Internships allow students the opportunity to gain valuable work experience and to enhance their collegiate education.  The Department of Philosophy encourages majors and minors to complete an internship prior to graduation.  Students who choose an internship that allows them to apply and develop their philosophical skills and knowledge can receive 3 hours of philosophy credit if they meet the eligibility and course requirements noted below.

Internship Application

PHILOSOPHY 4960:  Internship

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course allows majors and minors to apply and improve their philosophical skills outside the classroom, while also developing further career competencies in a professional work environment.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

• Minimum 2.5 GPA.
  • Philosophy Major (or Minor in either Philosophy or Law and Ethics).
  • 9 credit hours earned in PHIL courses.
  • A student must have the internship during the time he/she is enrolled in the internship course. (Students cannot receive credit for an internship completed prior to the semester in which they enroll in the internship course.)
  • Acceptance letter from the internship provider with a description of the internship duties.
  • Interview with and approval of Philosophy Internship Advisor.
  • Agreement of a philosophy faculty member to supervise the course.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

• Completion of at least 140 hours of work at internship
• Meetings – students will meet three times with their faculty supervisor during the semester (beginning, mid-point, end). The purpose of each meeting is detailed in the course syllabus.
• Readings – With guidance from their supervisor, students will generate a reading list of philosophical sources (books, articles) directly related to the internship.
• Written Assignments – In addition to the reading list, there will be three short writing assignments (3–5 pages each). For details, see the course syllabus. At the supervisor’s discretion, one of the writing assignments may be replaced by an alternative means of demonstrating the student’s career readiness (e.g., a video presentation or website or the like). Once approved by the supervisor, at least two of the three assignments should be posted as “artifacts” on Portfolium at the end of the semester.

WEIGHT OF ASSIGNMENTS

25% = Meetings (attendance, preparedness, engagement in discussion, quality of reading list)

75% = Three Written Assignments (25% each)

FINDING AN INTERNSHIP

The Philosophy Department does not arrange internships for students; students must find their own internships.  Interested students should speak with the Department’s Internship Advisor for information about where to begin looking for an internship and should go to GSU’s University Career Services for numerous resources on finding an internship.  Students should begin looking for an internship several months prior to their desired start date.

QUESTIONS

Contact the Philosophy Internship Advisor, Dr. Christie Hartley.  Email her at [email protected].