{"id":37048,"date":"2023-09-14T14:06:08","date_gmt":"2023-09-14T18:06:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/?page_id=37048"},"modified":"2026-05-14T11:45:12","modified_gmt":"2026-05-14T15:45:12","slug":"securing-an-internship","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/for-current-students\/career-services\/securing-an-internship\/","title":{"rendered":"All Things Internships"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<aside class=\"wp-block-editorial-aside alignright\">\n<h4>Popular Links<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/for-current-students\/career-services\/securing-an-internship\/fund-your-internship\/\">Fund Your Internship<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/for-current-students\/career-services\/career-guides\/\">Career Guides<\/a>, including a list of where previous students have interned<\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/abroad\/programs\/los-angeles-internship-program\/\">BULA Program<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/forms\/d\/e\/1FAIpQLSfD6L_0h4PpiwamolW3wzZ5cV01IgN2BDD4KbIlsDwSl1LNow\/viewform\">COM Internship Survey\/Evaluation<\/a>   <\/li><\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n\n\n\n<h3>How to Get Units for Your Internship:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you have an internship, decide if you would like the internship to count for academic unit*; if so follow the instructions below based on the department your program is housed in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p> (*Please note, international students MUST get units for the internships in order to be in good standing with their visa.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Students can get units for paid internships. Please see the section below regarding federal laws around unpaid internships. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you need help finding an internship, please utilize COM Career Service&#8217;s offerings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4>Faculty Internship Professors:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Advertising: Janna Greenberg, <a href=\"mailto:jannamg@bu.edu\">jannamg@bu.edu<\/a><\/li><li>Film and Television: Sheila Sitomer, <a href=\"mailto:ssitomer@bu.edu\">ssitomer@bu.edu<\/a><\/li><li>Journalism: Sherrod Blakely, <a href=\"mailto:sherrodb@bu.edu\">sherrodb@bu.edu<\/a><\/li><li>Media Science\/Marketing Communication Research: Dr. Traci Hong, <a href=\"mailto:tjhong@bu.edu\">tjhong@bu.edu<\/a><\/li><li>Public Relations: Laura Hannon, <a href=\"mailto:lahannon@bu.edu\">lahannon@bu.edu<\/a><\/li><li>Emerging Media Studies: *Reach out to your faculty advisor*<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3><strong>The Internship For Credit Process: <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\t<div\n\t\tclass=\"wp-block-bu-collapsible js-wp-block-bu-collapsible is-open icon-style-plus-minus is-style-plain\"\n\t\tstyle=\"\"\n\t\tid=\"bu-collapsible-id-step-0-meet-the-prerequisites-506680ab\"\n\t\tdata-default-open=\"false\"\n\t>\n\t\t<h3 class=\"bu-collapsible-heading\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button class=\"bu-block-collapsible-toggle js-bu-block-collapsible-toggle\" id=\"bu-collapsible-id-step-0-meet-the-prerequisites-506680ab-toggle\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<strong>Step 0: Meet The Prerequisites<\/strong>\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"bu-block-collapsible-content js-bu-block-collapsible-content\" id=\"bu-collapsible-id-step-0-meet-the-prerequisites-506680ab-panel\">\n\t\t\t\n\n<p>See below for information for each department<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\n\n\t<div\n\t\tclass=\"wp-block-bu-collapsible js-wp-block-bu-collapsible is-open icon-style-plus-minus is-style-plain\"\n\t\tstyle=\"\"\n\t\tid=\"bu-collapsible-id-step-1-secure-your-internship-babb2dbb\"\n\t\tdata-default-open=\"false\"\n\t>\n\t\t<h3 class=\"bu-collapsible-heading\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button class=\"bu-block-collapsible-toggle js-bu-block-collapsible-toggle\" id=\"bu-collapsible-id-step-1-secure-your-internship-babb2dbb-toggle\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<strong>Step 1: Secure Your Internship<\/strong>\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"bu-block-collapsible-content js-bu-block-collapsible-content\" id=\"bu-collapsible-id-step-1-secure-your-internship-babb2dbb-panel\">\n\t\t\t\n\n<p>Students are responsible for securing their own internship opportunities.  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/for-current-students\/career-services\/\">COM Career Services<\/a> can help with this process through workshops, appointments,<strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/for-current-students\/career-services\/career-guides\/\">career guides<\/a> (including a list of where previous students have interned<\/strong>), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/for-current-students\/career-services\/https-www-bu-edu-com-for-current-students-career-services-securing-an-internship\/fund-your-internship\/\">internship funding<\/a>, and internship opportunities posted in their newsletter and <a href=\"https:\/\/bu.joinhandshake.com\">Handshake<\/a>. BU maintains a database of job and internship opportunities on <a href=\"https:\/\/bu.joinhandshake.com\/\">Handshake<\/a>. BU\u2019s Center for Career Development also has some <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/careers\/internships-and-jobs\/the-internship-getting-your-feet-wet\/finding-applying-places-to-start\/\">additional helpful advice<\/a> for finding the right internship.