The Department of Economics  supports students who want expand their academic experience beyond the traditional classroom. ECON386 allows students to obtain credit for internships related to their studies in economics.

Students are responsible for seeking and securing their own internships; the ECON department does not actively match students with internships. Internship opportunities forwarded by potential sponsors are posted on the ECON Opportunities Newsfeed. Internship opportunities can also be found using Handshake, the University Career Center's online career management platform or by utilizing a student’s own resources.

Internships must meet certain eligibility requirements in order to be considered for ECON386. Students must submit an ECON386 application in advance of the term you plan to complete the internship. You cannot earn credit after your internship is already completed.

If approved, students will register for three (3) credits of ECON386. For students on the Bachelor of Arts track, these credits may count towards their Experiential Learning requirement. For students on the Bachelor of Science track, these credits will count as elective credits. ECON386 does NOT count as an ECON 300-level course of choice. Grades for ECON386 are Satisfactory or Fail (S/F). Per university policy, Satisfactory (S) grades are not included in GPA; however, a Failing (F) grade will be. ECON386 may not be repeated.

Student Eligibility Requirements

  • Student must be an economics major.
  • Student must have at least 60 cumulative credits completed.
  • Student must have a minimum UMD cumulative GPA of at least 2.5.

Internship Eligibility Requirements

  • Academic credit will only be granted for para- or pre-professional work. 
  • Clerical, basic administrative office work, or internships requiring cold calling do not qualify.
  • The internship must be related to a student's study of Economics.
  • The internship must be completed at a well-established organization based in the United States under the direct supervision of an experienced professional. Remote internships may be accepted on a case-by-case basis.
  • The internship cannot be at a company owned by a relative, with a relative, or with anyone who reports to a relative.
  • Student must work a minimum of 135 hours during the term they are registered for ECON386 and the internship must span the full length of the term.
  • Credit for ECON386 will only be given in the term during which the internship is conducted.
  • Students may not use the same internship towards more than one internship/practicum course. If you are accepted for an internship course that is not listed on the approved course list please speak with an ECON Advisor.
  • Students may not earn academic credit for the same internship more than once.

Note: Internships that are not related to a student’s study of Economics may be eligible for credit through one of the BSOS internship courses.

If you have any questions regarding the eligibility of a particular internship for academic credits, please meet with ECON Advising prior to accepting the position.

ECON386 Application

In order to be considered for ECON386, a student must completely fill out and sign the application form and then obtain a signature from their internship supervisor. Students must also submit a current resume with their application form. Completed applications can be emailed to the ECON386 Coordinator, David Tana (dvtana@umd.edu).

Acceptance to ECON386 is not guaranteed and is at the discretion of the ECON department based on the quality of the application and the eligibility criteria. ECON may contact either the student or the internship supervisor for additional information prior to determination of eligibility. If approved, you will be notified by email that you can register for ECON386 using Testudo.

All applications MUST be submitted with sufficient time in order to be evaluated prior to the last day of schedule adjustment for the current term. Applications for Spring 2026 are now open! 

  • Priority Application Deadline: Friday, January 23rd   
  • Final Application Deadline: Monday, February 2nd

ECON386 Assignments & Responsibilities

In addition to completing at least 135 in-person internship hours, credit for ECON386 is earned through the successful completion of several assignments. Aside from an orientation session at the beginning of the term and a resume review meeting at the end of the term, there are no scheduled meetings for ECON386. All assignments are expected to be submitted via ELMS. ECON386 assignments showcase your ability to reflect on your work experience and include:

  • Progress reports
  • Final reflection paper
  • Letter from the supervisor
  • Internship review

Failure to complete any of these assignments will result in a grade of "F." For more detailed information on these assignments, email David Tana.

For Spring 2026, the required orientation and resume review meetings will be on the following dates:

  • Mandatory Orientation via Zoom at 4:00PM EST on Wednesday, February 4th.
  • Resume Review Meetings via Zoom between May 4th and May 8th. Full details will be sent to students accepted into ECON386.

Additional Information

  • At the start of the term, all students enrolled in ECON386 will receive a detailed syllabus including the exact due dates of all assignments.
  • Supervisors may be contacted throughout the term to verify the student's schedule, duties, and to determine how well the intern is performing his/her work.
  • In case of illness, students are responsible for notifying their supervisor in advance, as well as noting their missed work days in their progress report.

Professional Responsibilities

Students should keep in mind that when they are at their internship they are in a professional working environment. This is a great opportunity for students to network, gain work experience, develop themselves on a personal level, and earn recommendations for future jobs/graduate school. Students are expected to act in a professional manner. While at an internship, students are not just representing themselves, but they are representing the University of Maryland, College Park and the Department of Economics.

If you have any questions about your eligibility for earning academic credit via an internship, contact ECON Advising.