The Internship Program allows qualified students to earn academic credit while gaining first-hand experience in their chosen fields. Internships are available to BFA students with a junior or senior ranking and MFA students who completed one year of course work– although it is never too early to begin researching opportunities.
Benefits Students Gain by Participating in an Internship
- Using classroom skills in a real-world employment situation
- Learning new skills from professionals in one’s chosen field
- Gaining first-hand work experience prior to graduation
- Networking with professionals, which may lead to future employment opportunities
Steps to Pursue an Internship for Credit
Internships for credit are intended to replace a studio or elective course in your major. Course placement will be determined and approved by the department chair. Students may earn 3 or 6 credits for an internship, depending on internship structure and contact hours.
BFA Requirements:
- Student must be a Junior or Senior in studio courses.
- Student must meet the College’s Junior Status Policy requirements.
- Student interns must have a cumulative GPA of 2.8 or higher.
- Portfolio Approval Form signed by Department Chair or full-time faculty member.
- All students pursuing an internship must have their portfolio approved by their department chair or full-time faculty member.
MFA Requirements:
- Complete one year of course work.
- Grade Point Average of 3.0 or better.
- Portfolio Approval Form signed by Department Chair or full-time faculty member.
- All students pursuing an internship must have their portfolio approved by their department chair or full-time faculty member.
Students may search for internships in the following ways:
- Visit CCS Handshake to view internships and jobs that have been vetted by the Office of Partnerships
- Job Search sites such as the ones listed in the Additional Resources section on the Office of Partnerships departmental page
- Visit websites of companies of interest to research internship opportunities and the application process.
- Schedule an appointment with the Office of Partnerships if additional assistance is needed.
Once you have secured your internship location:
Considerations:
- For credit internships are only $450 for 3 credits.
- A student may take ONE 6-credit internship or TWO 3-credit internships.
- The contact hour requirement for a three-credit internship is 135 hours over the course of the semester; six-credit internships require 270 contact hours over the course of the semester.
- You must register for your internship when you register for classes. The last day to add a class is the same for internships. Contact the Office of Partnerships to get the paperwork necessary to register for a for credit internship.
Requirements:
BFA
- Must get approval from your Department Chair
- Portfolio approval form required on file
- Must be a Junior or Senior in studio courses
- Must meet the College’s Junior Status Policy
- Must have a cumulative GPA of 2.8 or higher
MFA
- Must have have approval from your Department Chair
- Portfolio approval form required on file
- Must complete one year of course work
- Must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
Onboarding Process:
- Share an update with your Chair to identify a Faculty Supervisor
- Share an update with your Academic Advisor for credit approval
- Collaborate with Office of Partnerships to complete necessary paperwork:
- Portfolio Approval Form (if needed)
- Internship Site Information Form and Learning Contract (In collaboration with your Internship Site Supervisor) Link to form: Fillalble Internship Site Information Sheet AND Learning Contract
- Provide GPA, Student ID, name of faculty supervisor and which course will be replaced with Office of Partnerships
- Review Internship Handbook and Canvas Requirements:
- Internship Handbook 2022
- Provide Weekly Journal Entries
- Two check-ins with Faculty Supervisor
- Final Presentation with Faculty Supervisor
- Submit all information to Office of Partnerships before drop/add date each semester
For more information contact Shannon McPartlon – smcpartlon@collegeforcreativestudies.edu
Internship Cost and Billing
Internships for credit are billed at a lower per-credit hour rate ($150 per credit hour) than other CCS coursework.
All enrolled courses, including internship courses for credit, will be billed the same tuition rate . The Financial Aid Office will be notified that a student is taking an internship for credit and will apply the Internship Grant to the students account, reducing the internship course cost to $150.00 per credit hour or $450.00 for a 3-credit internship course or $900.00 for a 6-credit internship course.
A student can review their semester billing statement through Self Service and contact the Financial Aid Office to discuss any further financial aid eligibility.
Steps to Pursue a Non-Credit Internship
Non-credit internships are another option for students to pursue a professional experience. Non-credit internships do not require a specific GPA, class standing or a mandated number of contact hours. There is no tuition cost for a non-credit internship and there is no limit on the number of non-credit internship opportunities that a student can take.
Students who will be on hiatus or enrolled less than 6 credits during their internship should contact the Financial Aid Office in order to fully understand any financial implications.