Earning Credit for an Internship
In the School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning, students can earn credit for doing an internship by enrolling in GCU, GPH or PUP 484, or GCU, GPH or PUP 584. Graduate students should discuss the 500-level classes with their advisors.
Earning credit in a 400-level class involves:
- Carrying out an internship in a professional setting
- An ASU-based component involving several class meetings and written assignments.
What makes an experience qualify as an internship?
An experience qualifies as an internship if the student's work allows him/her to participate in geographic or planning activities, carried out in a professional setting, under the guidance of a mentor there. In addition, the intern's work should be a meaningful contribution to the agency, organization or company.
For examples of work suitable for a for-credit internship, see the Internship Overview (Adobe Acrobat PDF document).
Do GCU, GPH and PUP count towards graduation requirements?
For undergraduate students, an internship course generally counts towards a Geography or Planning major as an upper-division elective, or towards the general upper-division credit requirement. For Planning students, a maximum of 3 credits count as elective credit in Planning. Check with your advisor to be sure these guidelines apply to your specific program of study.
For graduate students in Planning, up to three credits count as elective credit in Planning. Graduate students in Geography should check with their advisor about how an internship course would fit into their program of study.
Where do I find an internship?
Some agencies, organizations and companies work directly with the School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning to recruit interns. These positions are listed on our jobs/internships web page.
In addition, many students arrange internships independently. To inform a potential intern mentor about what’s expected of a for-credit internship, you may want to give him or her the Internship Overview document (PDF).
How many hours do I need to work at my internship site in order to earn credit?
Before beginning an internship, you should commit to the total hours you will work. You will earn credit based on total hours worked, as follows:
| Credits | Fall and Spring Semesters | Summer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total hours worked | Approximate hours per week | Total hours worked | |
| 2 | 100 | 7 | 120 |
| 3 | 140 | 10 | 160 |
| Higher credit amounts available for GCU and GH courses only (not PUP): | |||
| 4 | 180 | 13 | 200 |
| 5 | 220 | 16 | 240 |
| 6 | 260 | 19 | 280 |
| These hourly requirements are in effect beginning Fall 2009. | |||
How are the internship classes graded?
The internship class is graded on a pass-fail basis. A "Pass" is based on:
- A mentor evaluation and completed work log (see Internship Overview for details)
- Participation in five to six class sessions
- A final paper and several written exercises
In the summer, students may choose to work additional hours (as shown on the chart above) in lieu of the class sessions.
How do I register for the internship classes?
After you’ve found an internship, complete a Letter of Intent and Contract (MS Word document), and have it signed by your internship supervisor. Send or bring it to Barbara Trapido-Lurie (see contact information below). She will let you know if any additional information is needed, and then will guide the proposal through the process that will allow you to register.
Who should I contact for more information about geography and planning internships?
Barbara Trapido-Lurie
Phone: (480) 965-7449
Fax: (480) 965-8313
Email: btl@asu.edu
Office: COOR 5566