As an intern sponsor, what is expected of my business?
What is requried of a course-credit intern?
When an intern request is received, the intern opportunity is?
Can I have more than one intern at a time?
Can an intern work for more than one semester?
Are there any legal issues that you know of concerning internships?
Who do I contact with a concern, complaint or compliment?
An internship (or practicum) is an out-of-classroom work experience in a student's academic major in a place of business.
Students who are mass communication majors, with emphasis in one or more of the following areas:
Brand Communications/Advertising
General Journalism
Photography
Public relations
Students working for course credit must
be a junior or senior, with a major in some aspect of mass communication.
have at least two required courses in their major area of emphasis.
have a 2.5 GPA in his/her major or journalism coursework.
have completed at least 15 credit hours at UCO.
Students working for course credit are NOT permitted to:
work for a family member, unless prior approval is granted through the internship coordinator. No family member can supervise a relative.
gain internship credit at a place of business where they are currently employed.
The on-site supervisor is expected to meet the following criteria
plan to use an intern in a capacity that will enhance the intern's education, by allowing the intern to practice his/her skills in a work environment.
provide regular supervision of the intern by giving on-the-spot critiques, constructive criticism and professional counsel, as appropriate to the duties assigned the intern.
as time passes provide progressively more challenging work opportunities for the student so that the intern experience will continue to be a learning opportunity.
provide an interim evaluation of the intern's performance midway through the period of internship (fall and spring semesters only). The evaluation form is provided by the Department of Mass Communication and a sample can be obtained by clicking here. Evaluations constitute a major role in assigning a letter grade.
provide a final evaluation of the intern's performance for the entire internship period.
What is required of a course-credit intern?
Students must complete 60 hours of work on-the-job for every course credit hour earned. To determine how many hours of credit can be earned, use one of the following formulas:
(hours per week x number of weeks) = total hours ÷ 80 for number of credits possible or 5 hours per week for 16 weeks = 1 credit hour
Students are also required to complete two portfolio items during their internship as well as a 3-5 page typed paper summarizing the intern experience.
The majority of interns are not paid. UCO does allow course-credit interns to be paid, providing they have not worked in the current position for the current supervisor for more than three months.
Professor Kelsey is available by phone at (405) 974-5914. She teaches a full load of classes and may not be immediately available to handle your request. Leave a message and she will return your call.
in journalism department classes
on department bulletin boards
the Intern Resource Notebook (5 copies of the position description) for use by potential interns. Intern positions remain in this Intern Resource Notebook until the sponsor or business asks that their name be removed from the intern resource book. Full job-description and information provided by the intern sponsor will be provided in the Intern Resource notebook.
through direct contact with Professor Kelsey.
Resources do not permit us to post new opportunities on our web site at this time.
Any junior or senior majoring in the mass communication field with an emphasis in public relations, advertising, general journalism or photography who maintains a 2.5 or better GPA in their major can become an intern. Interns must have taken two required courses in their major (or may be taken concurrently with permission).
In addition, a mass communication minor who meets criteria may be permitted to intern. A sophomore may be allowed to intern when course work, grade point, maturity and initiative dictate.
Check with your Human Resources Department or legal counsel on this matter.
The intern coordinator, Jill Kelsey, at 974-5914 or jkelsey@uco.edu
Broadcast specific internships, contact Dr. Keith Swezey, 974-2792 or kswezey@uco.edu