Internship Policies and Procedures
The University of South Alabama Department of Communication Internship Program provides
the opportunity for students to gain experience in professional settings allowing them to apply
communication skills and knowledge. The department partners with a wide array of local and
national non-profit and profit organizations to fill communication positions in areas of broadcast
journalism, print journalism, advertising, public relations, radio, video production, fundraising,
social media, development, web services, athletic events and other communication positions.
The Professional Studies: Internship (CA 496) course’s purpose is to provide on-the-job
experience for communication students in an area related to the student’s potential career
selection for one to three credit hours. Students should not begin an internship without proper
approval from the internship coordinator.
Internship Policies
1. Students may not register or begin an internship before approval from the internship
coordinator.
2. An internship must be completed with an approved organization.
3. Students may not complete an internship with a family member.
4. Students may not complete an internship in their current place of employment unless
they are (1) formally transferred to another department, (2) the department is under the
direction of a different supervisor, or (3) the internship is directed by a person who is a
professional in their field of study.
5. Students may not interrupt an internship except in an emergency and leave must be
approved by the internship supervisor and coordinator.
Student Eligibility
Students are required to meet the following requirements for eligibility: (1) Hold junior or senior
standing, (2) Have a cumulative 2.5 GPA, (3) Have a cumulative major 2.75 GPA, (4) Approval
from assigned advisor, and (5) Submission of resume and writing and/or creative samples.
Internships are offered in three options: fall semester (August through December), spring
semester (January through May), and summer semester (May through July). Special arrangements
can be made depending on internship requirements.
Students can earn up to six credits of CA 496 with no more than three credits earned in any one
semester. Depending upon the number of credit hours enrolled in, the student is required to
complete the following hours during the fall and spring semester:
1 credit hour = 3 hours worked per week (total 48 hours per semester)
2 credit hours = 7 hours worked per week (total 112 hours per semester)
3 credit hours = 15 hours worked per week (total 240 hours per semester)
During the eight week summer semester, students are required to complete the following hours:
1 credit hour = 6 hours worked per week (total 48 hours per semester)
2 credit hours = 14 hours worked per week (total 112 hours per semester)
3 credit hours = 30 hours worked per week (total 240 hours per semester)
Student Requirements
Throughout the internship, students are required to:
1. Meet with the faculty internship coordinator twice in the semester to discuss their
internship experiences and performance.
2. Meet with the internship supervisor throughout the semester to discuss their internship
experiences and performance.
3. Complete the Weekly Internship Report.
4. Complete the Internship Performance Evaluation.
5. Create and present portfolio packets of their internship work.
6. Write formal thank you notes to internship sponsors.
7. Register for Professional Studies: Internship (CA 496) semester of the internship.
University of South Alabama
Department of
Communication
251-380-2800
251-380-2850 (f)
comm.southalabama.edu/
For all internship questions
and submissions, please
contact:
Megan Sparks
Internship Coordinator
University of South Alabama
Department of
Communication
6021 USA Drive South
EGCB 206
251-380-2807
msparks@southalabama.edu
Rev. 07/15
Student Responsibilities
The internship coordinator works with local and national organizations to place students in an
internship. In turn, the following responsibilities are expected from the students throughout their
internships:
• register for the Professional Studies: Internship (CA 496) once approved.
• act in a professional demeanor. Students are emissaries of the department and university and
are expected to act with maturity and professionalism. Failing to meet professional standards
in appearance, performance and attitude may cost the student the job and result in an “F”
for the course.
• act in a confidential manner. An internship sponsor may handle sensitive and private
accounts on behalf of clients. Students should not share or release sensitive information to
other students, faculty members, family, friends or employers without permission of the
internship sponsor.
• act according to the department of communication’s diversity policy. The department is
committed to preparing students to work in a diverse society. As such, our classes will
include lectures and activities, which promote an awareness of and sensitivity towards
differences of race, ethnicity, national origin, culture, sexual orientation, religion, age and
disabilities. Such an environment will contribute to the growth and development of each
member of the class, because it will encourage students to embrace diversity as a positive
aspect of learning and scholarship.
• act according to the University of South Alabama Student Academic Conduct policy.
Standards of academic conduct are set forth in the Student Academic Conduct Policy. By
registering at the university, you have acknowledged your awareness of the Academic
Conduct Policy, and you are obliged to become familiar with your rights and responsibilities
as defined by the code. Please see The Lowdown for the complete Student Academic
Conduct Policy. Each instance of academic dishonesty will be reported to the chair of the
department. The student involved will receive written notification describing the alleged
violation and the recommended penalty, along with a copy of the policy. If a previous
incident(s) of Academic Misconduct has occurred, an additional or higher level charge
may be brought. The student involved has ten (10) class days from receipt of the written
notification to submit a written response to the instructor and request a conference with the
department chair and the instructor.
By signing below, I agree to the requirements outlined in the Internship Polices and Procedures
document.
Applicant’s signature
Date
Internship Application
The Professional Studies: Internship (CA 496) course’s purpose is to provide on-the-job
experience for communication students at the University of South Alabama in an area related
to the student’s potential career selection. Applicants should meet the following criteria for the
Internship Program: (1) Hold junior or senior standing, (2) Have a cumulative 2.5 GPA, (3) Have
a cumulative major 2.75 GPA, (4) Approval from assigned advisor, and (5) Submission of resume
and writing and/or creative samples.
Students are required to (1) Meet with the faculty internship coordinator to discuss their
internship experiences and performance, (2) Meet with the internship supervisor throughout
the semester to discuss their internship experiences and performance, (3) Complete the Weekly
Internship Report, (4) Complete the Internship Performance Evaluation, (5) Create and present
portfolio packets of their internship work, (6) Write formal thank you notes to the internship
sponsors, and (7) Register for Professional Studies: Internship (CA 496) semester of the internship.
Applicant’s Information
Name
JAG number
Mailing address
City, State, Zip code
Local number
Cellular number
Major track of study
Minor
Anticipated graduation
Credit hours earned
(at end of current semester)
Semester requesting internship
☐ Fall ______________
☐ Spring ______________
☐ Summer* ______________
USA e-mail (@jagmail.southalabama.edu)
Personal e-mail
Advisor
Major GPA
Cumulative GPA
Credit hours (1-3)
☐ 1 credit hour = 3 hours per week (total 48 hours per semester)
☐ 2 credit hours = 7 hours per week (total 112 hours per semester)
☐ 3 credit hours = 15 hours per week (total 240 hours per semester)
Advisor Permission
I have met with my advisee and am aware he or she is applying for an approved internship.
Advisor’s signature
Date
Applicant’s Checklist
Please check the boxes below ensuring all required materials are submitted with application.
☐ Internship Application
☐ Resume
☐ Writing or creative samples
☐ Advisor’s approval
I certify the information is true and complete.
I understand providing the information requested is voluntary and does not guarantee an internship.
Applicant’s signature
University of South Alabama
Department of
Communication
251-380-2800
251-380-2850 (f)
comm.southalabama.edu/
For all internship questions
and submissions, please
contact:
Megan Sparks
Internship Coordinator
University of South Alabama
Department of
Communication
6021 USA Drive South
EGCB 206
251-380-2807
msparks@southalabama.edu
Date
*Due to summer semester lasting eight weeks, the total attained hours per week for each credit hour are doubled.
Rev. 07/15