All McCombs School of Business undergraduate students are required to successfully complete an internship as part of the BBA degree requirements. Each academic department in the school has its own designated three-hour internship course (ACC 353J, BA 353H, FIN 353, MAN 353, MKT 353, MIS 353, and O M 353). The purpose of the course is to provide you with a format for reflection while you perform a professional internship that enhances your ability to achieve your career objectives.
Resources for Finding an Internship
The BBA Career Services team is dedicated to assisting BBA students in all phases of the internship search, from resume and cover letter writing to suggesting tactics for a successful interview. There are numerous resources to assist you in securing an internship; however, it is ultimately your responsibility to find an internship. For the internship requirement, you must work a minimum of 160 hours over the course of at least 6 weeks.
Once you secure a professional internship, you must apply for course credit using the Internship Tracking System. You must receive approval PRIOR to beginning work. Internships for course credit are approved by your faculty internship coordinator on a case-by-case basis. Credit cannot be given for an internship you have already completed.
Suggestions for Getting Started
- Through workshops, events, specialized programming and career advising, the BBA Career Services team is dedicated to assisting students with all aspects of the internship search. For a list of upcoming workshops and events, refer to BBA Career Services Events, Workshops, and Programs.
- Attend the Undergraduate Career Expo offered each fall and spring semester, as well as other Career Week events to assist you in preparing for an internship experience.
- Utilize and search the On-Campus Recruiting (OCR) system, McCombs Job Board, and Access UT. Refer to the Apply for Positions section of the BBA Career Services website for additional helpful resources.
- Visit the BBA Career Services office in CBA 2.116 during walk-in advising or schedule an appointment with your BBA Career Advisor.
- Use your networking skills to explore possible opportunities. Remember to speak with family, friends, former employers, etc.
If you are experiencing difficulty finding an internship, please
schedule an appointment with your
BBA Career Advisor to discuss options for securing an internship.
Earning Course Credit for an Internship
To ensure that you receive credit for your internship, you must follow the procedures in the order listed.
Step 1: Fulfill the Prerequisites
- Successfully complete 45 hours of college course work.
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Declare a major in the McCombs School of Business.
- Take the internship course at least one semester prior to the semester in which you intend to graduate.
Step 2: Secure a Professional Internship
Step 3: Apply for Course Credit Using the Internship Tracking System
Use the internship tracking system to apply for course credit.
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Spring Internship: Applications for spring semester internships must be submitted by the 10th class day of the spring semester.
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Summer Internship: Applications for summer internships must be submitted by July 1.
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Fall Internship: Applications for fall semester internships must be submitted by the 10th class day of the fall semester.
Step 4: Read Your Email
You will receive an email indicating whether your application was approved or denied. If your application was approved, the email will provide you with registration instructions. If your application was denied, the email will explain the reason for the denial. You may re-apply at any time.
Step 5: Register for the Internship Course
If your application was approved, register for the internship course by the 12th class day of the semester, using the unique number indicated in your approval notice.
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Spring Internship: Students interning during the spring semester will register for spring semester course credit.
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Summer Internship: Students interning during the summer will register for fall semester course credit. Internship courses are not offered during the summer.
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Fall Internship: Students interning during the fall semester will register for fall semester course credit.
Step 6: Attend the Internship Information Session
You will receive an email from your Internship Coordinator with the details.
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Spring Internship: For students interning during the spring, the meeting will occur on or around the 12th class day of the spring semester.
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Summer Internship: For students interning during the summer, the meeting will occur toward the end of the preceding spring semester.
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Fall Internship: For students interning during the fall, the meeting will occur on or around the 12th class day of the fall semester.
Step 7: Perform Your Internship
You must work a minimum of 160 hours over the course of at least 6 weeks. Any hours worked prior to receiving approval of your internship will not count toward fulfilling this requirement. Any hours worked after the due date will not count toward fulfilling this requirement. In other words, you must work at least 160 hours during the 6-week period, starting after the date of your approval email, and ending by the due date. You may work part-time or full-time; both formats are acceptable.
Step 8: Keep a Journal During Your Internship
Your Internship Coordinator will provide you with detailed requirements for writing journal entries.
