Internship Program

Gain valuable career experience in the sports field through student internships. 

Internship Opportunities

Looking to apply to an internship? Review our list of current openings.

Eligibility

Students must be in full-standing status to apply for an internship. Full eligibility requirements are listed in the Internship Handbook (PDF.)

Application Process for Student Interns

Below is a breakdown of the process to apply for an internship. The full application process can be found in the Internship Handbook.

  1. Select a mentor and internship site.
  2. With your mentor, develop a minimum of 5 learning objectives.
  3. Submit the Application for Internship form (Appendix A in the Handbook), mentor’s resume, learning objectives, and any additional information to George Minoso in the Internship Office at [email protected].
  4. A faculty advisor will review and approve your internship site and learning objectives.
  5. Once approved, complete course registration for your internship (SPT 498, SPT 598, or SPT 798.)
  6. Begin logging internship hours.

Mentor Qualifications

Students choose their mentors based on their field of study and interests, but the selection must be approved by the University.

  • Mentors must have a graduate degree plus at least five years’ experience working in the profession.
    • Exceptions can be granted for mentors with extensive professional experience. You must contact the Internship Office ([email protected]) to discuss exceptions for your mentor.
  • Your cannot choose your regular work supervisor to be your mentor.

Internship Handbook

Download the Internship Handbook PDF for full requirements and guidelines.

Completing the Internship

Internships allow you to gain actual, in-the-field training within the sports industry, as well as build your professional network. To complete your internship, you must fulfill the following requirements:

Timing

  • Complete the required number of internship hours within 1 year from the date of registration.

Monthly Requirements

  • Submit monthly reports (33% of grade), which include:
    • Summary of internship activities.
    • Hours accrued.
    • Photograph with your mentor in the first report (action photo preferred.)
  • Your mentor submits:
    • Monthly evaluations of your progress.
    • Confirmation of hours worked.

Final Requirements

  • Submit a 12-20 page final paper in APA format (33% of grade), which includes:
    • Discussion of your internship experience.
    • Explanation of how your learning objectives were achieved.
    • Analysis of how the internship prepared you for future employment.
  • Your mentor submits a final, comprehensive evaluation of your performance (33% of grade).
  • Complete oral interview with faculty advisor (1% of grade.)
  • Complete end-of-course survey.

Grading

Internship grades are recorded as Pass/Fail.

Frequently Asked Questions

Interns are responsible for locating your own internship opportunities. This is much the same as job hunting, i.e., sending out letters and resumes, making calls and “selling” one’s talents to an organization. Tips for finding internships are included in the Internship Handbook. 

The University discourages conducting internships at your current place of employment. 

Contact George Minoso in the Internship Office at [email protected] for assistance finding an internship. 

The internship can be paid or unpaid; it is totally up to the interning organization.

You and your mentor will develop a list of at least five Learning Objectives (job duties) based on the role of the intern within the organization, and what you wish to learn. 

Review page 12 of the Internship Handbook for guidance.

Internships offer on-the-job training in exchange for course credit. They provide valuable real-world work experience and networking opportunities, positioning you for career success after graduation.

As an intern, you’ll work a specified number of hours to achieve Learning Objectives. You and your mentor will track your progress daily, and submit monthly reports to the Internship Office. After you’ve fulfilled your required hours, you’ll write a comprehensive report about your experience, and receive a performance evaluation and interview with the internship advisor.

Interns have one year from the date of registration to complete internship hours. However, the actual duration depends on your schedule. Most students complete their internship in four to eight months.

We discourage students from setting up internships with their current employers. However, we do make exceptions in certain situations. As an intern, you’ll have to prove that your internship duties are separate from your daily work duties. 

You cannot select your supervisor as your mentor.

We strongly encourage all interns to identify mentors that meet the degree requirements listed in the Internship Handbook (page 8.) Some exceptions can be made for mentors with extensive professional experience or notable sports organizations. 

Request an exception to mentor qualifications by contacting George Minoso in the Internship Office at [email protected].

Nearly 60% of University students who completed their internships in the last 12 months reported receiving full-time job offers or significant interest in employment from the organization where they interned.