Wheaton students may participate in and receive academic credit for individual international opportunities including internships. Please contact your academic department for details, as requirements may vary.
International Academic Internships
Students are encouraged to consider the possibility of completing an internship for academic credit towards their selected major, but must meet any department pre-requisites for completing an internship.
An internship is a work-related learning experience which is incorporated into a student's academic program. It gives the student an opportunity to integrate theoretical learning in a major area of study with actual work experience. It is intended to enhance educational goals, expand job skills, and guide career decisions. The internship may be completed for 2-8 credit hours (0 credit hours for Christian Formation and Ministry) under the direction of a faculty advisor and an employer supervisor.
To earn credit, the internship must be in the major (or minor or certificate program). No more than 12 hours of internship credit can be taken toward a degree, and no more than eight hours can be counted toward a major. No more than eight hours can be earned for the same internship experience. Billing for internship credit is at normal tuition rates.
A minimum of 40 clock hours of work experience is required for one academic credit (e.g. a 4-hour internship would require a minimum of 160 clock hours of work experience). Depending on the nature of the internship, a department might expect or require more than the minimum required hours.
Information for an anticipated International Internship, Practicum, or Fieldwork in Summer 2025
All students who would like to receive academic credit from Wheaton College for a summer 2025 international internship, practicum, or fieldwork must complete an International Academic Internship application in GoGlobal, Wheaton's travel registration system.
Eligibility: See the Wheaton College Internship Guidelines and be aware of any eligibility guidelines that your academic department may have.
Travel is College-sponsored if students receive academic credit for the experience, fulfill a degree or course program of study requirement, or are funded by grants, scholarships, or financial aid from Wheaton College. Not all international locations are eligible for review.
- Wheaton College will not endorse student travel to any international location with a U.S. Department of State Level 4 (Do not travel) Travel Advisory due to security issues or other risks.
If you are planning an internship, practicum, or fieldwork for the summer, carefully read the information below, noting the deadlines as they are firm and will not be extended.
Requirements for all College-sponsored, international student travel:
- All students must meet the College-wide eligibility requirements for participation in international programming.
- All students must register their travel in GoGlobal and meet all pre-departure requirements and deadlines.
- If College-sponsored travel involves organized contact with vulnerable populations*, students are required to receive or have received the minimum required vaccines for childcare workers in the state of Illinois. The immunizations, whether administered as a single dose or in a series, must be completed at least two weeks in advance of the date of departure. As a matter of Christian ethics, we are committed to minimizing the risk of bringing vaccine-preventable disease to an at-risk community.
*Vulnerable populations, as defined by the IRB and other sources, include: children, the elderly, individuals with disabilities, institutionalized individuals (such as hospital patients, prisoners, and residents of nursing homes or orphanages), individuals of low socio-economic status (given potential limited access to healthcare), and individuals with certain pre-existing medical conditions.
APPROVAL PROCESS
For travel to an international location with a U.S. Department of State Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions) or Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution) Travel Advisory:
Directions: Register and complete an International Academic Internship application in GoGlobal. All College requirements must be complete by the relevant deadline indicated in the final column of the chart below to be Approved for Participation. All deadlines are firm and will not be extended.
For travel to an international location with a U.S. Department of State Level 3 (Reconsider Travel) Travel Advisory or high medical risk:
Notes:
- All travel to a location with a U.S. Department of State Level 3 requires review by the International Risk Assessment and Management Committee (IRAMC).
- International location(s) will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the College. Approval is not guaranteed, and all College decisions are final. Please be aware that all approved locations will continue to be monitored and Wheaton can withdraw approval at any time if conditions change or deteriorate in-country.
- To determine the ISOS medical risk rating for your location, go to International SOS and use Wheaton College's member number 11BSGC000040 for the Subscriber log-in. At the Log-in screen, select “Get started.” Enter your Wheaton College email address to log-in (or select Sign-up to set up an account) and your ISOS password. Once you are at the Wheaton College organization page, enter your international location in the "Search Destinations" bar. The risk ratings will appear on the top of the Overview page for the country.
Directions:
Step 1 - Register and complete the first phase of a GoGlobal International Academic Internship application by the relevant deadline indicated in the chart below. Incomplete materials will not be considered. Students will receive an e-mail response from GPS which will provide direction on the additional materials required for International Risk Assessment and Management Committee (IRAMC) review. Additional materials are due by Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at 8:00 a.m.
Step 2 - The IRAMC will review student internship/fieldwork placements at the March meeting. IRAMC decisions will be communicated to the student via email; all decisions are final.
Step 3 - If IRAMC approval is granted, students must complete all remaining College requirements (in their GoGlobal application) by the relevant deadline indicated in the chart below to be Approved for Participation.
IMPORTANT DEADLINE DATES
| First part of GoGlobal application complete | Additional materials due for IRAMC review at the March meeting | SHS Intake Form due | College requirements for international travel complete | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| International placement in a location with a Level 3 Travel Advisory or high medical risk | Monday, March 3, 2025 | Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at 8 a.m. | Friday, March 28, 2025 | Friday, April 25, 2025 |
| International placement in a location with a Level 1 or 2 Travel Advisory | Monday, March 24, 2025 | (Not applicable - IRAMC review NOT required) | Friday, March 28, 2025 | Friday, April 25, 2025 |
Please contact the Global Programs and Studies (GPS) office for support. The GPS office is located in McAlister 170 (1st floor on the west side of the building). GPS can be reached at gps@wheaton.edu or 630-752-7309.