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\n\n\t<div\n\t\tclass=\"wp-block-bu-collapsible js-wp-block-bu-collapsible is-open icon-style-plus-minus is-style-plain\"\n\t\tstyle=\"\"\n\t\tid=\"bu-collapsible-id-step-2-fill-out-the-internship-contract-c3a9b39c\"\n\t\tdata-default-open=\"false\"\n\t>\n\t\t<h3 class=\"bu-collapsible-heading\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button class=\"bu-block-collapsible-toggle js-bu-block-collapsible-toggle\" id=\"bu-collapsible-id-step-2-fill-out-the-internship-contract-c3a9b39c-toggle\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<strong><strong>Step 2: Fill Out The Internship Contract<\/strong><\/strong>\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"bu-block-collapsible-content js-bu-block-collapsible-content\" id=\"bu-collapsible-id-step-2-fill-out-the-internship-contract-c3a9b39c-panel\">\n\t\t\t\n\n<p>Once the internship is secured, students must fill out the Internship Contract, available from each department. This contract will be received and reviewed by the Faculty Internship Professors. Your proposed internship supervisor will be contacted for confirmation before the internship is approved.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\n\n\t<div\n\t\tclass=\"wp-block-bu-collapsible js-wp-block-bu-collapsible is-open icon-style-plus-minus is-style-plain\"\n\t\tstyle=\"\"\n\t\tid=\"bu-collapsible-id-step-3-employment-verification-performed-by-internship-professor-3ba094a1\"\n\t\tdata-default-open=\"false\"\n\t>\n\t\t<h3 class=\"bu-collapsible-heading\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button class=\"bu-block-collapsible-toggle js-bu-block-collapsible-toggle\" id=\"bu-collapsible-id-step-3-employment-verification-performed-by-internship-professor-3ba094a1-toggle\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<strong><strong><strong>Step 3: Employment Verification (Performed by Internship Professor)<\/strong><\/strong><span> <\/span><\/strong>\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"bu-block-collapsible-content js-bu-block-collapsible-content\" id=\"bu-collapsible-id-step-3-employment-verification-performed-by-internship-professor-3ba094a1-panel\">\n\t\t\t\n\n<p>Once the contract is received by the Faculty Internship Professors, your Internship Supervisor will be contacted to verify employment.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\n\n\t<div\n\t\tclass=\"wp-block-bu-collapsible js-wp-block-bu-collapsible is-open icon-style-plus-minus is-style-plain\"\n\t\tstyle=\"\"\n\t\tid=\"bu-collapsible-id-step-4-secure-employment-authorization-356c1758\"\n\t\tdata-default-open=\"false\"\n\t>\n\t\t<h3 class=\"bu-collapsible-heading\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button class=\"bu-block-collapsible-toggle js-bu-block-collapsible-toggle\" id=\"bu-collapsible-id-step-4-secure-employment-authorization-356c1758-toggle\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<strong><strong><strong><strong>Step 4: Secure Employment Authorization<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><span> <\/span><\/strong>\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"bu-block-collapsible-content js-bu-block-collapsible-content\" id=\"bu-collapsible-id-step-4-secure-employment-authorization-356c1758-panel\">\n\t\t\t\n\n<p>Once the contract is received by the Faculty Internship Professor, your Internship Supervisor will be contacted to verify employment.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\n\n\t<div\n\t\tclass=\"wp-block-bu-collapsible js-wp-block-bu-collapsible is-open icon-style-plus-minus is-style-plain\"\n\t\tstyle=\"\"\n\t\tid=\"bu-collapsible-id-step-5-register-for-class-automatic-with-approvals-feb2489a\"\n\t\tdata-default-open=\"false\"\n\t>\n\t\t<h3 class=\"bu-collapsible-heading\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button class=\"bu-block-collapsible-toggle js-bu-block-collapsible-toggle\" id=\"bu-collapsible-id-step-5-register-for-class-automatic-with-approvals-feb2489a-toggle\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<strong><strong><strong><strong><strong>Step 5: Register for Class (Automatic With Approvals)<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><span> <\/span><\/strong>\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"bu-block-collapsible-content js-bu-block-collapsible-content\" id=\"bu-collapsible-id-step-5-register-for-class-automatic-with-approvals-feb2489a-panel\">\n\t\t\t\n\n<p>Once the Employment Contract has been reviewed and approved (and, for international students, the CPT Form has been received and signed), the Faculty Internship Professors will inform the department that the student is authorized to be registered for the internship, and the course will be added to your schedule by the department\u2014you do not have to add it yourself.