Q: Are Newhouse students required to do an internship to graduate?
A: Newhouse undergraduate students are not required to do an internship to graduate.  However, Newhouse students can use up to three credits of internship experience to meet graduation elective requirements. 

Newhouse master’s students may need to intern to fulfill their program’s requirements, but many opt to intern outside or in addition to this requirement.

Internships are strongly encouraged and most Newhouse students have at least three internships under their belt before graduating.  

Q: How would I set up an internship program for my company?
A: We recommend you refer to the handbook written by Project ION that walks employers through the process of how to set-up a successful internship program.

Q: Should we offer the internship for college credit?
A: Internships that require college credit costs.  Undergraduate students doing an internship for academic credit pay Syracuse University $966.00 for one credit.  Graduate students pay $1,200 for one credit.

Interning for credit is often an out-of-pocket expense for students, as they must pay tuition on credits earned, though we understand that many employers can only offer internships for academic credit.  We like to encourage employers to consider paying interns (amount is at the discretion of the employer) or providing a stipend at the end of the internship.    

Q: What is a stipend?
A: A stipend is a fixed sum of money paid at the end of the internship to help defray expenses.  The amount of the stipend is at the discretion of the employer. 

Q: If the internship is paid, do we have to offer college credit?
A: No.  You do not have to offer college credit.  Employers can offer college credit as “optional” for the student. 

Q: Can I offer an unpaid Internship?
A: Some companies will offer an internship for academic credit in lieu of compensation.  Companies need to meet the following activities in order to not pay interns, regardless if the internship is for academic credit per the Fair Labor Standards Act:

•  The training, even though it includes actual operation of the facilities of the employer, is similar to that which would be given in a vocational school.
•  The training is for the benefit of the trainee.
•  The trainees do not displace regular employees, but work under close observation.
•  The employer that provides the training derives no immediate advantage from the activities of the trainees and on occasion the employer’s operations may actually be impeded;
•  The trainees are not necessarily entitled to a job at the completion of the training period; and
•  The employer and the trainee understand that the trainees are not entitled to wages for the time spent in training

Q: How many hours can an intern work?
A: If the student is doing the internship for academic credit the student must work a minimum of 45 hours for a one credit internship for the duration of the internship.  However, interns can work as many hours as agreed upon with employer.

Q: If we hire Syracuse University students for an internship, will they be covered under the University insurance?
A: No.  Syracuse University does not provide insurance coverage for students.

Q: If we offer the internship for credit, how do we set it up with the University?
A: Companies will need to contact the Syracuse University Internship Office located in the Center for Career Services, 235 Student Schine Center -- 315-443-3616 or email: careers@syr.edu   or visit its website for more information.

This University Internship Office is not affiliated with the Newhouse Career Development Center though we are happy to publicize your opportunity to students (see next question).  Our office does not register companies or handle internship credit for students.

Q: How can the Newhouse Career Development Center help?
A: We would be happy to get the word out to Newhouse students!  Send us the description with contact information, location and we will post to our student listserv and in the CDC Internship database.   

Q: Our company would like to visit campus.  How do we set that up?
A: The CDC welcomes any company that would like to come to campus and interact with students. You may hold company information sessions, interview students on campus or both. You may also, depending on schedules, present information in classes. The CDC is flexible in setting up campus visits and will help set up an event that will meet your needs as well as those of the students you're trying to reach. All campus visits are free.

To inquire about setting up an employer visit, contact us at nhcdc@syr.edu or call 315-443-3270.

Q: Are there any events my company can attend to promote our internship program?
A: The Newhouse CDC holds an annual Communications Internship Fair in September.  The event is free to employers and is a great way to meet students focused on communications.  To be added to our invite list contact Bridget Lichtinger at belichti@syr.edu