Department of Mass Communication and Communication Studies
Internship Registration
Registration for all internships in Mass Communication and Communication Studies should be completed within three weeks of the first day of classes for fall and spring semesters, and by the last day of drop/add for minimester and summer semesters.
Unit coordinators are not available for internship approval June 16 – Aug. 14 or Dec. 15 – Jan. 20. Secure the approval outside these times.
Check our internship announcements page for recent internship postings.
Step 1: Understand the Eligibility for Internship
You are eligible for an internship when you meet the following academic requirements:
- You are a junior or senior with 60 earned units.
- A GPA of 2.75 or higher overall and 3.0 or higher in the major. How to calculate your major GPA (PDF).
- Acceptance into the Mass Communication major (not pre-MCOM) or a declared major in Communication Studies with 12 credits completed.
- Successful completion (C or better grade) of the “gateway” course in the track or major in which you want to earn internship units:
Advertising track: Principles of Advertising (MCOM214)
Public Relations track: Principles of Public Relations (MCOM253)
Journalism track: Newswriting (MCOM255) for students under Catalogue 2007-2008 and before, or Journalism & New Media II (MCOM258) under Catalogue 2008-2009
Step 2: Start the Internship Search
Identify potential internships in which you could meet your goals/objectives and rank internships by preference. Potential internships may be found through:
Also refer to the list of pre-approved internships in each track:
- Journalism and New Media list (PDF)
- Advertising and Public Relations list (PDF)
- Communication Studies list (PDF)
Step 3: The Approval Process
It is strongly recommended that you discuss the job description with the unit coordinator of the respective track in MCCS before you send out the resume if you want to pursue an internship not included in the pre-approved list. Otherwise, the internship you obtained may or may not be approved for TU academic units.
Once you are offered the internship, ask your prospective employer to complete the Internship Description Form (PDF) and/or write a separate job description on the company’s official letterhead, signed by the internship supervisor. Job description should include details on the specific tasks and the approximate percentage of internship hours that will be spent on each task.
If the internship is not on the pre-approved list, schedule an appointment with the unit coordinator of the respective track in MCCS and bring:
- Internship Description Form (PDF) signed by the employer with an attachment of the job details.
- Brief company information including the type of business, number of employees and the years in business.
Once approved, accept the internship and confirm the start date with the employer.
Students should NOT start an internship before obtaining an approval. Any hours earned prior to the approval do not count toward the internship units.
Step 4: Meet with Your Internship Faculty Advisor and Register for the Internship
Select a faculty internship advisor who must be a full-time faculty in the track of your internship.
Schedule a meeting with the faculty internship advisor. Bring the following items to the meeting:
- Internship Description Form (PDF): needs an approval by the Unit Coordinator if not pre-approved.
- Your most recent Degree Progress Report.
- Calculation Major GPA (PDF)
- Internship Registration Form
- The following Internship Forms from the Career Center website: Mid Semester Evaluation Form, Final Evaluation Form, Learning Plan, Work Hours Log, Student Evaluation Form.
Your internship faculty advisor will:
- Determine the number of units you may earn from the internship. Most internships are 1-3 units. Typically, every 40 hours of approved internship is worth 1 unit.
- Assign a special permit number so you may register on-line or in person.
- Explain the required forms and written assignments and any deadlines.
- Help you complete the Internship Registration Form.
MCOM majors may earn a total of nine internship units (six maximum in a semester), but only six will count toward the major. COMM majors can earn six internship credits (three maximum in a semester), of which three credits count toward the major.
Department of Mass Communication and Communication Studies
Media Center, Room 114 (map)
Phone: 410-704-3431
Fax: 410-704-3656
Mailing address: 8000 York Rd., Towson, MD 21252
Advising and program information: jarmstrong@towson.edu
Webmaster: mccs@towson.edu
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