Send the following application documents to jams-internships@uwm.edu:
-A PDF of your transcript with a current GPA
-A resume listing relevant media experience, work experience and education.
-A 1 to 2-page (double-spaced) essay in which you explain why you want an internship, why you would be a great intern, which JAMS concentration you are in (journalism, advertising, public relations or media studies), why you’d make a good JAMS representative, and discuss your career goals. Indicate which internship credits you are applying for:
JAMS 399 and JAMS 600 give you JAMS credit.
JAMS 289 or JAMS 489 give you College of Letters & Science credits.
(See below for more information on different types of credits.)

For Fall and Spring Semesters, applications are due one week before the official start date of that semester. For Summer, applications are due one week before the first summer session. However, we encourage students to submit their applications earlier; you do not have to wait until the deadline.

2.5 Cumulative or above.

JAMS 399 On-Campus: JAMS Students who want a 399 on-campus internship for credit must have completed the first course in their concentration (JAMS 204, 207, or 262) with a grade of C or better. Students may apply for credit while they are taking the class. A student will not be approved until grades are posted showing they have successfully completed one of these courses with a C or better.
JAMS 600 Off-Campus: JAMS students who want a 600-off campus internship for credit must have completed the second course in their concentration (307, 320 or 562) with a grade of C or better. Students may apply for the credit while they are taking the second course in their concentration. However, students will not receive approval or be allowed to register until grades are posted showing they have successfully completed one of these courses with a C or better. We also strongly recommend that Media Studies students complete one of the 300-level journalism or Ad/PR classes (307 or 320) before doing an off campus internship; however it is not required.

Students in the JAMS major or minor are allowed 6 credits total in these two courses. So, students may do two off-campus internships (6 credits total), two on-campus internships (6 credits total), or one on- and one off-campus internship (6 credits total).

These are College of Letters & Science Internship credits, not JAMS credits; these will not apply toward required credits in the JAMS major or minor. JAMS 289 is for on-campus internships. JAMS 489 is for off-campus internships. We offer these credits on a case-by-case basis. For instance, perhaps a student has taken 6-credits of JAMS 600 and would like to do another internship for credit. The internship coordinator may or may not approve this after assessing the circumstances. Students apply for these credits the same way they apply for JAMS 399 and JAMS 600 and the same requirements for approval apply.

No. Students must find and secure their own internship by contacting businesses, organizations and media communications companies for off-campus internships, or UWM entities for on-campus internships. Companies and organizations decide who to hire. For internship leads, check the JAMS Internship Facebook page. Also check places like Bigshoesnetwork.com and ask professors if they know of any internships being offered or locations that offer opportunities. The broader the search, the better chance of finding the best internship opportunity. The sooner you start looking, the better.

Starting your search two to six months before you want to do an internship is recommended. The longer you wait, the more difficult it often is to find an internship.

Students who have applied for JAMS internship credits will be notified by email from the internship coordinator usually within one week after the application is received.

Students can do it either way. Just don’t miss the application deadline date as it could affect whether internship credit is approved.

Maybe. Contact with the internship coordinator about such cases. We consider things like how long a student has been at an internship already and if job duties have changed or expanded. We may recommend finding a new internship to broaden your experiences. We do not approve internship credit retroactively.

Your application is good for one year, but you must maintain at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA, and resubmit a transcript and communicate with the internship coordinator. Note: You may not begin an internship for credit after the 3rd week of the start of the semester.

The JAMS internship coordinator and JAMS administrator communicate to approved students through email, making a space available on PAWS for approved students to register for the internship section (289, 399, 489, 600) for which you’ve been approved. Until you receive this permission and email, you will not be able to register for a JAMS internship.

Some are and some aren’t paid, but generally more are paid than are not paid. Each student must decide whether they are able to do an internship if it is not paid. If you are taking an unpaid internship, make especially sure you will be receiving excellent experience and materials for your portfolio in exchange for your service. The JAMS department encourages employers who hire our interns to offer some sort of hourly compensation or a stipend when the internship is complete. However, it is the prerogative of the employer whether or not to pay its interns.

The JAMS Department internship standards match the College of Letters and Science requirement that ‘Students earn one academic credit per 40 hours of internship placement. A three ­credit internship, therefore, requires the student to complete at least 120 hours.’
For JAMS 399 and JAMS 600: These courses are fixed at 3-credits, so during fall and spring, students should average about 8 hours per week or the total 120 hours total for the semester. For summer, students should average about 10 hours per week or the total 120 hours for the semester.
For JAMS 289 and JAMS 489: These courses are variable between 1-6 credits, depending on how many hours you will be working at your internship site. This should be discussed with your internship supervisor. You will be approved for a specific number of credits.
40 hours/semester =1 credit
80 hours/semester = 2 credits
120 hours/semester = 3 credits
160 hours/semester = 4 credits
200 hours/semester = 5 credits
240 hours/semester = 6 credits

Absolutely! You can do internships that are not for credit. The important thing is that you get at least one internship (the more internships the better) while you are a student to help you land a job in the industry when you graduate. Students who have two or more internships usually find employment more easily than student who do not.

The internship coordinator and the committee are here to advise and help students with internships. Students should first use their problem-solving and critical thinking skills to try to work things out themselves. Talk to your supervisor or other co-workers. If a student tries to resolve issues and is still experiencing something that is affecting the quality of the internship in any way, then they should contact the internship coordinator and ask for guidance or help.

Yes. Internship coordinators will assign a variety of assignments, most to help assess how your internship is progressing, and to help you think critically and analytically about your experience. These assignments are at the discretion of the JAMS internship coordinator. Students will also be asked to acquire formal feedback / evaluations from their direct supervisors that will be shared with the internship coordinator and may be shared the internship committee. All of these elements will apply toward the intern’s grade. See the course syllabus and Canvas page for assignment details, supervisor evaluations and due dates.