Internship Information
The internship program is designed to give students an opportunity to combine their formal academic preparation with an exposure to the accounting profession. This experience is beneficial to students not only upon graduation but also during the remainder of their time in the MPA program. After an internship, students are more confident in expressing their opinions about the profession and related issues. In addition, the students are more aware of the skills needed to be successful in the accounting profession. *
Three hours of graduate internship credit is granted for the completion of at least 320 hours of work activity that requires regular and rigorous use of knowledge and skills learned in the MPA program. This not only includes internships in public accounting but also internships in all other market sectors that meet this standard, such as financial services, industry, consulting, investment banking, etc. Unless obvious, the determination of whether an internship meets this standard will be made on a case-by-case basis.
Students typically complete an internship in the spring and/or summer semester(s). If a student opts to complete an internship in public accounting during the spring "busy season," he/she can opt to intern for approximately half of the semester and complete two condensed courses in the other half of the semester. This arrangement allows students the opportunity to be enrolled full-time, make significant degree progress, and in most cases, complete an internship without postponing their expected graduation date. If a student opts to intern for an entire academic semester (fall, spring, or summer), his/her graduation date will most likely be postponed.
* Internships are required for integrated MPA students but are an optional component of the traditional MPA curriculum.
Employer Commitments
- Nature and Duration of Employment
The internship must contain a major accounting component requiring supervised professional judgment. The intern must work a minimum of 320 hours. Internships may not be completed for academic credit during a student's final semester.
- Internship Training
An integral part of the internship is the formal training program provided by the sponsoring firm or company.
- Post-Employment Evaluation
The employer provides a brief evaluation of the intern's performance at the conclusion of the internship.
- You will find the internship paperwork for employers here: Internship Guide for Employers
Student Commitments
- Employment Log
The intern keeps a diary of the internship, consisting of a chronological listing of work experiences, formal training, and a description of assignments and tasks performed.
Internship Sample Journal
- Writing Requirement
The intern writes a paper demonstrating the knowledge gained from the internship experience and the ability to integrate that knowledge with the intern's formal education to date.
- Nature of Academic Credit
Internships are evaluated on a credit/no credit basis for three hours of graduate business credit (traditional MPA) or graduate credit (integrated MPA). Academic credit is available for only one internship.
For specific internship details, see the Internship Requirements & Deadlines.
Apply Online Now: Online Internship Application
If you have already applied for an internship,
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CHECK YOUR INTERNSHIP STATUS
Questions about internships should be directed to the Internship Coordinator at: MPAAccountingInternships@mccombs.utexas.edu.