Step 9: Update Your Supervisor’s Contact Information
To update your supervisor's contact information, login to the Internship Tracking System. If you forget to update the information, you will receive a reminder email approximately three weeks prior to the end of your internship. If you fail to update the information, your supervisor will not receive the Supervisor Survey and you will not earn credit for your internship. Even if the data is correctly listed in the Internship Tracking System, you must still perform the update.
Step 10: Your Supervisor Completes the Supervisor Survey
Two weeks prior to the end of your internship, your supervisor will receive an email asking him or her to complete an online Supervisor Survey. In the survey, your supervisor will indicate the number of weeks and hours that you worked. Remind your supervisor to complete the survey by the due date. You cannot earn course credit without it.
Step 11: Submit Your Journal and Final Paper
Submit your journal and final paper according to the instructions provided by your Internship Coordinator. You are welcome to submit your documents early, but, at a minimum, the documents must be submitted no later than the dates indicated by your Internship Coordinator. For more information on internship course deadlines, refer to the Deadlines tab (on this site) and the BBA Events Calendar.
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Spring Internship: For students interning during the spring semester, the due date is on the Friday three weeks prior to the end of the spring semester.
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Summer Internship: For students interning during the summer, the due date is on the first Friday of the fall semester.
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Fall Internship: For students interning during the fall semester, the due date is on the Friday three weeks prior to the end of the fall semester.
How the Internship Course is Graded
The internship course is graded on a pass/fail basis, based on the successful completion of your internship and submission of the required physical or online documents. Grades will be posted online, along with all of your other course grades, at the end of the semester. A grade of “CR” will be given to those students who fulfill all of the course requirements. A grade of “F” will be given to those students who do not fulfill any or all of the course requirements.
Requirements
- Work Hours: You must work a minimum of 160 hours during the course of at least 6 weeks. Only those weeks and hours which occur after your internship is approved, and by the due date will count toward the course requirements. No credit will be given if you have worked fewer than 6 weeks or fewer than 160 hours by the due date.
- Supervisor Survey: The Supervisor Survey must be completed by your supervisor at or near the end of your internship. To ensure that your supervisor receives the online survey, you must update your supervisor contact information in the Internship Tracking System at least three weeks prior to the end date of your internship.
- Journal: The journal is a record of what you do and learn on the job. Your Internship Coordinator will provide you with detailed requirements for writing journal entries.
- Final Paper: The final paper is designed to help you integrate everything you learn during your internship. It may also provide a document that future interns can examine in order to learn more about the company. Because this information may be seen by others, it is important that you not include any confidential information about the company for whom you are working. Your Internship Coordinator will provide you with detailed requirements.
Deadlines
Submitting an Application for Course Credit
You must
apply for the internship course after you secure a professional internship, but
before you begin working. The deadline to apply for course credit for a summer internship is July 1st. The deadline to apply for course credit for a fall or spring internship is the 10th class day of the semester.
Adding the Course
Once your application is approved, your Internship Coordinator will send you an email with instructions and a unique number. You can then register for the appropriate internship course in the same way you register for other courses. You must add the course no later than the 12th class day of the semester. The course is not automatically added upon approval of your application. If you cannot remember the appropriate unique number, simply refer to the Internship Tracking System to view your approval notice.
Submitting the Journal and Final Paper
Submit your journal and final paper according to the instructions in the syllabus provided by your Internship Coordinator.
- Spring Internship: For students interning during the spring semester, the due date is the Friday three weeks prior to the end of the spring semester.
- Summer Internship: For students interning during the summer, on the due date is the first Friday of the fall semester.
- Fall Internship: For students interning during the fall semester, the due date is the Friday three weeks prior to the end of the fall semester.
Submitting the Supervisor Survey
To ensure that you earn course credit for your internship, your supervisor will be asked to document the dates and hours you worked. This will occur using a secure, online survey. A username and password will be emailed to your supervisor two weeks prior to the end of your internship. If your supervisor does not complete the survey, you will fail the internship course. This is an opportunity for you to learn how to manage the manager!
Your supervisor is provided the opportunity to evaluate your performance on the survey form. However, the evaluation portion of the survey is optional. The Supervisor Survey is due on the same day as the journal and final paper.
Completing Your Internship
You must work a minimum of 160 hours over the course of at least 6 weeks, and must finish accruing your weeks and hours by the same day your journal, final paper, and Supervisor Survey are due. Any hours worked prior to receiving approval of your internship will not count toward fulfilling the requirement. Any hours worked after the due date will not count toward fulfilling the requirement. You are welcome to continue interning after the deadline, but the hours will not be eligible for course credit.
