Service learning vs. internships
An internship is a form of intensive applied learning. Other forms include practicums, clinical experiences and field education. The purpose of an internship is for students to acquire skills and gain experience in a supervised setting. Internships may or may not be tied to a credit-bearing course with academic content. Interns usually spend a substantial amount of time at their work sites (typically 80-120 hours per semester). Some but not all internships are designed to serve the public good. The Office of Service Learning maintains a list of selected public service internships in the New Orleans area.
Service learning helps students acquire useful skills, and it can even lead to professional opportunities. However, its purpose is to illuminate classroom subjects through real-world activities which positively impact individuals and organizations in the wider community. The time commitment for service learning is usually less (15-30 hours per semester).
| INTERNSHIP | SERVICE LEARNING |
| Focus: developing students' skills for post-graduation endeavors | Focus: understanding course content through active learning |
| Not necessarily service-oriented | Must be mutually beneficial and contribute not only to learning but also to the well-being of communities and individuals |
| Not necessarily tied to a credit-bearing course | Always in conjunction with a credit-bearing academic course |
| Time commitment is mostly work; course meeting time may be minimal | One component of a regular course |
| Can be paid or unpaid | Uncompensated |
