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College of Communication

Rowan University College of Communication

Internships

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GENERAL DESCRIPTION
An internship is a course undertaken outside the classroom in which students, under supervision, perform tasks, test theories, and exercise skills learned in the classroom.

Internships are typically performed in a commercial setting, where a student trains under the guidance of a professional mentor.

GENERAL INTERNSHIP OBJECTIVES*
Not every student will achieve every objective in a particular internship. However, students should realize a number of the following objectives.

Internships will provide students with opportunities to

* Adapted from the Management Internship Site of Minnesota State University at Mankato.

See department websites for more specific objectives and requirements.

CREDIT
1. Each 3-credit course (Field Experience I or II) requires students to perform 120 supervised hours of work.

2. Each student is generally limited to 6 credit hours (240 on-site hours) of internship. In special cases, with a faculty advisor's consent, a student may apply for an additional 3 hours.

ENROLLMENT
Here are the requirements for enrolling in the program. Students must

  1. Have completed 75 hours of study.
  2. Have a minimum 2.5 Grade Point Average in their major.
  3. Check their major department's website for additional requirements (e.g., coursework).
  4. Have pre-approval from their campus advisor and have completed the following checklist.

INTERNSHIP CHECKLIST
Students considering an internship should

1. Meet with their advisor to determine if:

  • The internship is appropriate for their professional development.
  • They will have completed 75 credits by the time the internship begins.
  • They have a 2.5 or higher GPA in the major.

2. Seek out an internship opportunity through one or more of the following:

  • Experience eRecruiting (an employment site hosted by the Rowan CAP Center)
  • The Rowan CAP Center (a site with additional opportunities)
  • Instructors’ leads
  • Students’ own contacts
  • The Internship Bulletin Board in Bozorth Hall (next to the Boz. 105 office complex)

3. Obtain the advisor's (and specialization professor's) approval and signature on an Internship Application & Approval Form. Click here to download a copy of the form. In most cases the advisor’s signature is all that is required (the advisor may also sign the form as specialization professor). However, if students’ previous work has been in one department, and they wish to take an internship in another, students will be required to get the approval and signature of professors in both specializations.

4. Fill out and sign, along with the host supervisor and the advisor, the Internship Application & Approval Form (see above). Be sure to include a written agreement with the internship host concerning:

  • Responsibilities of the job and duties to be performed
  • Number of work hours
  • Beginning and ending dates of the internship

5. Submit the completed form to the current Internship Supervisor or contact person in your department. These are the supervisors for fall 2009:

6. Register for the course. Students must be registered for the course during the semester in which they are interning—not the semester before or after.

7. Attend the internship orientation (except for summer semester). You will be notified about the orientation session.

EVALUATION AND GRADING
A grade for the internship will be determined after the student has provided:

1. An accurate LOG of on-the-job hours signed by the on-site supervisor.

2. A PORTFOLIO of representative work, including items such as articles, news releases, brochures, newsletters, script copy, audio-visuals, flyers, strategies, etc.

3. A final written CRITIQUE (3–5 typed pages), in which the student thoroughly evaluates the internship experience, citing its strengths and areas for improvement.

4. An EVALUATION of the student’s internship experience completed by the on-site supervisor. The on-site supervisor's evaluation form (see below) must be returned to the on-campus supervisor.

5. An Internship Site Evaluation completed by the student. Click here to download a copy.

All these materials must be submitted to the Internship Supervisor in charge of the course after the internship is completed.

SITE SUPERVISION
On-site supervisors will be requested to:

1. Fill out and sign the Internship Application & Approval Form, in which the responsibilities of the internship are detailed. Click here to download a copy.

2. Work closely with students on the job and respond to inquiries from faculty supervisors.

3. After the internship has ended, fill out an evaluation of the student’s internship. Click here to download two forms: a Final Internship Evaluation Form and a General Evaluation of Hosting a Rowan Intern. Please send the completed forms to Janice Rowan, Interim Associate Dean, College of Communication, 213 Hawthorn Hall, 201 Mullica Hill Rd., Glassboro, NJ 08009.

EARLY ENROLLMENT
Students wishing to undertake an internship prior to earning 75 credit hours must

1. Submit a written explanation of reasons for early enrollment.

2. Submit a letter of approval from the student’s academic advisor.

3. Submit a letter from a professor in the specialization verifying the student’s preparation for the internship.

4. Send the above to the Internship instructor assigned to the course in which the student will enroll.

For Further Information, contact
Prof. Janice Rowan, Interim Associate Dean
Rowan University
213 Hawthorn Hall, rowan@rowan.edu
856-256-4096