Communication/Journalism Internships
Perhaps you already have a “dream” job or internship in mind. When considering an internship, think about the media you consume on a regular basis. Ask your friends, alumni and classmates where they have done internships. Your professors very likely have professional contacts and tips as well.
Internship Application Information
Following is the internship policy for the Communication/Journalism Department:
The following policies clarify and extend the university’s policies on internships, found in the current Shippensburg University Catalog. These policies make the handling of internships consistent throughout the College of Arts and Sciences, although departments are free to institute additional requirements if they deem appropriate.
- Deadlines: Students seeking internships must file the signed paperwork in the dean’s office by the end of the semester prior to the internship semester (December 1 and May 1). All summer internships are due by June 1. Late applications may not receive credit. Students will not be scheduled until completed paperwork is submitted to the dean’s office.
- Requirements: Undergraduate COM students must have a minimum of 60 credits, a 2.5 GPA overall and a 3.0 GPA in their major, plus prior experience in a student-media group as a member or leader to qualify for an internship. Students must also have taken five or more COM courses, including at least one in their professional emphasis. Graduate COM students must have been matriculated in a graduate program to qualify.
- Credits: Undergraduate students may take a maximum of six (6) credit hours for internships with a maximum of six (6) credits counting in the major. Students may count three (3) of the six credits toward their minor, provided both the major and minor departments agree. Students should receive one (1) credit for a minimum of 40 hours work. Students who are double majors may receive a maximum of twelve (12) credit hours of internship credit and count a maximum of six (6) hours in each major with departmental approval. Graduate students should refer to their program requirements.
- Students must fill out a Letter of Agreement and Internship Checklist, which, after receiving approval, the department will keep for a minimum of three years. Here is an example of the paperwork needed.
- During the regular academic year, students should keep a weekly log of their hours and activity and submit it to their faculty internship adviser. At the end of the internship, the student should submit to the faculty internship adviser copies of at least 3 samples of work created during the internship as well as a summary of the activities performed in the internship, briefly describing how these activities met his/her stated educational goals for the internship. Departments may add additional requirements as they deem appropriate.
- Faculty internship advisers must make every reasonable effort to visit interns, and in cases where this is not possible, the advisers must contact both the student and the employer by phone or email during the period of the internship. At the midterm and end of the internship, employers should complete an Organization Internship Evaluation and return it to the faculty internship adviser. Faculty internship advisers will complete a Faculty Adviser Evaluation.
- At the end of the internship, the student should complete the Student Internship Evaluation, which the internship coordinator will review and keep in the department office for three years.
- Students should contact Professor Witmer for a copy of the internship packet once they have secured an internship. Please take special note of the deadlines listed above.
- Internships are not required, but they are strongly encouraged. All internships must provide "real-life" professional experience for the student.