Academic Internships

Assumption College recognizes the wisdom and utility of encouraging internships and practical in a variety of fields that are academically valid, beneficial, and feasible. The heart of an internship (unlike an independent study) is the student's work experience, coupled with an academic component which usually consists of a reflective journal, readings in the field, and a comprehensive research paper. In recent years, students have undertaken internships with state representatives; in museum and archival work; in radio, television, and newspapers; in banking, public relations, personnel work, and labor-management relations; and with dentists and physicians. Students can also look forward to the prospect of working at such places as the University of Massachusetts Medical School, the John F. Kennedy Library, Old Sturbridge Village, and many other significant internship sites. Opportunities also exist for students to do internships in Washington, D.C., as well as in a number of international settings. Interested students should contact the Dean of Studies.

The primary responsibility for designing an internship project rests with the student who may propose a plan or choose one already in existence. Internship guidelines and application forms are available in the Office of the Dean of Studies. (Descriptions of existing internships are available in the Office of Career Services.) The student should approach a faculty member with the internship's description, and once the faculty member agrees to act as a sponsor, a proposal is submitted to the Dean of Studies. The deadline dates for submitting proposals are distributed to students' by e-mail or to students' mailboxes at the beginning of the school year, and are also placed in registration packets and posted in the Office of the Dean of Studies, located in Alumni 026.

The student must be in good academic standing (2.8 GPA) and must have the academic background and talent to work effectively on the internship. An internship project, in most instances, carries three academic credits. The student and faculty-sponsor propose the amount of credit they believe appropriate to the project. The Dean of Studies must approve the internship's proposal prior to the start of that internship. Final approval by the Dean at the conclusion of the internship is required before the internship is recorded on the student's transcript. A student may complete only one internship, unless otherwise noted by major. There is no limit, however, on the number of proposals the student may draft and submit.