In cases where a student can earn academic credit and not just a certificate for the internship, it could be a worthwhile investment. The student has to pay for

In cases where a student can earn academic credit and not just a certificate for the internship, it could be a worthwhile investment. The student has to pay for those credits anyway to graduate, and real-world experience can provide educational benefits unlikely to be gained in a classroom. If, on the other hand, the university or college does not give genuine academic credit but simply notes it on the transcript AND they charge for that notation, it's likely a bum deal.