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\n\n\t<div\n\t\tclass=\"wp-block-bu-collapsible js-wp-block-bu-collapsible is-open icon-style-plus-minus is-style-plain\"\n\t\tstyle=\"\"\n\t\tid=\"bu-collapsible-id-step-6-prepare-for-your-internship-218f70ed\"\n\t\tdata-default-open=\"false\"\n\t>\n\t\t<h3 class=\"bu-collapsible-heading\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button class=\"bu-block-collapsible-toggle js-bu-block-collapsible-toggle\" id=\"bu-collapsible-id-step-6-prepare-for-your-internship-218f70ed-toggle\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<strong>Step 6: Prepare For Your Internship<span>  <\/span><\/strong>\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"bu-block-collapsible-content js-bu-block-collapsible-content\" id=\"bu-collapsible-id-step-6-prepare-for-your-internship-218f70ed-panel\">\n\t\t\t\n\n<p>Wikihow has a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Prepare-for-an-Internship\">great article on preparing for your internship<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\n\n\t<div\n\t\tclass=\"wp-block-bu-collapsible js-wp-block-bu-collapsible is-open icon-style-plus-minus is-style-plain\"\n\t\tstyle=\"\"\n\t\tid=\"bu-collapsible-id-step-7-start-your-internship-d4cf574d\"\n\t\tdata-default-open=\"false\"\n\t>\n\t\t<h3 class=\"bu-collapsible-heading\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button class=\"bu-block-collapsible-toggle js-bu-block-collapsible-toggle\" id=\"bu-collapsible-id-step-7-start-your-internship-d4cf574d-toggle\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<strong>Step 7: Start Your Internship <span>  <\/span><\/strong>\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"bu-block-collapsible-content js-bu-block-collapsible-content\" id=\"bu-collapsible-id-step-7-start-your-internship-d4cf574d-panel\">\n\t\t\t\n\n<p>Most internships include a short \u201cgetting-up-to-speed\u201d period in the beginning. Many also include some administrative work, which should be accepted as part of the learning experience. However, if you find yourself with little meaningful work to do or spending most of your time on administrative or clerical tasks, notify your internship coordinator. Please be sure to bring any problems and concerns to their attention as early in the semester as possible, otherwise, we may not have time to address the problem.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\n\n\t<div\n\t\tclass=\"wp-block-bu-collapsible js-wp-block-bu-collapsible is-open icon-style-plus-minus is-style-plain\"\n\t\tstyle=\"\"\n\t\tid=\"bu-collapsible-id-step-8-evaluate-your-internship-466bae9e\"\n\t\tdata-default-open=\"false\"\n\t>\n\t\t<h3 class=\"bu-collapsible-heading\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button class=\"bu-block-collapsible-toggle js-bu-block-collapsible-toggle\" id=\"bu-collapsible-id-step-8-evaluate-your-internship-466bae9e-toggle\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<strong>Step 8: Evaluate Your Internship <span>  <\/span><\/strong>\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"bu-block-collapsible-content js-bu-block-collapsible-content\" id=\"bu-collapsible-id-step-8-evaluate-your-internship-466bae9e-panel\">\n\t\t\t\n\n<p> Please consult your Faculty Internship Professors on this process and <a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/forms\/d\/e\/1FAIpQLSfD6L_0h4PpiwamolW3wzZ5cV01IgN2BDD4KbIlsDwSl1LNow\/viewform\">fill out the internship survey.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\n\n\t<div\n\t\tclass=\"wp-block-bu-collapsible js-wp-block-bu-collapsible is-open icon-style-plus-minus is-style-plain\"\n\t\tstyle=\"\"\n\t\tid=\"bu-collapsible-id-step-9-note-your-grade-9544ba46\"\n\t\tdata-default-open=\"false\"\n\t>\n\t\t<h3 class=\"bu-collapsible-heading\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button class=\"bu-block-collapsible-toggle js-bu-block-collapsible-toggle\" id=\"bu-collapsible-id-step-9-note-your-grade-9544ba46-toggle\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<strong>Step 9: Note Your Grade<\/strong> <strong> <span>  <\/span><\/strong>\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"bu-block-collapsible-content js-bu-block-collapsible-content\" id=\"bu-collapsible-id-step-9-note-your-grade-9544ba46-panel\">\n\t\t\t\n\n<p>Faculty Internship Professors will provide a grade at the end of the semester. <\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3><strong>Undergraduate Students:<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/files\/2026\/01\/CO575-Form-Updated-Version_1.14.26.pdf\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/files\/2026\/01\/CO575-Form-Updated-Version_1.14.26.pdf\">COM CO 575 <\/a>is a zero &#8211; unit professional experience required to be completed at least once by all undergraduate COM major students earning a degree from the College of Communication. COM minors are not eligible. It is also<strong> an inexpensive option for internships that require students to get units during the summer.