"An internship is a form of experiential learning that integrates knowledge and theory learned in the classroom with practical application and skills development in a professional setting." —The National Association of Colleges and Employers

Credited Internship Qualifications

MICA students are eligible to receive three studio credits for internships that meet the college's guidelines for approved experience. We encourage all students to pursue internships, though it is not a requirement of all students to register their internships for school credit. Students in Photography, Film & Video, and Product Design and the Curatorial Studies minor are required to complete a for-credit internship as a part of their degree plan. International student on F-1 visas are required to receive school credit for all internships conducted off-campus in the United States. Please review Internships for International Students for more information.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible to complete a credited internship, students must meet the following requirements:

• Are enrolled in a degree program at the time of the internship
• Have completed their Foundation year (at least 27 credits)
• Have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above 
• International students also have specific eligibility requirements.
  Visit Internships for International Students for more information.

What Qualifies an Internship for Credit?

• Your internship must be registered before you begin working. You cannot receive credit retroactively.
• The internship should be in a creative industry that relates to your program of study and professional goals.
• You must be working on-site at an established business or with a professional artist or designer. **UPDATE** Remote internships are now accepted as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Experiences on MICA's campus relating to MICA's routine operations are not eligible, with the exception of internships with Globe Collection & Press.
• The majority of the work should give you a better understanding of the professional practice in your field of interest. Some administrative tasks are necessary, but this should be kept to a minimum.
• You should have a designated supervisor to mentor you throughout the internship. This supervisor should be a trained professional in the area of the internship, and have the time to dedicate to your training. 
• The internship site should not be dependent on the work of the intern.
• A work station should be available to you, including any necessary equipment, software, or technology.
• Unpaid internship experiences must adhere to the factors of the “primary beneficiary test” established by US Department of Labor's Fair Labor Standards Act:

1. The extent to which the intern and the employer clearly understand that there is no expectation of compensation. Any promise of compensation, express or implied, suggests that the intern is an employee and vice versa.
2. The extent to which the internship provides training that would be similar to that which would be given in an educational environment, including the clinical and other hands-on training provided by educational institutions.
3. The extent to which the internship is tied to the intern’s formal education program by integrated coursework or the receipt of academic credit.
4. The extent to which the internship accommodates the intern’s academic commitments by corresponding to the academic calendar.
5. The extent to which the internship’s duration is limited to the period in which the internship provides the intern with beneficial learning.
6. The extent to which the intern’s work complements, rather than displaces, the work of paid employees while providing significant educational benefits to the intern.
7. The extent to which the intern and the employer understand that the internship is conducted without entitlement to a paid job at the conclusion of the internship.

Required Coursework

The course is facilitated online through Canvas. Students will be added to the course once the Internship Learning Agreement has been approved. Students are expected to complete the following in order to pass:

• On-site work, a minimum of 120 hours unpaid or paid
• Midpoint and Final Logs of Hours
• Midpoint and Final Internship Questionnaires
• Midpoint and Final Supervisor Evaluations
• Three Informational Interviews
• Two Discussions on Professional Development-related Topics
• Final Internship Summary
• Final Presentation with Photo Documentation

Registering an Internship for Credit?

Review our How to Register an Internship page for further details.

Internship Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions? Review our Frequently Asked Questions for additional information about MICA's internship policies.