The Department of Communication strives to equip students with the resources and networking opportunities to secure the semester-long and summer internships they desire. The department also has a competitive scholarship fund available to aid students with summer internships outside of where they currently live.

Requirements

You must be a currently declared Communication major to enroll in the COMMUN 4940: Internship course and earn Communication course credit for completing an internship.

Compensation

You may earn academic credit toward the Communication major when enrolled in the COMMUN 4940: Internship course. Other opportunities to earn elective course credit are available through the College of Arts & Science. The availability of financial compensation will vary based on the specific internship.

Internship Hours

You can earn 1-3 credit hours based on the length of hours you complete for your internship.

• 50 hour internship= 1 credit
• 100 hour internship= 2 credits
• 150 hour internship= 3 credits

You are only allowed 54 hours of Communication credit toward meeting graduation requirements. Any internship hours exceeding this amount will not be counted.

Steps to Earn Credit

Once you have been offered an internship, complete these steps in order to ensure that you will receive credit from the Department of Communication for your internship experience.

1. Complete the Online Internship Application.
2. Once your application has been received and approved, you will receive a course permission number. Use that number to register for COMMUN 4940 on MyZou.
3. You must keep a record of the hours you work. You will be required by your instructor to record hours each week in your Canvas course. At the end of your internship, have your supervisor verify your hours and sign a completed hours log form (available in your Canvas course). Please open the hours log in Adobe Reader Reader. You can then fill it in and print it for your supervisor's signature.
4. You will need to complete all course assignments available on Canvas. Please ask your instructor any questions you may have about these assignments.
5. At the end of the semester, you will be asked to turn in an Internship Portfolio. While you can be creative about the format of this portfolio, it must contain the following elements:
   1. A brief final self-evaluation essay in which you reflect upon your internship experience. this essay provides an opportunity for you to make connections between what you have learned in your Communication coursework and your work experiences as an intern.
   2. A sample of your work as an intern (reports, proposals, press releases, etc.).
   3. An updated resume.
   4. A sample cover letter. This letter should model how you would present yourself for another internship or job.
   5. A log of your internship hours approved and signed by your supervisor.
   6. The department will send your internship supervisor a Student Internship Evaluation Form and will ask them to complete the form and return it to your internship instructor via email. 

For More Information

For more information on internships from the College of Arts & Science, including A&S Career Development Scholarships, please visit this page to schedule an appointment with A&S Internship Coordinator Kirsten Pape.

To learn more about how to explore career paths and develop your career readiness skills, be sure to make use of helpful resources provided by the MU Career Center.

For more information on internships from the College of Arts & Science, please visit this page to schedule an appointment with A&S Career Coach Justine Durham.