PR 6923 - Graduate Externship in Public Relations (3) F, SP, SU

An externship is an academically supervised experiential learning activity. Externships are experiential learning opportunities, like internships, provided by partnerships with educational institutions and clients to give students practical experiences in the appropriate professional field by completing specific communication related work external to the workplace or organization (much like an independent “free-lance” contractor would provide professional services or deliverables). The expectation is that the externship will provide a rigorous applied educational experience for the graduate student. Externships are sometimes described as “virtual internships,” because the extern usually works remotely, and is not physically present at the job location. It provides the capacity to gain job experience without the conventional requirement of being physically present in an office on a regular basis. Externships can be arranged with a wide range of clients including local, regional, national and international businesses, not-for-profit organizations, schools, associations, and government agencies. Externships require a minimum of 145 working “learning activity contact hours” on communication professional related tasks, professional and academic supervision and a Reflective Analysis Assignment. Externships may be paid or unpaid. Externships require the approval of the Communication Graduate Program Director.