An internship will allow you to gain workplace experience by applying skills and knowledge you learn in the classroom. An internship also satisfies a requirement for the Technical Communication degree program.
TCOM 4380 (3 credit hours) for 120 work hours
TCOM 4680 (6 credit hours) for 240 work hours
Steps for applying for an internship
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Determine your eligibility for an internship
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Select an appropriate workplace, workload, and activities for your internship
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Complete the Field Experience Application
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Turn in the required paperwork
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Await approval notification
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Enroll in TCOM 4380 or TCOM 4680
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Complete internship responsibilities
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Return the Intern Evaluation Form to the internship coordinator
Determine your eligibility for an internship
As a declared Technical Communication major, you must complete at least 60 credit hours and earn a minimum GPA of 2.0. At least 6 credit hours must have been earned at UHD. You are required to have taken TCOM 3302, TCOM 3318, a Research course (3325, 3338, 4306, or 4323), and a Software course (3328, 3330, 3335, or 4340) prior to beginning your internship. In some instances, you can enroll in a required course and complete an internship during the same semester.
Select an appropriate workplace, workload, and activities for your internship
Your internship must afford you the opportunity to demonstrate and apply the knowledge and skills you have aquired in your TCOM courses.
Can I be an intern in my current place of work?
In certain circumstances, you may do your internship at your current place of employment; however, the internship project may not be the type of work you customarily do for your job. If you work in a bank's Human Resources Department, for example, you may do an internship project in the bank's Marketing Department.
Can I be an intern for my relatives?
An internship that involves your family's business—or, if not your family's business, supervision of you by a relative—is not acceptable and will not be approved.
Expected Workload
TCOM 4380 requires satisfactory completion of at least 120 hours of the agreed upon work of the internship.
TCOM 4680 requires satisfactory completion of at least 240 hours of the agreed upon work of the internship.
Internship Activities
Suitable internship activities
Writing
Editing researching
Designing various kinds of communications ie. newsletters, websites, brochures etc.
Complete the Field Experience Application
Complete the
Field Experience Application form (PDF). You will fill out Part 1 and your internship host should fill out Part 2. Your internship host should provide a detailed report on your internship activities.
Turn in the required paperwork
Submit the Field Experience Application to the internship coordinator along with your resume and a copy of your Degree Evaluation Report
Await approval notification
The internship coordinator will notify you by email of your eligibility to enroll in the course.
Enroll in TCOM 4380 or TCOM 4680
Upon notification from the internship coordinator you may officially enroll in the course.
Complete internship responsibilities
While you are performing your internship duties, you are also required to maintain and submit, on time monthly logs tracking the work performed and hours spent on each project. You are also required to submit a reflective progress report at midterms. After you have completed either 120 or 240 hours, you will write and submit your final report. The final report will include 5-7 documents you worked on as part of the internship as well as the monthly logs documenting that you met the 120 or 240 hour requirement.
Return the Intern Evaluation Form to the internship coordinator
The
Intern Evaluation Form (PDF) should be filled out by your internship supervisor and delivered to the internship coordinator in a signed and sealed envelope by the end of the week of finals. Your grade for the internship will be posted only after the evaluation form is received.
Frequently Asked Questions
What grade do I get for the internship?
Satisfactory completion of the course is signified by a grade of "S." To earn that "S," you must have satisfied the prerequisites, and you must fulfill the work, administrative, and academic/documentation requirements. If you do not complete these tasks within the semester that you registered for the course, you will receive a "U."
The grade of "I" is available only if your inability to complete your hours and academic reports is the responsibility of the internship host. You must complete the delayed work and reports by the end of the next long semester so that the "I" or "U" can be changed to an "S."
What if I cannot complete my internship on time?
If the internship is not completed by the end of the semester, you should notify the internship coordinator well before the final report is due. The grade of "I" (incomplete) is granted only under documented, unusual circumstances.
What if I have a question about my internship?
Discuss any questions you might have about your internship with the internship coordinator,
Dr. Jillian Hill
