Experiential Learning Placements & Reporting

Georgia Southern’s participation in SARA permits students to complete Experiential Learning Placements in states other than Georgia, subject to certain limitations. Such placements include internships, externships, clinicals, practicums, clerkships, student teaching, rotations, and other on-the-ground supervised learning / field experiences. The Office of Adult and Online Learning is responsible for communicating with each department each semester in order to obtain an accurate state-by-state count for Georgia Southern’s national reporting obligations.

State Authorizations and Internships Outside of Georgia

Each state may pass state-specific laws that apply to activities taking place within their state, such as supervised field experiences, clinicals, and internships. State-specific laws include requirements that must be met before an internship can take place, such as the two laws listed below:

New Hampshire Internship Registration Requirements for Unpaid Internships
New Hampshire requires that programs such as internships, job shadowing, or mentor programs be approved by the Labor Commissioner when a student is working for practical experience and is not being paid or is being paid at a sub-minimum rate per Regulations (RSA 279:22-aa; New Hampshire Administrative Rules Chapter LAB 805). This law is in the employer’s best interest, setting a clear understanding that the unpaid work between intern and employer is tied to the student’s academic studies and no such student shall be allowed to replace an existing or a laid-off worker. It is the employer’s responsibility to fill out and have this on file with the Department of Labor. A list of pre-approved employers is found here: https://www.nh.gov/labor/site-map/schools.htm

If the employer where you want to do your internship is not yet approved, they must complete the following TWO FORMS ASSOCIATED WITH APPROVAL FROM THE NH DEPARTMENT OF LABOR:
Pre-Screening – Form to be completed annually to ensure compliance with NH labor laws
a. Employer to fill out and submit form directly to NH Department of Labor

Approval Form for Non-Paid Work-Based Activities – Form to be completed once to ensure internship specifics and documentation are in connection to student(s) academic studies.  
a. Employer to fill out and submit the form (along with the pre-screening form) directly to NH Department of Labor  
b. You will need to work with the student you plan to hire to connect to an academic course syllabus or program goals  
c. An approval form is good and does not need to be re-submitted unless the academic program it is connected with changes over 90%
Please view frequently asked questions here. For additional questions or concerns about the NH Department of Labor laws and approval process, please connect with inspectors at InspectionDiv@dol.nh.gov. 

Colorado Workers Compensation Requirement
The Colorado Workers Compensation Act defines unpaid interns as employees and requires the university overseeing the internship/monitoring/supervising the internship to provide them with Worker’s Compensation insurance. See Colorado Department of Labor and Employment: https://cdle.colorado.gov/workers-compensation-act (C.R.S. 8-40-302(7); C.R.S. 8-43-409)

To prevent violation of this regulation, note the following:

• The Worker’s Compensation Act does not allow students to purchase their own worker’s compensation.
• Student teachers are required to have worker’s compensation coverage provided by the district in which they are completing their student teaching per § 22-62-105 (as part of the Cooperative Teacher Education Act). [See the Act for more information]
• Georgia Southern University cannot purchase worker’s compensation insurance as required by Colorado law, therefore students enrolled in either online or on-campus programs cannot be placed in on-ground unpaid field placements, internships, co-ops, or clinicals in the State of Colorado.
• Paid internships can be completed in Colorado, as paid internships do not fall under the Worker’s Compensation Act. 

Last updated: 8/5/2024