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The purpose of the requirement is to ensure students engage with the field of professional communication, applying their curricular and extracurricular experience to practice. The COM CO 575 course is repeatable and can be on your academic record for any semester in which you are enrolled at the College of Communication<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Only students enrolled in a College of Communication major are eligible to enroll in COM CO 575.<\/li><li>COM CO 575 can only be registered for during the semester that the approved experience is taking place.<\/li><li>Students who register for COM CO 575 over the summer will be charged a university registration fee. ($60 as of Summer 2024)<\/li><li>Student&#8217;s Faculty Mentor (not departmental faculty internship coordinators) approves COM CO 575 credit.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3><strong>Graduate Student Summer Internship Process: <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>This process applies to graduate students who:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Plan to pursue a summer internship for academic unit<\/li><li>Will enroll in the following fall term<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>This policy does <strong><em>not <\/em><\/strong>apply to students who:<ul><li>Plan to graduate in August (summer graduation) and need academic unit for their internship.<\/li><li>Will be participating in a BU Abroad program.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Summer Internship Course (CO599s):<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>All eligible students will be enrolled in a placeholder course, CO599s, for &#8220;0 units&#8221; during the summer term.<\/li><li>This course serves as a placeholder for a summer internship experience.<\/li><li>A $60 student fee applies to CO599s.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Fall Internship Courses:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Upon receiving approval from their faculty internship advisor, students will be registered in the appropriate internship course for their program:<ul><li>CM809<\/li><li>FT953\/FT954<\/li><li>JO737<\/li><\/ul><\/li><li>These fall internship courses carry academic units and are included in the fall tuition (maximum 18 units).<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Important Notes:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>This process allows graduate students to receive units for their summer internship experience through both the placeholder &#8220;0&#8221; units summer course (CO599s) and the academic unit fall internship course.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Summer Internship<\/strong> <strong>Questions:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Contact Graduate Affairs at <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"mailto:comgrad@bu.edu\" target=\"_blank\">comgrad@bu.edu<\/a> with questions.<\/li><li>All international students must also apply for <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/isso\/employment-internships\/student-off-campus-work-and-training\/curricular-practical-training-cpt-f-1\/\" target=\"_blank\">Curricular Practical Training (CPT)<\/a> through the ISSO before working off campus. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><em>*Please check your student link for your faculty mentor assigned by your department.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3>Information By Department:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\t<div\n\t\tclass=\"wp-block-bu-collapsible js-wp-block-bu-collapsible is-open icon-style-plus-minus is-style-plain\"\n\t\tstyle=\"\"\n\t\tid=\"bu-collapsible-id-film-television-aafc48e4\"\n\t\tdata-default-open=\"false\"\n\t>\n\t\t<h2 class=\"bu-collapsible-heading\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button class=\"bu-block-collapsible-toggle js-bu-block-collapsible-toggle\" id=\"bu-collapsible-id-film-television-aafc48e4-toggle\">\n\t\t\t\t\tFilm &amp; Television\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"bu-block-collapsible-content js-bu-block-collapsible-content\" id=\"bu-collapsible-id-film-television-aafc48e4-panel\">\n\t\t\t\n\n<h4>Undergraduate Students:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Students earning COM CO 575 credit for a Film &amp; TV internship that is not for 2 or 4 units need to fill out the College of Communication <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/files\/2026\/01\/CO575-Form-Updated-Version_1.14.26.pdf\">Professional Experience form<\/a>, have their faculty mentor approve via signature on the form, and submit it to the Film and Television Department (<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"mailto:filmtv@bu.edu\" target=\"_blank\">filmtv@bu.edu<\/a>) by no later than the W drop deadline for the term that the experience is taking place.&nbsp;<\/li><li>If a student would like to earn 2 or 4 units for an internship (Film &amp; TV 493\/494), they will need to email the department faculty internship coordinator (see list above) with information about their internship. She will work with those students throughout the term to ensure they complete all the necessary paperwork for an internship for unit.