This page explains the eligibility requirements and application process for the Communication Studies internship program. (Click here for coursework requirements and grading information.) This page is designed to answer as many questions as possible, so PLEASE READ IT THOROUGHLY.
If, after reading, you have additional questions, contact the Internship Director, Dr. Edward Lordan, 317 Main Hall, at 610-436-2114 or elordan@wcupa.edu.
This page is organized into the following sections:
- Introduction
- Eligibility
- Internship Period
- Credits
- The Internship Process
- Application Package
- Finding (and Getting) the Right Internship
- Final Approval & Registration
The internship program provides Communication Studies majors with an opportunity to earn credit for qualified, non-classroom experiences related to their major. Internships offer students:
- Professional experience
- Networking opportunities with people in the field
- A significant opportunity to strengthen their resumes
An applicant for Communications Studies internships must:
- Be a declared major in the department
- Have successfully completed COM208 (Public Speaking), COM219 (Communication Theory) and COM224 (Communication Research)
- Have completed 15 or more credits within the major by the start of the internship
- Have a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or better*
- Have a GPA in the major of 3.0 or better*
* Students within 0.2 of the required GPAs may petition for special consideration in their Letter of Intent.
Internships are available in the Spring, Fall or Summer session. Students must register for the internship course (COM 400) before beginning an internship. No internship credit will be awarded retroactively.
Each internship credit requires 40 hours of competent internship experience. Interns may earn 3, 6, 9 or 12 credits per semester and a maximum of 15 internship credits during their undergraduate program.
An internship is a regular university course. That means:
- A fee is charged by the credit hour.
- You sign up for it the same way you would sign up for any other course.
- The internship is graded and, as such, appears on the student’s permanent record.
- The internship may be used as a Communication Studies elective or general elective.
NOTE: Although the internship course number is COM400, an internship does not count as a required upper-level Communication Studies course.
Obtaining an internship with an organization does not mean that you are approved to earn credits for that internship through the university. All internships must be approved by the department internship director prior to signing up for the course.
Internships must be arranged and approved the semester before they begin. (For example, spring internships must be approved the prior fall; summer internships must be arranged in the spring.)
So, if you are considering an internship, schedule a planning meeting as soon as possible with the Internship Director, Dr. Lordan, 317 Main Hall (call 610-436-2114 or send an e-mail to elordan@wcupa.edu).
There are three steps to obtaining an internship:
The Application Package consists of a resume and Letter of Intent, submitted together to the Internship Director. The Letter of Intent should include:
- Name
- Mailing address, email address and phone number
- Year in the program (junior/senior)
- Current cumulative GPA and GPA in the major
- Semester and year you wish to intern
- Number of internship credits you plan to register for
If you have identified an internship position, include the name of the organization and the name and contact information for the Internship Supervisor.
If you have not yet identified an internship, note the area in which you would like to work (for example, advertising or human resources). The next section explains how to find an internship.
STEP 2: FINDING (AND GETTING) THE RIGHT INTERNSHIP
Once you have submitted your Application Package, it’s time to secure the internship.
Internships must be directly applicable to the Communication Studies major and must be approved by the Internship Director before registration.
Finding an Internship
Getting an internship is like getting a job. Many are competitive, so you need to be at your best when you are pursuing one. You also need a backup plan if you don’t get your first choice.
There are several resources for finding internships:
- Consult the Internship Opportunity Books in Main 512.
- Check online for local chapters of professional associations in your area of interest. (For example, you could look at the local area chapters of the Public Relations Society of America, the American Advertising Association, etc.)
- Make an appointment with Dr. Lordan to discuss options.
Internships require a commitment of at least three months, so research each position carefully. Consider:
- The profession in which you would like to work
- Your schedule and availability
- Location
- Organizational culture (small or large, casual or formal, etc.)
Getting the Internship
Once you have identified an internship (and a backup choice), contact Dr. Lordan to review the positions. With his approval, arrange an interview with the Internship Supervisor for your top choice. Then, prepare for this important meeting by learning everything you can about the organization.
On the day of the interview:
- Dress professionally.
- Arrive 15 minutes early.
- Ask questions.
- Follow up with a thank-you note, reiterating your interest in the opportunity.
If you are accepted, request an Acceptance Letter from the Internship Supervisor. Acceptance Letters must be on the organization’s letterhead and must include:
- The name of the department where you will be working
- The internship’s start and end dates
- The internship schedule
- A description of the intern’s duties
- Name and contact information of the Internship Supervisor
The Acceptance Letter must be returned prior to registering for the internship course to:
Dr. Edward Lordan
Internship Director
317 Main Hall
West Chester University
West Chester, Pa. 19383
The intern may hand-deliver this letter, or the Internship Supervisor may mail it. However, the intern is responsible for ensuring that this letter is delivered on time.
NOTE: If you are discussing internships with multiple organizations, you should contact each organization as soon as you have agreed to an internship to let them know that you have accepted a position. When you have agreed to participate in an internship you have made a commitment to that organization. You can not accept another internship and reject one that you have already accepted. You will not be given credit for an internship in one organization if you already accepted an internship at another organization. It is ethical to discuss internships with multiple organizations and work to obtain the internship that best suits your needs, but as soon as you agree to an internship you are making a commitment. Rejecting an internship that you have already agreed to in order to work at one that better suits your needs is not only unethical, it severely reduces the possibility that future WCU students will be able to get offers from the company you rejected.
STEP 3: FINAL APPROVAL AND REGISTRATION
When all materials have been submitted to the Internship Director, he will notify the student by e-mail that the course has been approved for a specific number of credits. The student must then register for the course (COM400) via MyWCU, using the usual registration process. (The course listing is by credit – COM400-03, COM 400-06, etc. Students should sign up for the appropriate course based on the number of credits listed in the e-mail.)
The student will then follow the course requirements and grading information available here.