Additional Information for Study Abroad and International Students
Study Abroad Students
If you will be interning during the summer but studying abroad during the fall, there are two extra steps required of you. Other than the two below listed steps, follow the normal summer procedures and deadlines.
1. Application Information
In your application, explain that you will be studying abroad during the fall semester and wish to register for the internship course in the spring.
2. Email Your Internship Coordinator
Prior to spring semester registration, send an email to your Internship Coordinator (refer to the Contact Us tab on this page) and remind him or her that you need to add the internship course to your spring schedule. He or she will authorize you to register for the appropriate spring course.
International Students
If you are an international student and you follow all of the necessary steps to earn course credit for your internship, you may receive F-1 employment authorization (Curricular Practical Training, or CPT) for one internship experience. To apply for Curricular Practical Training, obtain the signature of your academic advisor on the CPT Recommendation Form after receiving approval for your internship. For information about work authorization, please refer to the International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) website or contact ISSS at 512-471-2477.
Alternative Courses
While they are not intended to take the place of a professional internship experience, there are several business practicum courses that will satisfy the internship requirement:
These courses should not be your first choice for fulfilling the internship requirement, as it is not possible to guarantee your admission into any of them. Some practicum courses require an intensive application and interview process, which can take place up to one year in advance of the actual course. Additionally, these courses may not give you the same type of work experience you would get from a professional internship.
If you take one of these alternate courses to satisfy the internship requirement, contact your BBA Academic Advisor to override your degree audit to reflect this substitution. Do not apply for internship course credit (i.e. do not submit an application in the Internship Tracking System).
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my internship have to be a paid position?
No. Your internship can be paid or unpaid. Please refer to the US Department of Labor’s Fact Sheet #71 regarding internship requirements under the Fair Labor Standards Act.
How do I get my internship approved for course credit?
Apply for approval via the Internship Tracking System. You must apply for the internship course after you have secured an internship, but before you begin working.
How do I know if my internship will work for the internship course?
The easiest, and most direct, way is to submit the online application and await the decision. If an internship is appropriate, it will be approved. Contacting your Internship Coordinator before submitting the application simply adds an extra, unnecessary step. Your Internship Coordinator is notified immediately upon submission of your application, and will review your application as soon as possible.
Remember that the internship must meet the minimum requirements, including minimum number of hours and weeks, as listed within this site.
Are there any internships that will not be approved?
Certain types of work experiences are not eligible for course credit, as noted below:
- Self-employment
- Work performed in a student's family-owned or family-managed business
- Remote employment (e.g. situations where the student telecommutes, performs door-to-door sales, or otherwise works away from the supervisor and/or outside a professional business setting)
- Participation in a political campaign or lobbying effort (however, working for a seated public servant is acceptable)
- Training activities (e.g. time spent preparing for insurance and/or securities license exams)
I will be taking more than 17 hours…what do I need to do?
The registration system allows you to register for a maximum of 17 hours in a fall or spring semester, however the McCombs School of Business will increase this number if you need to add an internship course. Contact your BBA Academic Adviser for permission to enroll in more than 17 hours. If you don't know who your academic adviser is, please contact the Undergraduate Program Office at 512-471-0690.
Why can’t I add the course, even though my application was approved?
First, wait a day or two. It may take a bit of time for your UTEID to be entered into the registration system, thereby authorizing you to add the course to your schedule. Second, make sure you are trying to add the section for which you were approved. Only students with approved applications are allowed to add the class. Third, ensure that you are registering for 17 or fewer hours, or have permission to register for more than 17 hours. If you have followed these three steps and still can't register, contact your Internship Coordinator (refer to the Contact Us tab on this page).
My application was denied…what do I do?
If your application for course credit was denied, you will receive an email explaining why it was denied. Please read the email and proceed accordingly. It may be as simple as correcting a typing error and re-submitting your application. However, it may be necessary to secure an entirely different internship. If so, you can submit a new application at any time. If you have questions, contact your Internship Coordinator (refer to the Contact Us tab on this page).
My internship was approved, but I’m not going to do it. What’s next?
If you are not intending to complete an approved internship, be sure to drop the course, and immediately notify your Internship Coordinator (refer to the Contact Us tab on this page). He or she will re-open your old application, enabling you to apply for a new internship.
