Earn College Credit While You Work
Requirements
To participate in Work Experience, students must:
- Have declared a major or career goal
- Have a job, internship, student worker, or volunteer position secured before enrolling
- Commit to the job/internship/volunteer position for the duration of the enrollment term (for example: 16-weeks, 12-weeks, or 8-weeks during summer)
- If you are not a current College of the Desert student, complete your Application for Admission.
Getting Started
Begin earning college credit for your current job, internship, or volunteer activities as early as your first semester. Contact our Work Experience Office or use the resources on this page and left menu to get started today!
Enrolling in a Work Experience Course
There are two types of Work Experience courses: General and Occupational. Some degrees and certificates require Work Experience, while other programs offer Work Experience as an elective.
Take a look at the Work Experience Participating Programs to select the correct course based on your current position, educational goal, and number of hours you will be working.
General Work Experience (WEG095A) courses are for students who have a job or internship that does not relate to their desired major or occupational goal.
A maximum of 6 credits/units may be earned if you meet the hour requirements.
Occupational Work Experience courses, such as: Automotive Technology (AUTO095A), Kinesiology (KINE095A), Business and Hospitality (BUMA095A), etc. are for students who have a job or internship that relates to their desired major or occupational goal.
A maximum of 8 credits/units may be earned, if you meet the hour requirements.
Available Sessions
| Session | Fall 2023 | Spring 2024 | Summer 2024 |
| 16 week | 8/25/23 - 12/15/24 | 1/29/24 - 5/24/23 | - |
| 12 week | 9/25/23 - 12/15/24 | 2/26/23 - 5/24/23 | - |
| 8 week | - | - | Dates TBD |
Earning Units/Credits
The number of units/credits you earn in a Work Experience course is based on how many hours you work per semester.
Students must complete learning objectives, required course assignments, and forms, which can be found via Canvas once enrolled, to receive credit for the course.
Calculating Work Hours and Units/Credits
Units/Credits are determined as follows:
- Paid position - 1 unit per 75 hours worked during the semester
- Unpaid position- 1 unit per 60 hours worked during the semester
- Note: The maximum units allowed for General Work Experience courses is 6 per semester or 8 units maximum for Occupational Work Experience courses.
Work hours must be completed within the semester's start and end dates. Late start courses (12-week session) are available.
How Many Hours Can You Commit to Work/Intern?
Students must determine how many hours they are able to work or intern during the semester/session before selecting how many units/credits to enroll via Self Service. Use the table below to guide you.
If you are actively seeking an internship, consider your school schedule and time-management skills, along with the agency needs to determine how many hours you can commit to an internship.
| Session Length |
Estimated Hours Per Week |
Work Hours Required By End Of Semester |
Units Earned |
| 16 weeks | 5 | 75 | 1 |
| 16 weeks | 9.5 | 150 | 2 |
| 16 weeks | 14.5 | 225 | 3 |
| 16 weeks | 19 | 300 | 4 |
| 16 weeks | 23.5 | 375 | 5 |
| 16 weeks | 28.5 | 450 | 6 |
| 16 weeks | 33 | 525 | 7 |
| 16 weeks | 37.5+ | 600 | 8 |
| 12 weeks | 6.5 | 75 | 1 |
| 12 weeks | 12.5 | 150 | 2 |
| 12 weeks | 19 | 225 | 3 |
| 12 weeks | 25 | 300 | 4 |
| 12 weeks | 31.5 | 375 | 5 |
| 12 weeks | 37.5+ | 450 | 6 |
| 8 weeks | 9.5 | 75 | 1 |
| 8 weeks | 19 | 150 | 2 |
| 8 weeks | 28.5 | 225 | 3 |
| 8 weeks | 37.5+ | 300 | 4 |
| Session Length | Estimated Hours Per Week | Work Hours Required By End Of Semester | Units Earned |
| 16 weeks | 4 | 60 | 1 |
| 16 weeks | 8 | 120 | 2 |
| 16 weeks | 11.5 | 180 | 3 |
| 16 weeks | 15 | 240 | 4 |
| 16 weeks | 19 | 300 | 5 |
| 16 weeks | 22.35 | 360 | 6 |
| 16 weeks | 26.5 | 420 | 7 |
| 16 weeks | 30+ | 480 | 8 |
| 12 weeks | 5 | 60 | 1 |
| 12 weeks | 10 | 120 | 2 |
| 12 weeks | 15 | 180 | 3 |
| 12 weeks | 20 | 240 | 4 |
| 12 weeks | 25 | 300 | 5 |
| 12 weeks | 30 | 360 | 6 |
| 12 weeks | 35 | 420 | 7 |
| 12 weeks | 40+ | 480 | 8 |
| 8 weeks | 7.5 | 60 | 1 |
| 8 weeks | 15 | 120 | 2 |
| 8 weeks | 22.5 | 180 | 3 |
| 8 weeks | 30 | 240 | 4 |
| 8 weeks | 37.5+ | 300 | 5 |
Register for Work Experience
- Once you have reviewed the information above, you are ready to register. If you are unsure what type of course or number of units to enroll in, contact us before registering, so you can make an informed decision about your enrollment.
- Students may register via Self-Service through the Student Portal.
Access Your Work Experience Course Via Canvas
Log into Canvas the first day of class to review syllabus and begin course!
Dropping or Withdrawing
Notify your instructor before you plan to withdraw from the course, if you may be terminated from your job or internship, or if you experience any event that may prevent you from completing the required hours.
Students may be dropped at census by their instructor due to no participation. Students are expected to follow the same add/drop dates as any other course.
