New York City is a leading capital of media, business, arts and culture, where professional paths abound. Are you eager to tap into the career and networking opportunities around you? Are you committed to combining the liberal arts with hands-on experience? NYU is your best resource for taking advantage of the professional opportunities in New York City as a student. The university offers students a host of tools to help discover internship opportunities and secure a position. With the the Liberal Studies fieldwork seminar, you can also earn academic credit for your internship.
Internships
To receive academic credit for an internship, you must enroll in the LS fieldwork seminar, which complements and contextualizes your professional experience at the internship site. The course incorporates academic assignments and industry analysis, as well as classroom discussion and reflection, in tandem with the practical experience gained through the internship.
During the fall and spring semesters, the fieldwork seminar meets on a weekly or biweekly basis with a dedicated instructor. You may, alternatively, pursue credit for a summer internship with a special format. The summer fieldwork seminar is structured more as an individualized experience directed by a faculty member. Internships are approved for 2 credits during the academic semester or 1–2 credits during summer.
For fieldwork seminar guidelines, procedures, and forms, visit the Internship Guidelines page.
LS students have interned at top organizations in many fields, including:
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Who is eligible to do an internship?
Any Liberal Studies student regardless of class status can acquire an internship experience. However, only students in good standing who have reached sophomore status can be approved to receive academic credit.
Where can I complete the internship?
Students attending the Washington Square campus interested in gaining internship experience must secure an opportunity with a site located in New York City.
Can I receive academic credit for an internship?
Yes, though credit is not a requirement for Liberal Studies. Students can receive academic credit for their internship by successfully completing the fieldwork seminar (FWS-UF 201) in tandem with the internship experience. Both the internship and fieldwork seminar must be completed during the same academic term.
How many credits can I receive?
During the fall and spring terms, students receive two (2) credits for successful completion of the fieldwork seminar. This is the standard number of credits for students otherwise taking a full course load (ie, 16 credits). Students taking the fieldwork seminar would therefore be registered for 18 total credits, which is the maximum number allowed within full-time tuition at NYU. Students who might exceed the standard allowance of credits covered with tuition once registered should consult with the internship program advisor in Academic Advising.
Can I get paid for an internship AND receive academic credits?
Yes, you can receive academic credit for an internship that also offers financial compensation for your experience. Financial compensation may include salary or wages, which constitutes a paid internship. In contrast, financial compensation limited to reimbursement only for related expenses such as commuting or meals can often still be considered an unpaid internship.
If your internship is paid and you want to receive academic credit, submit the Internship Agreement (Paid) form. Read the form carefully as it covers important information that you and your internship site must acknowledge before signing and submitting for approval. If either you or your employer need any clarification about the agreement, or if you have questions about which agreement form to use based on the compensation received, contact the internship program advisor for Liberal Studies. Academic credit can only be granted to students who have attained sophomore status in Liberal Studies and upon successful completion of the fieldwork seminar (FWS-UF 201).
Will I have to complete the internship during the same dates as the fieldwork seminar?
Not necessarily. Although internship dates might be scheduled before or after the formal semester dates the general expectation is that students complete the fieldwork seminar while actively interning. The fieldwork seminar is designed to structure your experience with an academic component that is intentional about your professional growth and reflection while ‘on the job’. If the internship site requires students to begin before the start of the academic term in particular, it would certainly be permitted from the perspective of Liberal Studies. If an employer requires proof of enrollment in a credit-based internship program to begin, however, students must have already been approved and registered for the fieldwork seminar to provide verification.
The duration of the internship presumably varies, though students are encouraged to arrange internships at least 10-12 weeks during an academic semester, or at least 6-8 weeks during summer session. If you anticipate an internship experience will either begin late or conclude early, please consult with the internship program advisor in Liberal Studies to discuss your schedule.
What if I don’t want to receive academic credit? How can I still highlight the experience?
Receiving academic credit for an internship is optional for students in Liberal Studies. Those students who decide against credit arrangements are encouraged to add the internship experience to their resumes (any additional proof of experience should be obtained directly from the internship site). An individual employer may nonetheless stipulate that academic credit must be earned in order to participate in the internship. For opportunities that require credit, students should complete the full internship process for approval to receive credit through Liberal Studies.
Can I do an internship while I’m studying abroad?
It depends. Because local laws and protocols vary at each study away site, students should review Study Away Internships for information specific to their destination country. In many (but not all) global sites, students can pursue for-credit or non-credit internship opportunities. Note: For GLS students though, juniors must register in both Experiential Learning I (EXLI-UF 9301 or 3051) during the fall semester and Experiential Learning II (EXLII-UF 9302 or 3052) during the spring semester, and cannot receive credit for their placement through any other internship program.
Liberal Studies encourages students to engage in experiential learning opportunities during their time at NYU. It is important though that you carefully review internship postings before applying. NYU's Wasserman Center for Career Development provides tips on how to screen professional opportunities and guidelines about fraudulent job postings.
Are you a New York City employer interested in offering internship opportunities to Liberal Studies students? Please register for an employer account through the NYU Wasserman Center for Career Development's NYU Handshake. Once registered, you will be able to post your available internships and other positions to generate greater traffic and interest. To create or access an employer account, visit NYU Handshake.
Lilly McClure
LS/Gallatin ’21
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Internship: The Metropolitan Museum of Art
What are your responsibilities? I am an intern in the education department and work mostly with teen programs. This means I work with our high school interns as well as the young people who participate in our public events. I run the @metteens social media accounts which include an equal balance between art history fun facts, memes, and information about events. I help create and facilitate programs like “Career Labs,” “Art Shares,” “Teen Studios,” and most importantly, “Teens Take the Met.” TTTM is the event for the education department. It’s biennial and sees more than 5,000 attendees.
Favorite experience: My favorite part of being an intern at the Met is being able to meet people from all different backgrounds and specialities who all share a love for art. It makes my heart so warm knowing that these people have dedicated their lives to preserving and teaching the importance of art.
What are you most proud of in relation to your internship experience? When I am walking through the galleries with my Met ID and a visitor stops to ask me a question. It’s like a pinch to make sure I am not dreaming.
Advice for future interns: Never doubt yourself and do not be afraid to ask questions. You might think that being independent and self sufficient is impressive to an employer, but they want to help guide you through your internship and be the best resource they can be.