Earn College Credit While You Work
Requirements
To participate in any Work Experience Education course, 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)
- Not a currently enrolled students at College of the Desert can complete the 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 Education 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 a Work Experience Education course (095A), while other programs offer the course as an elective.
Take a look at the Work Experience Participating Programs to select the correct course based on your current educational goal, current position, and number of hours you will be working.
General Work Experience (WEG-095A) course is for students who have a job, internship, or volunteer position that does not relate to their desired major or occupational goal.
A maximum of 5 credits/units may be earned, if you meet the hour requirements during the enrollment term.
Occupational Work Experience courses, such as: Automotive Technology (AUTO-095A), Kinesiology (KINE-095A), Business and Hospitality (BUMA-095A), etc. are for students who have a job, internship, or volunteer position that relates to their desired major or occupational goal.
A maximum of 5 units/credits may be earned, if you meet the hour requirements during the enrollment term.
Available Sessions
| Session | Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 |
| 16 week | 8/26/24 - 12/16/24 | 1/27/25 - 5/23/25 | N/A |
| 12 week | 9/23/24 - 12/16/24 | 2/24/25 - 5/23/25 | N/A |
| 8 week | 10/21/24 - 12/13/24 | 3/24/25 - 5/23/25 | Dates TBD |
Earning Units/Credits
The number of units/credits you earn in a Work Experience Education course is based on the number of hours you work during the enrollment term.
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
The following hours must be completed within the course session start and end dates. Units/Credits are determined as followed for paid or unpaid positions:
- 1 unit = 54 required hours
- 2 units = 108 required hours
- 3 units = 162 required hours
- 4 units = 216 required hours
- 5 units = 270 required hours
How Many Hours Can You Commit to Work/Intern?
Students must determine how many hours they are able to work/intern/volunteer during the enrollment session before selecting how many units/credits to enroll via Self Service. Use the table below for guidance.
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.
Contact the Work Experience Education Office for further assistance in determining the correct number of units, if you have a unique schedule.
| Course Length |
Estimated Minimum Hours Per Week |
Work Hours Required By End Of Course |
Units Earned |
| 16 weeks | 3.5 | 54 | 1 |
| 16 weeks | 7 | 108 | 2 |
| 16 weeks | 11 | 162 | 3 |
| 16 weeks | 14 | 216 | 4 |
| 16 weeks | 17 | 270 | 5 |
| 12 weeks | 5 | 54 | 1 |
| 12 weeks | 9 | 108 | 2 |
| 12 weeks | 14 | 162 | 3 |
| 12 weeks | 18 | 216 | 4 |
| 12 weeks | 23 | 270 | 5 |
| 8 weeks | 7 | 54 | 1 |
| 8 weeks | 14 | 108 | 2 |
| 8 weeks | 21 | 162 | 3 |
| 8 weeks | 27 | 216 | 4 |
| 8 weeks | 34 | 270 | 5 |
Register for Work Experience
- Once you have reviewed the information above, you are ready to register. Not sure 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.
- You may now 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.
