Earning academic credits toward your graduate degree plan through experiential learning
Did you know that as a graduate student, you have the opportunity to earn academic credits toward your Texas Tech University degree program through hands-on learning experiences?
If you are a current TTU student and this opportunity sounds intriguing to you, you may consider applying to an internship.
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There is not a comprehensive list of internships that count for credit.
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Your advisor will help you decipher if an internship you are looking at is potentially eligible for academic credit through TTU’s internship course (ENGL 5378: Three Credits).
Breaking Down the Process:
Earning Graduate Credit for Internships: The Self-Found Option
- Apply to an internship that intrigues you and that you see as relevant to your career aspirations. Be prepared to explain its relevance to your academic and professional goals.
- Email your advisor about your internship. Explain the following in your message:
- What internship are you planning to take? Provide a description of the position and the expectations regarding your responsibilities. Include how many hours per week you will work.
- Add a link to the internship description and/or a screenshot of the role, if possible.
- Who will you be working for in your internship?
- When will your internship begin and end? (**You must be enrolled in the internship course while you are doing the internship.***)
- How will your internship contribute toward reaching your academic and professional goals?
- Why should you receive academic credit for your internship?
- Your advisor will respond to you regarding the potential for your internship to count for credit. If your advisor approves, you will:
- Reach out to a member of TTU staff who you would be interested in working with on an internship course. Ask if the faculty member would be willing to supervise your internship. In the message, (***copy your advisor on the email***) include the following:
- The information you provided to your advisor via email regarding the internship opportunity.
- A note indicating that you have reached out to your advisor and gained the initial approval to search for a faculty advisor for TTU’s graduate internship course (ENGL 5378).
- If you find a TTU staff member willing to supervise your internship, you will next work with this faculty mentor to create a syllabus for your internship course. The syllabus will likely include the deliverables, learning objectives, schedule, and grading details for the internship course.
- You, your faculty supervisor, and your academic advisor will review and edit the syllabus until you have an agreed-upon, final version.
- Once all three parties sign off on the final version, your advisor will set up your access to sign up for ENGL 5378.
- You will next be able to apply for the ENGL 5378 course permit in TTU’s graduate student SharePoint page.
- Once your permit request is approved, you will be able to sign up for ENGL 5378 in your TTU Dashboard, as you would for any other course.
- Reach out to a member of TTU staff who you would be interested in working with on an internship course. Ask if the faculty member would be willing to supervise your internship. In the message, (***copy your advisor on the email***) include the following:
Earning Graduate Credit for Internships: The Established Internship Option
TTU also offers internships with established organizations in Texas. These internships require an application and review process.
You can contact the Program Directors of Technical Communication to request contacts to reach out to for more information.
You can also get in touch with employers who participate in the annual spring Undergraduate Technical Communication Job Fair.
Key Information (FAQs) About Internship Course Opportunities
Number of Internship Opportunities Available
You can complete numerous internships for credit throughout your TTU graduate education, but the internships must be for different work.
When Internship Opportunities Are Open
You must complete the internship at the same time as you are enrolled in TTU’s internship course.
Types of Internships (Paid Versus Unpaid) That Are Eligible for Credit
An internship can be paid or unpaid to qualify for credit.
Relationship Required Between Internships and Profession/Field of Study
The internship does not have to be in your direct field of study. However, you must be able to explain how the internship coincides with your professional and academic goals.
Submittals Required for TTU Internship Course
You must complete academic deliverables for TTU to have an internship be eligible for academic credit. It will not be sufficient to simply partake in an internship.
Your Role as an Internship Student
It will be your responsibility to work with your internship supervisor, TTU supervisor, and academic advisor throughout the internship term to keep all parties informed, and to ensure that you stay on-track with your syllabus-outlined schedule.
When to Start Planning Your Internship
If you are interested in participating in an internship for academic credit through TTU, begin the process as soon as possible. Advance planning will help it go more smoothly.
Don’t Miss Your Opportunity!
Taking an internship with ENGL 5378 is a great way to gain both graduate academic credit and real-life experience that can provide you with connections to last a lifetime.
Taking internships through TTU and my current employer has allowed me an incredible opportunity to advance my career while earning graduate school credit. I am so glad to have had the opportunity to learn through this course!