<\/li><li>The course pre-requisites for COM FT 493\/494, a 2 or 4 credit Film and Television Internship include: COM FT 201, COM FT 310, at least rising junior standing, and a 3.0 or better COM GPA.&nbsp;<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4>Graduate Students:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Graduate students are eligible for FT953\/954 credit (graduate-level internship class)<\/li><li>MFA Screenwriting and MS Media Ventures students will pursue internships through the Boston University Los Angeles program.<\/li><li>MS Television students are required to pursue an internship and can apply to pursue internships through the Boston University Los Angeles program.<\/li><li>International students generally need to complete two full-time semesters before interning off-campus. Contact <a href=\"mailto:isso@bu.edu\">isso@bu.edu<\/a> with more questions.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\n\n\t<div\n\t\tclass=\"wp-block-bu-collapsible js-wp-block-bu-collapsible is-open icon-style-plus-minus is-style-plain\"\n\t\tstyle=\"\"\n\t\tid=\"bu-collapsible-id-mass-communication-advertising-public-relations-ee8cd06d\"\n\t\tdata-default-open=\"false\"\n\t>\n\t\t<h2 class=\"bu-collapsible-heading\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button class=\"bu-block-collapsible-toggle js-bu-block-collapsible-toggle\" id=\"bu-collapsible-id-mass-communication-advertising-public-relations-ee8cd06d-toggle\">\n\t\t\t\t\tMass Communication, Advertising &amp; Public Relations\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"bu-block-collapsible-content js-bu-block-collapsible-content\" id=\"bu-collapsible-id-mass-communication-advertising-public-relations-ee8cd06d-panel\">\n\t\t\t\n\n<h4>Undergraduate Students:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Students earning COM CO 575 unit for an Advertising, Public Relations, or Media Science internship that is not for 2 or 4 units need to fill out the College of Communication <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/files\/2026\/01\/CO575-Form-Updated-Version_1.14.26.pdf\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/files\/2026\/01\/CO575-Form-Updated-Version_1.14.26.pdf\">Professional Experience form<\/a>, have their faculty mentor approve via signature on the form, and submit it to the Mass Communication, Advertising, and Public Relations Department (<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"mailto:mcadvpr@bu.edu\" target=\"_blank\">mcadvpr@bu.edu<\/a>) by no later than the W drop deadline for the term that the experience is taking place.&nbsp;<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>If a student would like to earn 2 or 4 units for an internship (COM CM 471), will need to work with the internship coordinator based on their major and meet some course pre-requisites:&nbsp;<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Advertising \u2013 Janna Greenberg \u2013 COM CM 471, Undergraduate Advertising Internship, Pre-Reqs: COM CM 217, COM CM 331, and at least rising junior standing&nbsp;<\/li><li>Public Relations \u2013 Laura Hannon \u2013 COM CM 471, Undergraduate Public Relations Internship Pre-Reqs: COM CM 215, COM CM 331, and at least rising junior standing&nbsp;<\/li><li>Media Science \u2013 Traci Hong \u2013 COM CM 471, Undergraduate Media Science Internship, Pre-Reqs: COM CM 280, COM CM 331, and at least rising junior standing&nbsp;<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4>Graduate Students:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>If a graduate student wants to get unit for their internship, they apply to take CM 809 (graduate level internship class). This course can be completed for 2 or 4 units and students must receive approval from their program internship coordinator to add the class.<\/li><li>All graduate MS Public Relations students must complete COM CM 580 PRLab&nbsp;<strong>or&nbsp;<\/strong>COM CM 809 Internship (adding up to at least 4 units).<\/li><li>MS Advertising, MS Media Science, and MS Media Science: Marketing Communication Research students can pursue an optional internship. An internship is not required.<\/li><li>Students must complete one term before enrolling in CM 809. International students generally need to complete two full-time terms before interning off-campus. Contact <a href=\"mailto:isso@bu.edu\">isso@bu.edu<\/a> with more questions.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\n\n\t<div\n\t\tclass=\"wp-block-bu-collapsible js-wp-block-bu-collapsible is-open icon-style-plus-minus is-style-plain\"\n\t\tstyle=\"\"\n\t\tid=\"bu-collapsible-id-journalism-0eeee00e\"\n\t\tdata-default-open=\"false\"\n\t>\n\t\t<h2 class=\"bu-collapsible-heading\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button class=\"bu-block-collapsible-toggle js-bu-block-collapsible-toggle\" id=\"bu-collapsible-id-journalism-0eeee00e-toggle\">\n\t\t\t\t\tJournalism\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"bu-block-collapsible-content js-bu-block-collapsible-content\" id=\"bu-collapsible-id-journalism-0eeee00e-panel\">\n\t\t\t\n\n<h4>Undergraduate Students:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Students earning COM CO575 unit for a Journalism internship that is not for 2 or 4 units need to fill out the College of Communication&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/files\/2026\/01\/CO575-Form-Updated-Version_1.14.26.pdf\">Professional Exerience form<\/a>, have their faculty mentor approve via signature on the form, and submit it to the Journalism Department (<a href=\"mailto:jodept@bu.edu\">jodept@bu.edu<\/a>) by no later than the W drop deadline for the term that the experience is taking place.