Internship Program Policies

1. In the Department of Mass Communications, credit may be given for internships only if students are enrolled in either MC 481, Internship/Senior Assignment or MC 482, Internship. Requirements for MC 442, Special Studies in Visual Communication, MC 491, Advanced Practices, MC 495, Readings in Mass Media, and MC 499, Independent Study, may not be satisfied by the completion of an internship. Students wishing to enroll in MC 442, MC 491, MC 495, or MC 499 must first complete an Independent Study Contract form, and have it signed by the faculty member who will supervise the study, prior to enrolling in the course.

2. Beginning in the Fall of 1999, when the next SIUE catalog is published, the second internship course, MC 482, may not be used to satisfy one of the two elective course requirements in the 1997-99 or any later catalog.

3. A student must have achieved senior standing to begin an internship. However, a student who is not yet a senior but will become a senior the following semester may pre-register for these courses.

4. Mass Comm. majors whose catalog of graduation is the 1997-99 catalog or later are required to complete MC 481, Internship/Senior Assignment. However, in the 1999 catalog, the title of the course is changed to MC 481, Internship/Senior Portfolio. The senior portfolio requirements of MC 481 are satisfied by presenting the internship coordinator with a portfolio of copy, resume tapes and/or other media products produced while on the internship and in courses and part-time media jobs while studying for a Mass Communications degree. The content of the portfolio will be judged by a committee of Mass Comm. Faculty. To satisfactorily complete MC 481, students must earn a minimum score of 70 on the Senior Portfolio. Students should show the content of this portfolio to the internship coordinator at least a month prior to submission to assure that it is satisfactory.

5. Minimum time on the job at the internship site for a three-credit internship is 15 hours per week, or a total of 225 hours for a 15-week semester. However, many intern supervisors require more hours -- up to and exceeding 40 hours. Students should ascertain the amount of hours required, the days and times required and any other requirements before or during the interview process with the on-site supervisor. If 40 hours are required (600 hours total for the semester), students may enroll in MC 482, Internship, to earn an additional three credits.

However, please note that MC 482 cannot be used to satisfy one of the department's major elective requirements. Students are responsible for negotiating their own days and working hours, providing they meet the minimum amount of time noted above. It is suggested that students not be "clock-watchers," adhering too rigidly to their agreed-upon hours. Interns willing to work overtime, who volunteer for extra hours and extra jobs often earn themselves the top grades and, occasionally, their first jobs.