When does the class meet?
To avoid causing time conflicts when registering for other courses, the internship course has no official day and time associated with it. Students with approved applications will receive an email indicating the date of the required information session--which take place in early May for summer interns, early September for fall interns, and late January for spring interns.
When do I need to turn in my journal and paper?
Submit your journal and final paper according to the instructions in the syllabus provided by your Internship Coordinator.
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Spring Internship: For students interning during the spring semester, the due date is the Friday three weeks prior to the end of the spring semester.
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Summer Internship: For students interning during the summer, on the due date is the first Friday of the fall semester.
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Fall Internship: For students interning during the fall semester, the due date is the Friday three weeks prior to the end of the fall semester.
What is the Supervisor Survey?
To ensure that you earn course credit for your internship, your supervisor will be asked to document the dates and hours you worked. This will occur using a secure, online survey. A username and password will be emailed to your supervisor two weeks prior to the end of your internship. If your supervisor does not complete the survey, you will fail the internship course. This is an opportunity for you to learn how to manage the manager!
Your supervisor is provided the opportunity to evaluate your performance on the survey form. However, the evaluation portion of the survey is optional.
My supervisor never received the email about a survey. What should I do?
If you failed to update your supervisor’s contact information in the Internship Tracking System, the system will not email the Supervisor Survey request to your supervisor, and you will fail the internship course. Even if you know that the supervisor contact information in the system is correct, you must still log in to the Internship Tracking System and update your supervisor’s contact information. If you have issues or questions, contact your Internship Coordinator (refer to the Contact Us tab on this page).
Why haven’t I received any emails?
Be sure that you are checking your email address that is on file with the university. Verify and/or update your email address through UT Direct.
When should I do an internship?
You can complete an internship at any time during your academic career. In fact, the earlier you get started and the more experience you gain, the better. However, you can use only one internship toward the degree requirement. You can only enroll for the internship course once. You should not perform your required internship during your final semester in school.
I changed BBA majors. Do I need to complete another internship?
No; any McCombs internship course can count for any of the undergraduate business majors.
What if I get fired or want to quit?
If you experience any type of problem(s) in your internship or with your employer, please immediately contact Velma Arney, Director of BBA Career Services. Velma can help you understand your options and will assist you with the issue(s). Be aware that quitting an internship without first speaking with BBA Career Services and/or your BBA Academic Adviser can have serious academic consequences.
If you leave your internship, no matter what the reason, notify your Internship Coordinator (refer to the Contact Us tab on this page) so that he or she can re-open your application. This will enable you to apply for a new internship. Depending upon UT’s deadlines for dropping a class, you may or may not be able to drop the internship course. If you do not drop the course, you will fail it.
Help, my employer is doing something illegal or inappropriate! What do I do?
If you have any issues or problems during the course of your internship, please immediately contact Velma Arney, Director of BBA Career Services for assistance. This includes any problem with the internship not meeting number of needed hours and/or weeks. We will work with you and we want you to be in a comfortable/safe work environment.
My company needs a form signed. Who should sign it?
University of Texas at Austin faculty and staff are not able to sign any company forms. Employers are aware of this, and it should not negatively impact your internship. If you need documentation which indicates that you are completing the internship for academic credit, please see below for further information.
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Student Completing Internship for Academic Credit: Undergraduate Program Office (UPO) Academic Advisers have a standard letter. To request the letter, please inquire with your BBA Academic Adviser. Also, please stop by UPO (CBA 2.400) and sign a "Release of Information" letter allowing your adviser to discuss your degree information in the letter. The letter will indicate that the your work experience with the company has been approved for you to satisfy the internship course requirement.
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International Students: International students will need a Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Recommendation Form signed. Please see your Academic Adviser. After verifying that this is your first internship, and that it has been approved for course credit, your Academic Adviser will sign the form and return it to you.
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Company Forms: University staff/faculty are not able to sign any company forms. This includes Internship Coordinators, Academic Advisers, Career Advisers, and other faculty/staff.
Internship Coordinators
Students with questions related to the internship course should contact the Internship Coordinator for their BBA major. Employers with questions about the BBA internship or about recruiting Texas BBA students for an internship within your company, please contact Shannon Hickson.
Additional Internship Contacts