&nbsp;<\/li><li>If a student would like to earn 2 or 4 units for an internship (COM JO 412), they will need to contact Professor Gina Gayle (<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"mailto:ggayle@bu.edu\" target=\"_blank\">ggayle@bu.edu<\/a>) with information about their internship. She will work with those students throughout the semester to ensure they complete all the necessary paperwork for an internship for credit.&nbsp;<\/li><li>The course pre-requisites for COM JO 412, a 2 or 4 units Journalism Internship include: COM JO 200, COM JO 205, and at least rising junior standing.&nbsp;<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4>Graduate Students:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>ALL MS Journalism students are required to pursue an internship or to enroll in the Statehouse class.<\/li><li>Students should fill out the Journalism Internship&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/forms\/d\/1RcPpLbKVGeIrGAmT69zR_f0slFchWF_h_1LViVPf13U\/edit\">Registration form<\/a>, which will then get sent&nbsp;to Professor Gina Gayle (<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"mailto:ggayle@bu.edu\" target=\"_blank\">ggayle@bu.edu<\/a>) to get approval. Please check to ensure you meet the Registrar compliance requirements before submitting the registration form.<\/li><li>If Professor Gina Gayle approves your internship based on the job description,&nbsp; please ask Lena Sheehan, Journalism Department Administrator (<a href=\"mailto:sheehanl@bu.edu\">sheehanl@bu.edu<\/a>), or Lu He (<a href=\"mailto:helu@bu.edu\">helu@bu.edu<\/a>), Assistant Director at the Graduate Affairs office to register you for the JO737 JO internship class.<\/li><li>JO737 is available for 2 or 4 unit courses. (2 units hours = 20 hours or fewer of work per week; 4 unit hours = more than 20 hours of work per week).<\/li><li>International students generally need to complete two full-time terms before interning off-campus. Contact&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:isso@bu.edu\">isso@bu.edu<\/a>&nbsp;with more questions.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\n\n\t<div\n\t\tclass=\"wp-block-bu-collapsible js-wp-block-bu-collapsible is-open icon-style-plus-minus is-style-plain\"\n\t\tstyle=\"\"\n\t\tid=\"bu-collapsible-id-emerging-media-studies-b706a0f6\"\n\t\tdata-default-open=\"false\"\n\t>\n\t\t<h2 class=\"bu-collapsible-heading\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button class=\"bu-block-collapsible-toggle js-bu-block-collapsible-toggle\" id=\"bu-collapsible-id-emerging-media-studies-b706a0f6-toggle\">\n\t\t\t\t\tEmerging Media Studies\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"bu-block-collapsible-content js-bu-block-collapsible-content\" id=\"bu-collapsible-id-emerging-media-studies-b706a0f6-panel\">\n\t\t\t\n\n<p><em>The Emerging Media Studies program Only enrolls graduate students.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>MA Emerging Media Studies students can choose to pursue an optional off-campus internship. While students can apply to pursue an internship during the summer term, most MA students will need to extend their program to pursue an internship in a fourth part-time term. If a student chooses to extend their enrollment, they will incur additional tuition charges.<\/li><li>Professor Chris Wells serves as the internship advisor for all MA Emerging Media Studies students. All students must complete the <a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/forms\/d\/e\/1FAIpQLSc8h7kZmhWhGQYtuX_MfmZrTlXmHCYUz6SdTut4qOK02Op0RA\/viewform\">internship form<\/a> to receive approval from the EMS Division<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\n\n<p>   <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3>International Students: <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>See the ISSO site directly to find <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/isso\/contact\/student-advising\/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>ISSO advisor contact information<\/strong><\/a>.<\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/isso\/employment-internships\/student-off-campus-work-and-training\/curricular-practical-training-cpt-f-1\/\">Review the ISSO website<\/a> before pursuing off-campus employment.