How SEED Works

Internships are offered in Ghana, Kenya, and the Philippines (English-speaking), and the Dominican Republic and Peru (Spanish-speaking). In each location, SEED partners with NGOs, nonprofits, schools, and other organizations to provide business opportunities for individuals within the communities we serve. SEED interns do this by teaching business development courses and mentoring new and existing business owners as they grow and strengthen their businesses.

Seed location map highlighting Ghana, Kenya, Philippines, Peru, Domincan Republic
  • Internship team sizes vary by location
  • Internships last approximately 12 weeks during Spring, Summer, and Fall semesters
  • Internship credit may be available depending on a student's major
  • Student may also have opportunities to receive credit toward the Entrepreneurship Minor through their preparation for and participation in SEED

See What Course Credit You Can Receive

Course credit that interns can receive is dependent on declared major. Please check with your academic advisor for other opportunities not listed below.

(Any internship credits or course work that students are able to complete while abroad has to be determined before leaving on the internship. College credits are not given for participating in the SEED program unless a student first talks to an advisor and then registers for the classes or internship credits that he/she wishes to complete while abroad.)

  • Business major – Set up an appointment with your academic advisor.
  • Non-business major – Set up an appointment with Ruth Loveland for business-related internship credits. This internship also fulfills other requirements for non-business majors. Check with your academic advisor to see the SEED internship meets any requirements related to your course work and major.

Possible credits that a SEED internship may fulfill are listed below. Please talk to your academic advisor for more information.

  • MSLE 4250 (1-3 cr): Marketing and Strategy Internship
  • MGT 4250 (1-3 cr): Management Internship
  • ACCT 4250 (1-3 cr): Accounting Internship
  • ECN 4250 (1-9 cr): Economics Internship
  • FIN 4250 (1-9 cr): Finance Internship
  • IS 4250 (3 cr): Management Information Systems Internship

Entrepreneurship Minor

The Entrepreneurship Minor is a great complement to the SEED experience. While these courses are not required to participate in the program, students are encouraged to take any or all of them as they prepare for their internship. The knowledge and skills gained through these courses can strengthen the experience abroad as students work directly with entrepreneurs to help them build and grow their businesses.

  • MSLE 3510 - New Venture Creation
  • MSLE 3530 - New Venture Marketing
  • MSLE 3540 - New Venture Finance
  • MSLE 3580 - New Venture Execution

Students may also have opportunities to receive credit for select Entrepreneurship Minor courses through their preparation for and participation in the SEED internship. Contact the SEED team for more information about available course credit options.

MSLE 3590 Small Business Consulting Course Requirement

Students who are accepted to the SEED program are required to complete the 2-credit MSLE 3590 Small Business Consulting course prior to leaving for their internship.

In the MSLE 3590 Small Business Consulting course students will:

  • Develop small business consulting skills
  • Review the curriculum they will teach
  • Create lesson plans
  • Learn about internship expectations
  • Learn about the country and culture they are assigned to
  • Receive training on how to stay healthy and safe
  • Review passport and visa requirements

Once in the country, students will participate in teaching curriculum, writing simple business plans and financial statements, funding and securing assets, and keeping businesses owners motivated and on track to accomplish their goals.