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College Credit and Academic Requirements with Intern Abroad HQ

Academic Credit

Advance your education while traveling abroad - without breaking the bank!

Academic credit is available on every Intern Abroad HQ program, no matter your destination, placement type, or length of stay. Whether you're interning for two weeks or immersing yourself for a full semester, you can earn credit toward your degree while gaining real-world experience.

Are you working toward (or planning to pursue) an undergraduate degree? Take advantage of this affordable way to enhance your studies while saving on tuition. Our courses are open to all nationalities. Don't miss your chance to turn your internship experience into valuable academic credit!

1. Earn US Academic Credit

Unlock the opportunity to earn up to 16 US academic credits alongside your internship.

Through our School of Record partnerships in the United States, your internship experience can contribute directly to your academic journey. Earning US credit is open to anyone, regardless of nationality or where you're studying, and it's even available on our remote internships.

How it works:

  • The amount of academic credit you can earn depends on the course(s) you choose and the length of your internship program. Read through the options below to find what best fits your budget and academic goals.
  • Once you've confirmed your Intern Abroad HQ program, you can add your preferred academic credit course.
  • Complete your coursework and internship hours.
  • Receive a transcript from the University of Montana or Warren Wilson College, making it easy to transfer credits to your home institution.
  • Need more time to complete the coursework? No problem! You still have time to finalize the course after your internship has ended. You don't necessarily have to cram it all into the same schedule.

Academic Courses:

Global Citizenship

$799 USD

  • 3+ US credits
  • Online coursework, completed at your own pace
  • No minimum program length required, great option for 2-4 week durations
  • Best if you're short on time

Professional Pathways

$1,799 USD

  • 10+ US credits
  • Online program, made up of four courses
  • No minimum program length required, 16 credits can be earned in 8 weeks
  • Greatest value

Credit is awarded based on submitted assignments and the number of internship hours completed (45 hours are required, per credit). Because our programs tend to be around 30-40 internship hours per week, you should allow for 1-2 weeks per credit.

1 credit: 45 hours (2 weeks)
2 credits: 90 hours (3 weeks)
3 credits: 135 hours (4 weeks)
4 credits: 180 hours (5 weeks)
5 credits: 225 hours (6 weeks)
To enroll:

Let your Intern Abroad HQ Program Manager know, and they'll get you sorted! Otherwise, after you've registered for your internship, select and pay the academic credit fee, based on your program length and desired credit amount.

1-5 credits: $599 USD (2+ week internship programs)
6+ credits: $1,199 USD (7+ week internship programs)
Transcript issued from:

University of Montana (1-5 credits)

Warren Wilson College (6+ credits)

We recommend talking with your academic advisor about how earning academic credit can support your degree. Contact us for a sample transcript and course syllabus.

Request course syllabus & sample transcript

If you're looking for a flexible way to earn academic credit, this is a fantastic option. The Global Citizenship Course is worth 3 US credits, and you can complete the coursework at your own pace - before, during, or after your time abroad.

To earn more than 3 US credits, this can be paired with our General Internship course, which is based on the number of internship hours you complete (40 hours are required, per credit). For a 3-week internship, you could earn up to 5 credits for only $799 USD.

To enroll:

Let your Intern Abroad HQ Program Manager know, and they'll get you sorted! Otherwise, select and pay the transcript and Global Citizenship course fees after you've registered for your internship.

1-5 credits: $599 USD (2-3+ week internships)
6+ credits: $1,199 USD (4+ week internships)
Plus:
Global Citizenship Course: $200 USD

Total: $799 USD (3-5 credits), or $1,399 USD (6+ credits)

Transcript issued from:

Warren Wilson College

We recommend talking with your academic advisor about how earning academic credit can support your degree. Contact us for a sample transcript and course syllabus

Request course syllabus & sample transcript

Through the Professional Pathways Program, you can receive a full semester's worth of academic credit - at a fraction of the cost. Traditional study abroad programs often cost $15,000 USD or more. With Intern Abroad HQ, you can go abroad for 12+ weeks, while earning up to 16 academic credits, for $5,000 USD or less!

The Professional Pathways Program is made up of four courses:

  • Global Citizenship (3 credits)
  • Personal Development and Wellness (3 credits)
  • Professional Development and Effective Communication (3 credits)
  • General Internship (1-7 credits)

The first three courses are fully online, so you can complete them at your own pace, and they are open to any Intern Abroad HQ program length.

The General Internship course is based on the number of internship hours you complete. Because 40 hours are required per credit, you should plan for 1-2 weeks for each additional credit you'd like to earn. For example, you can earn 10 US credits for a 2-week program or 16 credits for an 8+ week program.

To enroll:

Let your IVHQ Program Manager know, and they'll get you sorted! Otherwise, select and pay the academic credit and Professional Pathways Program course fees after you've registered for your internship.

6+ credits: $1,199 USD
Professional Pathways Program: $600 USD

Total: $1,799 USD

Transcript issued from:

Warren Wilson College

We recommend talking with your academic advisor about how earning academic credit can support your degree. Contact us for a sample transcript and course syllabi.

Request course syllabus & sample transcript

2. Earn academic credit through your home institution while interning abroad

Many of our interns successfully earn academic credit through their home institutions while participating in an Intern Abroad HQ program. Our dedicated Campus Team is here to guide you every step of the way, from navigating university requirements to completing any necessary paperwork for placement approval.

Have questions or need support? Reach out to us - we're here to help make your international experience count towards your degree!

