallace@dpg.devry.edu
Phone: (630) 652-8300
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