COMS 499: Communication Internship
Prerequisites: COMS 130, COMS 230, COMS 235, or permission of the instructor; 75 hours of college credit completed, and in good academic standing with a minimum of 2.0 in the major. The instructor must approve a written internship proposal, and a signed formal agreement with the internship site supervisor must be on file in the Registrar’s Office and in the School of Communication.
Credit Hours: (1-6)
The internship is a capstone experience in which students apply knowledge and skills learned in the classroom under the supervision of a communication professional in an approved organization. Applications and policy statements are available from the instructor and on the School of Communication website. Students must consult with their academic adviser before applying and interviewing for internships, obtain School approval, and meet application deadlines.
Detailed description of Content of Course
This course is designed to provide a working/learning experience in which advanced undergraduate students can apply the knowledge and skills gained in traditional course work in any number of working situations. Students are employed for varying periods of time by internship agencies, and evaluated by agency supervisors and a supervising professor at the mid point and termination of the period. Hours of credit are determined by the nature of the job and by hours worked.
Internships allow students who are still in college, to work with professional media, such as newspapers, multimedia, cable television, advertising agencies, and radio and TV stations. Students normally work for little or no money in exchange for experience and academic credit. The experience lets you build your portfolio and resume while developing professional contacts. The content of each internship varies greatly, depending upon the student's interest and corporate needs.
Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
Students work for the internship agencies with duties having been agreed upon before commencement of the internship.
Internships are supervised by the agency internship supervisor at the site where the student is conducting his or her internship. There is also an "Internship Professor" in the Media Studies Department. This full-time faculty member is responsible for keeping in touch with the intern and is available to help the intern resolve any problems that may occur during the internship.
Goals and Objective of the Course
1. Provide students with a working experience relevant to their course of study
2. Help students establish contacts in the working world
3. To provide hands-on experience for advanced students
4. To prepare students for real world working environments
5. To introduce students to future employers in managerial positions
6. To provide outside evaluation of students' performances by media professionals.
7. To develop portfolios of students' work in preparation for job searches.
Assessment Measures
Students provide a working diary to assess the quality of their experience and are evaluated at mid point and termination by faculty and agency supervisors.
Internships are graded on a pass/fail basis. This grade is determined through midterm and final evaluations by the student and the student's supervisor. These evaluations are sent directly to the student's "Internship Professor," who is responsible for assigning a grade upon completion of the internship. Some areas that are evaluated by the "Agency Internship Supervisor" include, but are not limited to: dependability, accuracy, creativity, imitative, communication skills, professional skills, self-confidence, emotional stability, pride in work, speed, and overall performance.
Other Course Information
Review and Approval
DATE ACTION REVIEWED BY
Bill Kennan, Chair September 2001
Revised 4/16/09