Graduate Internship Program

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Graduate students can hone their professional skills through a 10-week internship while taking a course, concurrently, that combines work and learning. The experience allows them to take advantage of Chicago’s thriving communication industry while working with experienced professionals. While internships are not required at the graduate level, they are incredibly beneficial for exploring academic interests in a professional environment, gaining experience, and positioning oneself for post-graduate success.

Getting Started

Step 1: Request Access to an Online Orientation Session

Once enrolled in the Orientation through D2L, you can participate at your convenience. The Orientation session will provide information on the following:

• How to earn academic credit for one or more internships
• Proven methods to find your ideal internship — or future job — through DePaul-sponsored and external resources (if you do not already have an internship)
• Information about CMN 591
  

Program Requirements

Prior to participating in the Communication Internship Program, students must:

• Complete in the online graduate internship orientation session
• Complete a minimum of two courses in their graduate program
• Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above in their graduate coursework

If you meet the above requirements and already have an internship lined up, please continue to Step 2 as instructed in How to Apply for Internship Credit.

If you meet the above requirements and are still searching for an internship, use the link below to begin browsing for communication-specific internship openings.

Steans Graduate Fellowship

The Harrison I. Steans Graduate Fellowship supports DePaul students enrolled in any graduate degree program. Fellowship projects are designed collaboratively with off-campus organizational partners and focus on social equity. Graduate fellows directly apply their disciplinary knowledge and skills to build capacity within communities to work toward sustainable social, economic, and/or environmental change.  

Fellowship funding can be awarded to support required internships. The fellowship consists of 100 hours per quarter, and fellows receive a stipend of $1,800 per term. During each term of the fellowship, fellows engage in group reflections on their projects with Steans Center staff. Fellows may be able to pursue academic credit for their fellowship projects (see graduate program director). At the completion of the fellowship, fellows submit a summative report illustrating the knowledge and impact resulting from their project. Lastly, fellows present their projects at a public annual symposium.

The deadline to submit proposals for Winter Quarter 2024 fellowships is November 13, 2023. For more information about the program and application instructions, please visit the main Steans Graduate Fellowship page.​

Journalism Internship Scholarship

The Journalism Internship Scholarship provides financial assistance to eligible undergraduate and graduate students pursuing a degree in Journalism. Award amounts vary and are based on fund availability. Students must be working in a quarter-long internship while enrolled in a Communication Internship course to be eligible for consideration.

For More Information

If you have questions about completing the Internship Program, please contact Michael Elias, Director of Internships for the College of Communication, at melias@depaul.edu or by phone at (312)362-7988.

Check out our blog to learn about internship openings and industry events!