Faculty Syllabus

For a more detailed syllabus, please review the syllabus posted in Blackboard. This syllabus is intended to be a brief overview of the course and is subject to change. The final syllabus will be posted in Blackboard at the beginning of the Summer 2026 semester.

Course enrollment and registration is handled through the office of Larry Stephens, Department Chair, Department of Accounting at ACC. Please contact his administrative assistant at 512-223-4800 for specific details on registration requirements, course approval and deadlines. 

EXPECTATIONS/REQUIREMENTS:

Work Experience

Interns are expected to work a minimum of 144 hours during the semester (e.g. approximately 10 hours per week for 16 weeks). The scheduling of work hours and compensation arrangements are best done by the intern and sponsoring company.  These hours will be substantiated by your weekly journal entries, final paper & presentation, and supervisor evaluation.

Supervisor Evaluations

The sponsoring company should designate a supervisor who will be asked to complete an evaluation of the student intern's performance as well as meet with the faculty coordinator on-site, at the convenience of the supervisor.  A copy of the evaluation is available in Blackboard. 

Internship Agreement

All interns are required to initiate an Internship Agreement (see link in Blackboard).  The agreement is required to be signed by the Internship student, the Internship Instructor, and the Internship Employer.  It is signed in that order.  The agreement should be completed by all parties no later than the 12th class day.  If an internship is not obtained by the 12th class day, the Instructor and Student will discuss reasons behind the delay as well as reach out to ACC’s Internship Office regarding options. 

Weekly Journal Entries in Blackboard

Each intern should keep an ongoing journal (in Blackboard) summarizing significant problems and/or accomplishments experienced during their internship. The student should also use the journal to record policies and procedures that the student will be expected to adhere to or complete. The student is advised to utilize this journal as a reminder of specific activities and minimize the need to ask repetitive questions concerning an activity. The journal is required and counts as 20% of the intern’s course grade.  Each weekly entry should be at least four sentences long.  . 

Final Paper and Presentation

Using your journal, complete and submit a final summary paper.  A copy of the instructions will be provided in Blackboard.  Submit your final reports no later than the due dates indicated below. Points are deducted for each journal entry not timely submitted.

The journal will form the foundation for a report. The report should be at least three pages in length, which will be turned in at the last class meeting (to be determined). You will also be asked to orally present a summary of your report to the rest of the class.

Professional Development

Each intern is to complete 5 hours of professional development; preferably having to do with the accounting field.  I have provided a link to free, virtual learning opportunities.  Upload your 5 hours worth of professional development certificates by the due date. 

Interns are required to submit to the supervising instructor all documentary items timely or as required by the instructor. This includes those documents that need to be completed by the participating employer. Request for information by the instructor should be promptly acknowledged and fulfilled as part of the communication grade indicated below

This is a capstone course that does not require a textbook and has no assigned readings.

COURSE EVALUATION/GRADING SYSTEM:

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES & GENERAL EDUCATION COMPETENCIES:

1. Provide students exposure to the practice of accounting in the business area in which they have expressed an interest.

2. Provide students with an opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills they have acquired, and

3. Provide students with an opportunity to enhance their academic education through real world experience.

COLLEGE POLICIES

LINK: Master Syllabus – College Policies | Institutional Effectiveness and Grant Development | Austin Community College District (austincc.edu)

Clinical Counseling services are available throughout the ACC Student Services District to address personal and or mental health concerns: http://www.austincc.edu/students/counseling .

If an emergency occurs during operational hours, please come to the Student Services Office and let the front intake staff know that you are experiencing a crisis. They will alert appropriate personnel. You may also contact the ACC District Police at 222 (on campus) or 223-7999 (off campus or cell phone).

After Hours:

If you are struggling with a mental health or personal crisis, call one of the following numbers to connect with resources for help. However if you are afraid that you might hurt yourself or someone else, call 911 immediately.

Free Crisis Hotline Numbers:

• Austin / Travis County 24 hour Crisis & Suicide hotline: 512-472-HELP (4357)

• The Williamson County 24 hour Crisis hotline: 1-800-841-1255

• Bastrop County Family Crisis Center hotline: 1-888-311-7755

• Hays County 24 Hour Crisis Hotline: 1-877-466-0660

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

• Crisis Text Line: Text “home” to 741741

o Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)

• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Helpline:1-800-950-NAMI (6264)