MSIA Students
The Information Assurance (IA) programs offers internship courses for students interested in gaining graduate-level industry experience for credit.
Based on HBS’s academic policy, students can only participate in three semesters of internship courses OR 3 credits, whichever comes first (see the information below regarding the maximum internship policy and choosing the number of credits).
IA 644 vs IA 699:
When applying for an IA internship (and CPT for international students), IA students must choose between the IA 644 and IA 699 course, depending on their academic plans:
- IA 644: This is the IA elective course. Students who merely want the credits to count towards their elective requirements should choose this option when applying for the IA internship/CPT.
- IA 699: This is the IA Culminating Experience course. Students who want the credits to count as the Culminating Experience for Plan C should choose this course in their final semester or year of their MSIA studies. Only 3 credits can be counted toward the IA degree; therefore, students who are completing the Culminating Experience in only one semester should enroll in 3 credits for that semester, while students completing the Culminating Experience over multiple semesters may choose to enroll in only 1 credit per semester (for a maximum of 3 credits over three semesters)
If students have questions about which plan they are enrolled in or which course they should choose, they should contact their IA advisor.
IMPORTANT: IA students CANNOT enroll in both courses. Instead, IA students must choose either the 644 or the 699 route. For example, a student CANNOT enroll in IA 644 and later enroll in 699.
Choosing the Number of Credits:
Only 3 internship credits can be counted toward the IA degree. Additional credits will be counted towards university electives. IA students should use the following advice when selecting how many credits to enroll in:
- One Semester Only: Students who are completing an internship in only one semester should enroll in 3 credits for that semester. By choosing this option, students will use all of their credits in one semester.
- Multiple Semesters: Students participating in an internship that extends over multiple semesters may choose to enroll in only 1 credit per semester (for a maximum of 3 credits over three semesters).
International Students CPT:
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a method for allowing international students to work off campus to fulfill a course requirement.
CPT must be tied to an HBS internship course, including 344, 444, 644, or 699.
View CPT information and CPT Request Form.
Employment Changes:
According to HBS Policy, students are not allowed to change employers during the internship semester, except in extenuating circumstances and only after reviewing those circumstances with the Internship Coordinator and subsequently receiving approval for the change. Terminating an internship mid-semester and subsequently requesting permission to enter into another internship agreement are considered employment changes and are not permissible under this policy.
Extenuating circumstances that might warrant changing employers under this policy do not include, for example, a 'better' internship site, less travel to the internship, better pay/benefits, and/or the inability to obtain a work visa with an employer upon graduation or the promise of obtaining a work visa with a new internship employer.
Note: International students are advised to discuss their strategy for selecting internship employers as it relates to work visa availability with their advisor, program director, or internship coordinator prior to beginning an internship.
If students are having trouble with an employer or the work environment, they should contact the HBS Internship Coordinator for assistance.