Contact the campus team

3. Earn UK Academic Credit

Join a volunteer program with our sister organization, International Volunteer HQ, and study at your own pace, from anywhere in the world. Accredited by the National Open College Network (NOCN), the Diploma in International Volunteering empowers you to make a global impact while earning a recognized qualification.

This is more than just another certificate. It's a Level 3 Diploma, designed to give students a competitive edge in university applications, interviews, and future careers. When you complete the Diploma in International Volunteering, you gain:

  • 16 UCAS points
  • A structured learning arc: prepare → do → reflect
  • Essential skills that boost your employability

This flexible online program features five engaging modules designed to support your learning before, during, and after your time abroad. Take the next step in your volunteering journey and turn your experience into a valuable qualification.

Learn more about the diploma

I believe that if interns do not opt for academic credit, their experience would not be as meaningful, as they would not fully understand the bigger purpose. The way the reflection questions are worded accomplished not only being a guide for what we have to learn about, look for, and understand while abroad, but also a scaffold for us to build a resume, by encouraging us to reflect what skills we have developed as a a result of our immersion within the culture and within the medical environment (and its challenges) abroad). At the end of the coursework, interns will be able to better articulate, in their resumes and essays, the essence of what medical schools want to see people achieve: a wider view of the world and a growth mindset. Moin Mirza, US intern in Morocco

Academic Credit Videos

Watch these videos to find out everything you need to know about earning college credit through an Intern Abroad HQ internship or IVHQ volunteer program from our expert team.

Why Earn College Credit Through An Intern Abroad HQ internship?

Why Earn Academic Credit Through An Intern Abroad HQ Internship

Webinar: College Credit & Study Abroad Alternatives with Intern Abroad HQ & IVHQ

Watch Academic Credit & Study Abroad Alternatives Webinar with Intern Abroad HQ & IVHQ

Academic Credit FAQs

Anyone, from anywhere in the world, including high school students and non-students, can earn academic credit. There are no prerequisites and the only requirement is that you are at least 15 years old at the time of your program start date.

Credits transfer differently at each institution. We recommend that you map out your degree plan with your academic advisor before opting to add academic credits. This way you will know exactly how the credits will apply before you commit your time and money. We are happy to share a sample syllabus and transcript that you can review with your advisor in advance.

If you are a high school student or not currently studying, you will always have access to your academic transcript and can transfer the credits at a later date.

No, our course assignments are meant to provide opportunities for self-reflection and deeper thought on the day-to-day work you will be completing at your placement. You should not expect a heavy course load as the primary focus of the course is the experiential learning you will gain from your hands-on internship hours.

Although assignment due dates are suggested, the course is self-guided and many students complete assignments after they return home.

Once you have completed your online application in the MyIAHQ portal, you will be able to select the appropriate ‘Earn # Academic Credit’ option on the ‘Add-Ons’ page. Click ‘More Info’, then ‘Check Availability’ to confirm your interest.

If you have questions about how many credits you can earn based on your selected program and duration, please contact your dedicated Program Manager.

Financial aid is allocated by your university and must meet specific criteria, which can vary by institution. We have worked with students using financial aid in the past; however, you will need to discuss this with your academic and / or financial advisor directly to determine if our programs are eligible for university funding.

No - we receive applications on a rolling basis and start dates are available year round. However, you should be aware of when you’d ideally like to commence your internship, so that you can confirm your participation in a timely manner, allowing sufficient lead-in time to plan and prepare

Advance confirmation is strongly recommended. Payment of the Deposit serves to confirm participation (and cover the first installment of your Program Fee) which is required, since internship placements will not be held or arranged until this is done. To provide students with as much flexibility as possible, we offer two options to choose from when you're booking:

The Standard option covers your regular Deposit cost of US$499. This value is therefore deducted from your Program Fee total and, in all circumstances, is non-refundable. When booking your internship, we recommend that you choose the Standard option when your chosen internship start date is within 4 months or less.

To ensure you can plan with more confidence (having ample time to obtain academic approvals or funding), our Flexi option provides an additional safeguard. The Flexi option costs US$599 and when paid, the regular Deposit cost of US$499 is deducted from your Program Fee total. The Deposit value of US$499 is refundable should you wish to cancel, provided that you cancel within 90 days of your payment date. Also, provided that you cancel at least 90 days in advance of your earliest registered start date. Therefore, we recommend that you choose the Flexi option when your chosen internship start date is more than 4 months away.

Academic Credit Enquiry Form

Fill out the quick form below to find out how you can receive academic credit for your internship, or email us at info@internhq.com.

What course(s) would you like to receive more information about?*

What interns have to say:

”I knew that I had to do an internship in order for me to graduate on time. I applied to more than 30 companies for internships and then began to receive rejection emails. I was so worried because I really wanted to graduate on time, so I started doing research and found Intern Abroad HQ. I made the decision to use them and that was the best decision I ever made - my internship experience with Intern Abroad HQ was great!”

”My primary focus during the semester abroad internship program was to improve my Spanish. I’m working towards a Bachelor’s degree in Spanish so this program was perfect for me. The program allowed me to live abroad and gain cultural experience as well as improve my Spanish speaking abilities.”

”I had the time of my life and I will never forget my internship in Bali. I met amazing people and had a great time while doing a compulsory internship for my university! What I really liked about Intern Abroad HQ is that they helped us with everything from the visa to insurance and accommodation.”

READ MORE INTERNSHIP REVIEWS