COLFA Internship Process
Internships are an essential component of a student's college education.
COLFA believes that internships are an essential component of a student’s college education. Internships allow students to obtain work experience, gain knowledge of key operations, explore a chosen career path, improve teamwork and communications skills, and increase marketability and value to employers. View the steps below to learn more about the process!
*PLEASE NOTE: Students pursuing internships for Academic Credit (3 or 6 credit courses) are required to submit forms for processing and registration NO LATER THAN the last day to add a class in ASAP for a given semester. Late forms will not be accepted.
View our Frequently Asked Questions below.
To determine academic prerequisite requirements for a credit-based internship, check the catalog of your major. You may also meet with your academic advisor to verify eligibility for a for-credit internship. If you do not meet requirements for a for-credit internship, you may choose to complete the internship for professional experience (non-credit).
Once you’ve determined your eligibility, utilize Handshake to find internship opportunities that meet your academic and professional goals.
Please review the requirements for the internship opportunity and reach out to the company contact to inquire about the internship. Click here to explore the best methods for reaching out to employers: Internship Email Examples. Also, meet with the UTSA Career Center for cover letter and resume review.
Once your employer has confirmed your internship, please:
For-Credit Internships
- Start the COLFA Internship Application Process.
For-Credit COLFA Internship Application
Non-Credit Internships
- Follow the Non-Credit Internship process to add the Internship to Your UTSA Experiential Transcript
If you are seeking academic credit for your internship, please have your employer complete the Employer Partner Form COLFA Employer Partner Form
NOTE: This form should NOT be completed by you as a student. It is intended to be completed by your internship site as part of the confirmation process for your internship review.
Once all information is complete, a member from the COLFA Student Success Center will review your information and notify you and the academic department that you are eligible for evaluation and potentially registration. Confirm with your academic advisor if you have questions about how an internship course will fit into your degree plan.
Internships are types of jobs connected to a company or organization that is willing to trade on-the-job training for low cost project support in the form of student interns. 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. (NACE)
- Check the University Catalog (undergraduate and graduate) for basic eligibility.
- Check with your department internship coordinator or appropriate faculty to find out what kind of tasks and hours are needed in your internship.
- Submit the paperwork. There is no guarantee prior to evaluation from the department whether or not your internship will count for academic credit.
Potentially. Academic Advisors can help you determine how an internship will fit with other requirements of your degree. NOTE: Advisors cannot approve internships for registration. They only let you know what it means for your progress to degree/graduation.
You are not required to register for academic credit if you have an internship. Very often students complete professional development such as micro-internships without academic credit.
Did you know UTSA has an Experiential Transcript for students who wish to show their experiences outside the classroom? Learn more on the Career-Engaged Learning webpage.
Internship courses require departmental approval and an override to be set in the system. Approval for internships in COLFA is done with the completed paperwork on the COLFA Student Success Center website
We do not offer direct internship placement. COLFA Student Success Center has Peer Educators who can guide you through internship exploration. The Center also offers workshops on finding internships and strategies to make the best impression. The University Career Center offers support through appointments and programs like VMock to ensure your resume is application ready.
No. Internship courses are at the discretion of the department. They do not have the same capacity restrictions as regular classes.
Not at this time. If you would like guidance on career support in that format, we encourage you to reach out the University Career Center and set up an appointment. Their appointments are set through Handshake.
The COLFA Student Success Center does offer workshops on finding internships and how to translate your experiences on to a competitive resume. These are offered at least twice per semester.
Congratulations! This marks an important step in your continued professional development. Your next step is to complete the Academic Credit form in Step 4 and have your supervisor complete the Employer Partner form in Step 5.
Yes! Follow the steps on our COLFA Internship Process and complete the required form(s).
Once your forms are submitted, they are evaluated for accuracy and confirmation from the employer/internship site. If all information on your forms is correct, they are sent to the department of your internship discipline for evaluation and potential approval. You will be included in all email correspondence from COLFA.Internship@utsa.edu related to registration. Processing takes 2-3 weeks.
Students pursuing internships for Academic Credit (3 or 6 credit courses) are required to submit forms for processing and registration NO LATER THAN the last day to add a class in ASAP for a given semester. Late forms will not be accepted.
Times vary. Prior to the start of the semester, it may take 2-3 weeks. As the deadline gets closer, processing times are shorter.
Yes. Although internships are often unpaid, any course that applies to your degree will require tuition according to the credit hour of that course.
As you can imagine, most of the requirements of an internship course will take place at your internship site through the hours you work. Your academic department may require reflections, time sheets, and other confirmations as part of the course requirements of your degree.
Possibly. Each department in the College of Liberal and Fine Arts (COLFA) independently determines whether you get a grade (A, B, C, etc.) or receive Credit / No Credit (CR/NC) for the course. Speak to your department or faculty to determine which is used in your major or minor area.
No. Like any other course at UTSA, you may not receive a grade for a class in a semester in which you do not do the work. Academic Credit requires reflections and other components that coincide with the contact hours of your internship. You must complete the required 150 hours within the scope of the semester of registration.
Did you know UTSA has an Experiential Transcript for students who wish to show their experiences outside the classroom? Learn more on the Career-Engaged Learning webpage.
- If your questions are about your degree, email your Academic Advisor.
- If your questions are about what tasks and responsibilities might count for your internship, email your department's internship coordinator or Undergraduate or Graduate Advisor of Record.
- If your questions are about the forms and processing, email colfa.internship@utsa.edu.
