- Check Eligibility: To apply for a WRTC internship, you must meet the following requirements:
- WRTC 300 completed
- WRTC 301 completed
- Junior or Senior standing
- Find an Internship: First, consider what kind of experience you would like to have and what might forward your career goals. Most companies are glad to have qualified interns. Sign up for Handshake and visit the University Career Center for help in identifying available internships.
- Contact the Internship Coordinator: Email Dr. Jen Almjeld (almjeljm@jmu.edu) to discuss your plans and find support during your search.
- Submit Paperwork: All required forms are available on this website. Your internship MUST be approved before you may enroll in WRTC 495.
- Enroll in WRTC 495: After your internship is approved, you will receive a permission number so you can register for the fully online course.
All undergraduate students majoring in WRTC must complete an internship as part of their core requirements. After you complete your internship requirement, you will earn three credits in WRTC 495.
The WRTC internship is designed to allow you to incorporate field experience with WRTC coursework, to gain experience in professional spaces, and to apply your written, interpersonal, and public communication skills.
To receive WRTC credit for your internship, you must be enrolled in WRTC 495 while you are working through the required 140 hours. In the class, you will complete reports every two weeks, visit the JMU Career Center, and write a closeout report reflecting on your experience. You will also request an evaluation from your internship supervisor.
You may complete your WRTC internship during the regular academic year or during the summer term. Regular JMU registration dates and deadlines apply.
You can apply for an internship any time after earning 60 credits and completing WRTC 300 and 301, but it's never too early to start looking. We recommend starting your search four to six months before you want to begin your internship. Check out resources on this page and through the University Career Center.
You will look for your own internship experience in much the same way you will seek jobs after graduation. The first step is to think about what kind of experience you want to get out of an internship and where you see yourself in your career after graduation. You might also consider meeting with Dr. Almjeld, visiting the University Career Center, and taking advantage of career fairs and other networking events on campus.
Once you've secured an internship offer, contact Dr. Jen Almjeld (almjeljm@jmu.edu) to gain approval for the internship.
No. When registering for a summer internship, you will be enrolling in a 3-credit summer term course. You will be billed by the University Business Office at the current summer credit hour rate.
Note that you must be enrolled in WRTC 495 at the time of your internship to earn course credit for your internship. You may NOT receive credit after the fact. Be sure to obtain approval and enroll in WRTC 495 before beginning your internship.
You can consult the Cost of Attendance Calculator to see the estimated cost of attendance for your program of study.
