SMITHFIELD, RI – Bryant University announces a major expansion of its internship policy, allowing full-time students to pursue for-credit internships in the summer and winter months as part of their general tuition. The new policy is a differentiator in the higher education landscape; many institutions require students to pay out of pocket to earn course credit for off-semester internships.
"As a leader in experiential learning, Bryant University is committed to ensuring every student gains real-world experience through internships," says President Ross Gittell, Ph.D. "Internships have long been a cornerstone of a Bryant education, helping students build professional networks, develop job-relevant skills, and explore career paths with the support of faculty mentors and the Amica Center for Career Education. This initiative strengthens that foundation by expanding access, integrating internships more deeply into the curriculum, and providing career-aligned experiences across disciplines, further distinguishing Bryant graduates in the marketplace."
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The expanded tuition-paid internship policy, which launches in tandem with summer internship enrollment on February 26 and covers up to six course credits per student, reflects Bryant’s institutional legacy of outcomes-focused education — one of the key reasons why Bryant ranks in the top 1 percent of higher education institutions for return on investment, according to Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce. A recent analysis of Bryant’s Class of 2023 found that 99 percent of graduates were employed or in graduate school within six months, with a starting salary of $72,500.
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The policy also removes barriers to key career development opportunities for students who might not have pursued summer and winter internships due to financial constraints.
“At Bryant, internships are a core part of our mission to provide impactful experiential learning opportunities, where students tackle real-world challenges and develop their skills as innovative leaders,” says Bryant University Provost and Chief Academic Officer Rupendra Paliwal, Ph.D. “Bryant has a well-deserved reputation for delivering outstanding student education outcomes and this latest move to strengthen our internship program will keep us at the forefront of fostering career success for our graduates.”
Bryant’s students work closely with faculty, academic advisors, and the staff of the university’s nationally recognized Amica Center for Career Education to craft and plan for-credit internships that will enhance their learning outside the classroom and support their career goals. Many Bryant students secure jobs prior to graduation as a direct result of internship placements.
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“Providing quality internship opportunities is not only a central part of Bryant’s commitment to experiential learning; it’s also a vital component of the student experience, enabling Bryant students to thrive here and after graduation,” says Inge-Lise Ameer, Ed.D., Bryant’s vice president of student affairs and dean of students. “Our internship opportunities and the wide range of support programs offered by the Amica Center connect our students to tremendous corporate and community partners, allowing them to fully explore their options while gaining hands-on experience that prepare them for successful careers.”
Hundreds of top-tier companies — including Fidelity Investments, PwC, Nike, and Google — take part in the career center’s recruiting and internship offerings each year. The Bryant Career Connection platform, powered by Handshake, connects students to more than 35,000 job opportunities and nearly 17,000 internship opportunities across the nation. Two internship and career fairs, boasting more than 100 organizations each, as well as regular networking events, also help students gain access to important experiential learning opportunities.
In addition, the 50,000-plus members of Bryant’s global alumni community, many of whom identified internship and career connections through the university’s network, pay it forward by connecting current students with internship opportunities in their fields.
About Bryant University
For 160 years, Bryant University has been at the forefront of delivering an exceptional education that anticipates the future and prepares students to be innovative leaders of character in a changing world. The university delivers a uniquely integrated academic and student life experience with nationally recognized academic programs at the intersection of business, liberal arts, and health and behavioral sciences.
Located on a 465-acre contemporary campus in Smithfield, R.I., Bryant enrolls approximately 3,800 undergraduate and graduate students from 41 states and 50 countries. Bryant is recognized as a top 1% national leader in student education outcomes and ROI and regularly receives high rankings from U.S. News and World Report, Money, Bloomberg Businessweek, Wall Street Journal, and College Factual. Bryant.edu
