Overview

Internships provide students with practical experiences in career settings. Internships must be communication related and should offer practical experience appropriate to the major. Students may intern in the Auburn/Opelika area, but may choose to arrange internships in other cities. Many of our students have interned in Birmingham, Atlanta, New York, Los Angeles and London.

Students may select one of the internships found on the website or may develop an internship more appropriate to their interests. All internships must be approved by the faculty advisor: Ric Smith, 210 Tichenor Hall, 844-2757, smithrw@auburn.edu

Students should meet all prerequisites prior to arranging an internship. However, exceptions may be made for unique circumstances. For a complete list of prerequisites, read the Department of Communication & Journalism Internship Packet.

All students must complete COMM 3500, COMM 3600 and RTVF 3300 (in addition to other prerequisites) prior to interning. Transcripts will be checked to make sure prerequisites have been completed. Students must submit an Internship Agreement prior to the start of the internship term.

Course Registration

All interns must be registered for COMM 4920, PRCM 4920 or RTVF 4920 during the term when the work is performed. The internship course is for three or six semester hours of academic credit.

For the three credit hour option: The student should work 15 hours per week during Fall or Spring semesters or 20 hours per week during the 10 week Summer term.

For the six credit hour option: The student should work 30 hours per week during Fall or Spring semesters or 40 hours per week during the 10 week Summer term.

The requirements listed for course credit are minimum on-the-job hours. The student and the supervisor may agree that additional hours will enhance the internship experience; therefore, the student has the option of working more than the required minimum.

Additional Details

The internship should begin the first day of class and continue through the last day of class. Internships are not allowed for the 5 week Summer mini-sessions.

For Fall and Spring semesters the total course load (internship plus other courses) cannot exceed 15 credit hours. For Summer term the total course load cannot exceed 12 credit hours.

Internship Packets are available in the Main Office and on our website.