FAQs

What is an internship?
An academic internship is a structured learning experience in a work setting. A combination of a course and a job, it is an opportunity for a student to work with communications professionals, make valuable contacts, obtain on-the-job experiences, and explore a communications field. The student should receive mentorship, supervision, and training. An internship is not a requirement in the School of Communications and there is no structured program per se. Each student designs his/her own internship with learning objectives, and arranges for a faculty sponsor and a site supervisor. Students on internship maintain weekly contact with their faculty sponsor.
The Communications Program in Los Angeles is administered separately and maintains its own database.

What about a non-credit internship?
In a non-credit internship, the College is not formally involved, although the internship coordinator is happy to help you with ideas. You work out an arrangement with an organization for a paid or a volunteer experience. The experience goes on your resume but not on your transcript - you receive no academic credit.  Many organizations, especially stations, insist a student receive academic credit in order to work on-site. It can be to your advantage to have a formal, for-credit internship.

Who is eligible for a Communications  internship?

• Students must be officially majoring or minoring in the Park School, and not on academic warning.
• Internships are intended primarily for students who have completed sufficient courses for the experience to be beneficial to both student and employer.  While that is generally juniors and seniors, sophomores and freshmen may enroll for one internship credit.
• The responsibility of complying with the deadlines and other requirements, such as attendance at a Sexual Harassment Prevention session, lies with the student.

How much academic credit can students earn through internships?

• A student may apply no more than twelve internship credits toward graduation.
• All internship credit is pass/fail.
• Internship credit through other institutions is not accepted.

How many hours must be worked at an internship to receive one credit?
A minimum of sixty on-site hours. Thus, two credits require a minimum 120 hours. But regardless of the number of hours worked beyond sixty, a student is not required to enroll for more than one credit for a discretionary internship. The maximum is six credits per internship experience (requiring 360 on-site hours.)

Are students required to pay tuition for internships?
Because internships earn academic credit, students pay tuition just as they would for a course.  
During the Fall and Spring semesters, internship credit is part of the fulltime tuition payment (12-18 credits).
For a Winter or Summer Session internship, the student will be billed for the number of credits. In Summer 2009, tuition was  $917.00 per credit.

Can interns be paid for their work?
Yes. Newspapers and Ad/PR companies are especially likely to pay, and some firms, particularly those in metro areas, will cover transportation/lunch expenses.   Available, too, are several special internship opportunities.

Who can be my faculty sponsor?
In Summer term -- any Park School professor with a continuing contract
In Fall or Spring term -- any Park School professor or the Park School internship coordinator