Internships Course
Participating in Internships
Gaining experience while in college through internships — as well as research, volunteer and service activities — gives students opportunities to apply academic concepts in practice. It also allows the exploration of possible future occupations. The learning and skills acquired in such experiences help students become more competitive candidates in the workplace.
Another benefit is the development and enhancement of transferable skills such as communication, critical thinking, leadership, ethics, social responsibility and teamwork. Students can enroll in one BBS internship course.
Students are responsible for securing their own internships. Students may use different resources to identify potential openings including Handshake through the University Career Center. Career consultants are also available to assist students with implementing an effective job search, including reviewing resumes and LinkedIn profiles, and preparing for interviews.
Classes require students to identify at least three specific learning objectives with their supervisors. The supervisor will sign-off on the Learning Objectives Form with the student. The intent is for students to show that they are learning and applying new things to their current positions for at least 8 hours per week. The employer and organization may require more hours than the minimum.
Students meet individually at least two times during the semester with the instructor to discuss their overall experience and progress towards the learning objectives. The academic assignments include completing two memos on assigned topics, maintaining a weekly journal, and completing a final project. Students and the supervisor both complete evaluations about the overall experience at the end of the semester.
CLDP/CGS/NSC/PSY/4394; SPAU 4396 Field Internship
(3.0 credits, Credit/No Credit)
The Internship Program provides students with opportunities to work in assignments related directly to their fields of study. The experience provides students with the opportunity to apply what they learn in the classroom to practical settings. The primary focus of internships is educational in nature. In addition, students are able to stay in school and possibly earn money to defray college expenses, while clarifying academic interests, and targeting specific job markets. For this course, students intern on a volunteer, unpaid basis in a local setting for a minimum of eight hours per week. In addition to their work in the position, students follow a syllabus, and complete assignments related to their experience.
Contact Mickey Choate at either mickey.choate@utdallas.edu or (972) 883-4270 for additional information on the above course.
Deadline Dates
Please allow sufficient time in advance to apply and interview for internships. Additionally, it takes time to develop the proposed learning objectives with supervisors to have a position approved.
Summer 2025
May 23 is the deadline to be approved for the Internship class for Summer ‘25.
Fall 2025
August 15 is the deadline to be approved for the Internship class for Fall ‘25.
Requirements for BBS Internship Course
- Students must be undergraduate juniors or seniors
- Students must have a minimum GPA of 2.5
- Students must secure their own field placement
- Students must begin working at their placement site during the first week of the term
- There is no retroactive credit awarded
- As representatives of UT Dallas, interns must conduct themselves professionally at all times
Registration in a BBS Internship Course
Students are registered by the instructor after approving the setting, position, and proposed learning objectives. Email an overview of the experience along with the three proposed learning objectives to Mickey Choate at mickey.choate@utdallas.edu to begin the approval process.
