For employers: If you are looking for talented interns, please send your announcement in pdf format to Kate Sweeney and we will share the information with our students on this site. A formal announcement of the position should include (1) a clear description of the intern's responsibilities/duties, (2) a description of the skills the intern will develop and/or acquire, (3) the expected number of hours per week, (4) the length of the internship, and (5) whether the internship is paid or unpaid (if paid, the compensation amount).
For students: Media Studies majors who line up their own internship in a media or communication-related role can turn that experience into academic credit through MDST 3800, Field Experience in Media Studies, a 1-credit, pass/fail course. Kate Sweeney reviews each internship, approves it for credit, and oversees your work throughout the semester. Not sure whether your internship qualifies? Check the eligibility guidelines in the Application section below before you apply.
A list of companies that have offered internships to our students can be found on the Current Internships page.
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Application
Is your internship eligible for MDST 3800 credit?
Before you apply, your internship needs to meet three baseline criteria:
- You secured it yourself
- It's with an organization outside the University of Virginia.
- It relates to the media or communication industry in some way — for example, production companies, news organizations, record labels, publishers, gaming companies, PR agencies, or media/communications/PR functions within organizations in any industry.
Beyond that, eligibility comes down to the nature of your work and the quality of your supervision, not your employer's industry or job title. Review the full Eligibility Checklist for the five questions that determine whether a specific internship qualifies and reach out to Professor Sweeney if you're unsure.
How to apply
1. Complete the Internship Application. It requires both your signature and your internship sponsor's signature.
2. Read the Internship Expectations document, which lays out what you and your sponsor can each expect from the experience.
3. Submit your completed, signed application to Kate Sweeney for approval — before your internship begins. No internship will be counted for credit unless it has been approved in advance.
If a sponsor needs proof of eligibility for academic credit before confirming the internship, an affidavit can be provided on request.
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Enrollment
Once your application has been reviewed and approved by Kate Sweeney, you can enroll in MDST 3800: Field Experience in Media Studies — a 1-credit course, graded pass/fail.
- Add MDST 3800 to your SIS schedule; the instructor will then approve your enrollment.
- Enroll in MDST 3800 during the same semester as your internship — unless the internship takes place over the summer, in which case you may enroll the following fall.
- MDST 3800 does not count toward credit in the Media Studies major.
- As with any University course, no credit is given for an internship that isn't completed, and you're responsible for observing standard add/drop deadlines.
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Requirements
To receive credit for MDST 3800, you'll need to complete the following deliverables and evaluations. Send all deliverables to Kate Sweeney.
Midway Progress Report (400–800 words)
A narrative reflection submitted at the midterm point of the semester (specific date announced each semester) covering the nature of your internship work, the skills and competencies you're developing, and the successes and challenges you've encountered so far. If serious issues come up, they can be addressed in a meeting with you, your sponsor, and Media Studies.
End-of-Semester Career Development Requirement
Due at the end of the semester (specific date announced each semester). Complete one of the following:
- An informational interview with a Virginia Alumni Mentor (via the Career Center's VAM Connection site) or another professional working in a relevant media or communication field, or
- A meeting with a Career Center representative for career-path advising.
Then submit a roughly 600-word write-up: about 400 words summarizing who you met with, what you discussed, and the insights you gained, plus about 200 words outlining your next steps for developing your career path.
Evaluations
- Sponsor Evaluation: Your internship supervisor completes the online Sponsor Evaluation form and emails it to the instructor. It's your responsibility to make sure this gets submitted.
- Student Questionnaire: You complete the two-page online Student Evaluation form and email it to the instructor. This one does not need to be shared with your sponsor.
Failure to submit any of these items on time will result in withheld credit for the internship — the same as for any other coursework.