Internship Opportunities
Junior and senior level students who meet minimum requirements may enroll in semester-long professional internships. Students have interned nationally with CBS News, Entertainment Tonight, ESPN, David Letterman, The Jerry Springer Show, MTV, Disney World and KTLA News in Los Angeles, plus many professional sites within Texas newspapers, advertising agencies, broadcast stations, and production houses. Examples include the Conroe Courier, The Victoria Advocate, Pierpont Public Relations, the Houston Symphony and the Texas State Senate.
- Internship application
- Internship employer application
- Internship employer evaluation
- MCM 498 Syllabus
Career Opportunities
Career opportunities in Mass Communication vary as widely as our internship opportunities. Traditional preparation is for a reporting or editing position with a newspaper, television or radio station, magazine, or professional newsletter. Mass Communication graduates may also develop careers with public relations and advertising agencies, with corporate communication programs, and within government, hospital and other institutional settings. Graduates can affiliate with nonprofit agencies, and some move into sales and other promotional positions. Graduates may also work with training programs and interactive media.
Internship FAQs
How much credit do I receive for an internship?
MCM 498-Professional Internship earns 3 advanced hours of academic credit. There is not a letter grade—the class is credit or no credit. MCM 498 counts as an upper-level elective for MCM majors.
What academic requirements must I meet to do an internship?
You must: A) Be an MCM major, B) have completed 72 hours of coursework by the time you begin the internship (with an overall GPA of at least 2.5), C) have completed 18 hours of MCM courses (with at least a GPA of 2.75 in the major and minor), and D) have a grade of 'B' or better in ENG 164 and 165.
Can I get internship credit for work I've already done?
No, the internship must be approved by the MCM internship coordinator BEFORE work begins and must be supervised during the course of the internship.
Can I get internship credit at the place where I am now working?
Since the goal of an internship is to provide NEW contacts and experience, interns are expected to be in situations where they will learn new skills. With approval, an internship might be undertaken at a current workplace IF the intern will have a new and challenging assignment, perhaps in a different department.
How do I get approval to register for MCM 498?
You must submit the completed internship application (See the MCM website—Internships to download syllabus, application and employer forms.) to the MCM internship coordinator with all required documentation before you will be approved to register for the class. This should be done before the beginning of the semester during which you will be interning. The internship employer must also complete the Employer Form before you can enroll.
GETTING THE INTERNSHIP
Where can I do an internship and how do I find one?
Internships can be with print publications, public relations, marketing or media organizations, as well as with businesses, non-profit groups or government agencies. The MCM internship coordinator can suggest possibilities for internships, but the student is responsible for contacting prospective employers, interviewing and securing the internship.
The company where I want to intern is asking for a letter verifying that I am eligible for academic credit. What should I do?
The MCM internship coordinator for the semester during which you will be interning can provide a letter on official stationery for the prospective intern employer.
Can I do an internship with a SHSU campus organization or office?
Generally, no, since internships are designed to take students out of the academic environment and give them practical experience in a new professional setting.
Can I be paid for the internship/Must I have a paid internship to receive credit?
Internships can be paid or unpaid as long as they meet the university requirements and are approved by the MCM intern coordinator. Many internships are not paid, but the experience they provide is usually invaluable.
DURING THE INTERNSHIP
Do I have to attend internship class sessions at SHSU?
No, you will be in some exciting place doing your internship. BUT, you will be required to A) Keep a journal and log the number of hours you spend in the internship, B) Create a portfolio, C) Submit regular reports to the MCM intern coordinator, and D) Meet with the coordinator at the end of the internship, providing a summary report and a professional portfolio.
Is there a book for the class?
No, but there are materials and writing assignments associated with the class, which will be posted in Blackboard. Be sure to read the syllabus carefully and meet all deadlines for reports and other documentation.
Can I do an internship over the summer and sign up for the class the following fall?
No, you MUST be enrolled in MCM 498 during the internship.
In the summer, the internship class is offered only during Summer II, which is five weeks long. Can I begin my internship at the beginning of the summer and complete it at the end of Summer II?
Yes, that is highly recommended so you will have adequate time to spend in the internship. Make arrangements with the MCM intern coordinator before the end of the spring semester and register for the class by the beginning of Summer I.
How many hours must I spend at the internship?
You must have a minimum of 150 supervised hours in the internship to receive credit. This must be verified by the supervisor at the company where you intern. Most interns spend far more than the minimum hours in the internship.
What if my internship requirements are not completed by the end of the semester/summer?
It is possible for the MCM intern coordinator to enter an "incomplete" at the end of the semester/summer if all requirements have not been fulfilled. It is, however, YOUR responsibility to make sure all paperwork is submitted to the coordinator as soon as possible so the incomplete can be changed to credit.
Who evaluates my work/assigns credit?
The employer completes an evaluation form (See MCM website.) This, in combination with the reports and the end-of-semester meeting with the internship coordinator, determine if the internship experience has earned academic credit.
PLAY IT AGAIN, SAM?
Can I do an internship for credit more than once?
Some students choose to do more than one internship while they are in college, but you can only receive credit for one internship through the Mass Communication Department.
