Alvernia Apprenticeship to Degree Program

Engineering 2025

Alvernia Apprenticeship to Degree Program

With Alvernia's Apprenticeship to Degree Program, students have the opportunity to earn, learn and intern, forging careers while contributing to the development of the local workforce.

Alvernia's Apprenticeship to Degree Program gives students the opportunity to earn, learn and intern, forging careers while contributing to the development of the local workforce. This program establishes a dynamic partnership between the university and local industries, small businesses and government entities. Through paid experiences and internships, students embark on a journey of professional growth and development.


The Apprenticeship to Degree initiative allows employers to introduce Alvernia students to their organizational culture with the prospect of making long-term hires. Enrolled students gain valuable employment opportunities and enjoy the benefits of on-campus housing during the fall and spring semesters with the possibility of housing in the summer session, credits toward graduation and a comprehensive orientation to the diverse career options throughout the region. The program fosters familiarity and consistency by encouraging students to engage with the same organization/employer for multiple years, enhancing exposure, understanding and appreciation for the employer's industry. The AU Apprenticeship to Degree Program is not just an internship program, it's a brain gain for students and the local community. In addition to completing the program application, you must be in good academic standing with the university to participate.

County of Berks joins Alvernia’s Apprenticeship to Degree program

A2D Internships

Apprenticeship to Degree students interned at the following host employers during summer 2025:

• Bayada
• B. Braun
• County of Berks
• Custom Processing Services
• Entech Engineering, Inc.
• Tompkins Financial

Learn More

  • Costs of hiring and training new employees will be offset by a one-to-three-year internship/externship that may lead to hires.
  • Students studying at Alvernia will stay in the region leading to less attrition.


Academic Year Semester Housing

  • Move in early as needed for internship
  • Housing Cost - $59 a day
  • Alvernia provides professional training and mentoring to assist with transition to employment.
     

Summer Housing

  • Housing Cost - Covered by Alvernia
  • Alvernia provides professional staff and residential assistants on-site to support residents and monitor activities on campus.


Externship Model

  • Provide part-time paid externship opportunities for Alvernia University students during the academic year and full or part-time to full-time paid externship opportunities in the summer.
  • Offer a variety of employment options for students to choose, including engineering, communications, business and marketing.
  • Employer hiring processes implemented
  • Employer requirements instituted and financially supported if licensing and training is required
     

Internship Model

  • Provide 10-20 hour a week internship opportunity (part-time) or 20-40 hours (fulltime, summer & winter only) for Alvernia University students during the academic year.

Apprenticeship to Degree vs. O'Pake Fellows Program

Alvernia's Apprenticeship to Degree and Alvernia's O'Pake Fellows program serve similar but different purposes to increase opportunities and exposure for Alvernia Students.

Student Experiences

Apprenticeship to Degree Program

O'Pake Fellows Program

Socialization to Professional Culture

Employment-Based Internship

 

Project Based Fellowships

 

Exposure to one industry partner's culture

 

Exposure to multiple industry partners. Work may occur on site.

 

1-3 years of scaffolded training and employment interviews for long-term employment in the company

 

Retain students in the Reading area

Obtain credits for the experience