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>To become eligible to apply for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) undergraduate &amp; graduate students must be full-time students enrolled for 2 consecutive semesters (one academic year) to earn CPT (Curricular Practical Training) unit. CPT is required for any off-campus employment (paid or unpaid). Students can still receive academic unit for an internship if it is paid or unpaid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>CPT approval requires 7-10 business days to review. Students cannot begin interning off-campus until they receive confirmation from the ISSO.<\/li><li>Undergraduates: CPT is available for 0, 1 , 2, &amp; 4 unit courses.<\/li><li>Graduates: CPT is available for 2 or 4 units courses, depending on whether the internship offer is part-time or full-time.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>To apply for CPT authorization, you must:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Secure an internship offer.<\/li><li>Request to be registered for the internship course through your academic department.<\/li><li>Review the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/isso\/employment-internships\/student-off-campus-work-and-training\/curricular-practical-training-cpt-f-1\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>CPT process<\/strong><\/a>. <\/li><li>Complete CPT request through the <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/isso\/employment-internships\/student-off-campus-work-and-training\/curricular-practical-training-cpt-f-1\/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>ISSO portal<\/strong><\/a>.<\/li><li>Receive approved CPT from the ISSO <em>before <\/em>you begin working off campus.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><em>*If CPT is not an option, you may be eligible for pre-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT). Reach out to ISSO for more information<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3>Unpaid Internship Policy: <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Employers should satisfy the criteria for acceptable unpaid internships as established by the United States Department of Labor (DOL). Employers and organizations offering unpaid internships may post these opportunities in Handshake provided the posting clearly states the internships are unpaid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requires for-profit private sector employers to pay all employees at the rate of not less than current minimum wage. Employers and organizations seeking to post unpaid internships in Handshake must apply the following six criteria when making the determination not to compensate interns:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol><li>The internship, even though it includes actual operation of the facilities of the employer, is similar to training which would be given in an educational environment.<\/li><li>The internship experience is for the benefit of the intern.<\/li><li>The intern does not displace regular employees, but works under close supervision of existing staff.<\/li><li>The employer that provides the training derives no immediate advantage from the activities of the intern; and on occasion, its operations may actually be impeded.<\/li><li>The intern is not necessarily entitled to a job at the conclusion of the internship.<\/li><li>The employer and the intern understand that the intern is not entitled to wages for the time spent in the internship.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Sources: Department of Labor,&nbsp;<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\/\/www.dol.gov\/whd\/regs\/compliance\/whdfs71.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">FLSA Fact Sheet #71 (PDF)<\/a>; NACE (National Association of Colleges and Employers),&nbsp;<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\/\/www.naceweb.org\/connections\/advocacy\/internship_position_paper\/\" target=\"_blank\">Position Statement on U.S. Internships<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-bucom-light-gray-background-color has-background\">Questions? Please reach out to the Career Services Internship Coordinator, Nichelle Cross (<a href=\"mailto:nicross@bu.edu\">nicross@bu.edu<\/a>)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>How to Get Units for Your Internship: Once you have an internship, decide if you would like the internship to&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1654,"featured_media":36893,"parent":27042,"menu_order":4,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_bu_prepress_primary_term":"","_bu_prepress_primary_term_manual":""},"bu-publication":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/37048"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1654"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=37048"}],"version-history":[{"count":49,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/37048\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":46176,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/37048\/revisions\/46176"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/27042"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/36893"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=37048"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"bu-publication","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/bu-publication?post=37048"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}