An internship is an excellent opportunity to test out a potential future career while expanding areas of academic interest. Students in an internship gain valuable experience while earning elective credit toward completion of their degree. The goal of an internship is to apply the knowledge learned in the classroom to real employment situations. The internship relationship is a shared one where the site supervisor shares knowledge and experience with the intern and the student contributes a new and enthusiastic perspective to the organization.
An internship may be taken during any semester (fall, spring, summer) for 1-6 semester hours of credit and is evaluated on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory grading basis. Internships are generally completed during the regular semester dates, but may be shorter or longer in duration.
Students registered for the internship class are required to complete 45 work hours for each credit hour registered. A standard three-credit hour class requires 135 hours over the course of the semester, which is usually distributed over the number of weeks in the term. In addition to on-site work hours, students will also have the opportunity to receive feedback and mentoring through discussions, writing assignments, and one-on-one instructor interaction.
Internship Eligibility Criteria
In order to be considered for enrollment in an internship, students must meet the following criteria:
Undergraduate Students (LIS 4940 Internship in Information Technology)
- Cumulative undergraduate FSU grade point average of 2.0 or higher
- Approval of the Internship Coordinator
Graduate Students (LIS 5945 Internship)
- Cumulative graduate FSU grade point average of 3.0 or higher
- Approval of the Internship Coordinator
Locate – Apply – Register
1. Locate an internship.
Students may locate an internship on their own or may use the following resources to search for opportunities:
2. Apply
Submit the online Internship Application prior to the first day of the semester in which you plan to enroll. Applications will be reviewed by the Internship Coordinator and students will be notified whether or not the internship experience is approved.
International Students on an F-1 Visa must also apply for Curricular Practical Training approval through the Center for Global Engagement once the internship has been approved by the School of Information Internship Coordinator.
3. Register
If the Internship Coordinator approves the internship application, iSchool Student Services will process the course registration before the end of the drop/add period for the semester in which the internship is requested.
If you have questions about internships, contact School of Information Experiential Learning Coordinator:
J. Barnes-Mitchell
Phone: 850-644-2081
Email: jmitchell4@fsu.edu