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The key differentiator between one-year and two-year, full-time MBA programs historically has been one-year MBA students needing to forgo an internship due to the condensed timeline of a one-year program. At Lehigh University we only offer a one-year, full-time program, "1-MBA", and realize that for some students an internship can be a powerful tool in helping with a career pivot or to gain additional industry experience at a company in the United States. Lehigh University’s 1-MBA has a strong track record of preparing MBA students for the workplace without an internship and we anticipate that will continue to be the most common path for 1-MBA students; however, flexibility is key as our focus is to meet the needs of each individual student. By offering an optional internship component to the program, students are best able to position themselves for their re-entry to the marketplace by determining if an internship will set them up to meet their post-MBA goals.
Important Internship Logistics
While the Lehigh University 1-MBA program will support students searching for internships, please note that internships are not guaranteed, and the onus is on the student to secure an internship. Both domestic and international students can pursue an internship. Internships cannot count towards any concentration.
Before you accept an offer, all internships must be approved by the 1-MBA Program Director and/or department chairs to determine the quality of the opportunity.
Summer Coursework
Concentrations
Any summer course(s) required for a concentration will most likely be completed in the evening and/or online (synchronous & asynchronous). It is strongly suggested that your internship is in Eastern Time (EDT) and during regular business operating hours (9am-5pm) to ensure you can attend your evening coursework.
Contact your advisor if your internship is outside of Eastern Time.
CPT or U.S. Company Requirements
For international students who will be working on Curricular Practical Training (CPT), or if an internship requires a domestic student to enroll in a concurrent course, you will be required to register for a 1-credit internship course and will be charged a per-credit rate for the course.
In addition, some internships will require students to return to their program for an additional semester. Lehigh will most likely be able to accommodate this by deferring credits to the fall semester and extend your degree completion date.
CPT also requires that international students enroll in no more than 6 credits while interning. Lehigh will most likely accommodate this by deferring credits to the fall semester.
Contact your advisor for more information on credit deferral.
Degree Completion
Choosing to complete an internship may extend your degree completion date. Please view the graduation dates below based on your choice of concentration, including those who are undeclared.
Undeclared, Financial Management and Marketing Concentrations
Domestic + International Students: July Program Start | August Diploma (13 months)
Business Analytics and Supply Chain Management Concentrations
Domestic Students: July Program Start | August Diploma (13 months)
International Students: July Program Start | December Diploma (18 months)