Dean's Internships

SOC recognizes students' excellent performance in prestigious internships from across media industries.

Meaningful Real-World Experience

Our Dean's Internship program offers exceptional School of Communication students the significant opportunity to earn professional recognition for their work. Opportunities are available for our best and brightest students to connect with meaningful real-world assignments that provide recognition and future pathways to jobs.

Dean's Internships are generally open to undergraduate juniors and seniors, graduate students, and recent alumni with a School of Communication major who have an overall GPA of at least 3.25. 

As a Dean's Intern, you become an "external ambassador" who represents the School of Communication, helping to build stronger ties with our host partners. After working part-time during the academic year, Dean's Interns are often invited back by their organizations to work full-time for the summer or after graduation.

Spring Applications Open!

SOC students have access to apply for a wide variety of communication and media internships via Handshake or via direct application with employers/partners. 

Once you have secured and started your internship, we encourage you to apply for consideration for the Dean’s Internship honor. The applications will be adjudicated by a small committee and the Dean. The deadline to apply for Spring 2026 Dean's Internships is Monday, March 23 at 11:59 p.m.

Apply now

Questions?

Spring Application Open!

The deadline to apply to be a Dean's Intern for Spring 2026 is Monday, March 23 at 11:59 p.m.

Apply now

Meet Past Dean's Interns

Get to know some of the students who have been selected as Dean's Interns!

Frequently Asked Questions

All internships offer students the benefits of experiential learning, but Dean's internships are distinguished in the following ways:

  • You apply on your own for internships through an organization's website. If you are hired by a host party and distinguish yourself through your work, you may be invited to join the Dean's Intern program retroactively.
  • Host partners strive to provide Dean's Interns with substantive responsibilities so that they may earn bylines and production credits. Dean's Interns can point to a compelling online portfolio of real-world experience through blogs and feature stories about their work.
  • Dean's Interns are periodically invited to participate in School of Communication VIP receptions, Dean's Advisory Board meetings, and other highly-recognized events.
  • The prestigious achievement of being named a Dean's Intern burnishes a student's reputation, builds a strong personal network of industry contacts, and demonstrates proven professional experience in today's competitive job market.

Each semester, internship positions are posted in the Career Center Handshake website. Employers will make final selections on top candidates that meet the criteria of the host party. After completing the majority of the internship, interns are encouraged to apply separately to the Dean's Internship program. 

Once you have submitted your applications online, you should receive an email confirmation.

Dean's Internships are open to undergraduate juniors and seniors, graduate students, and recent alumni (within one year of graduating) with a School of Communication major or minor who have an overall GPA of at least 3.25. If you are not yet a junior, but will be one when the internship starts, or if you are at least a junior according to credit count, you may apply. We occasionally have opportunities for students who have recently graduated to work in full-time Dean's "externships" for the fall or spring following their graduation. You can also apply from abroad if you're away for the semester for the upcoming round.

Yes. The Dean’s Intern positions offered may change. We generally offer 12 to 15 opportunities however, the number of available internships may fluctuate from one semester to another.

It depends! Usually, internships are posted mid-way through the term prior to the internship (October to November for spring internships, for example). 

No. As with any internship, you need to register for academic credit if your schedule permits it. Some Dean's Internships require academic credit; others do not. If you are interested in a Dean's Internship, you may discuss your credit options with your academic advisor. 

We strongly encourage partnering organizations to pay their interns. Most provide hourly, weekly, or monthly stipends to students, and of course, all offer valuable on-the- job training. We ask that Dean’s Intern employers comply with relevant laws and Department of Labor regulations as outlined through AU’s Career Center.