FMST Internship Protocol

FMST will consider giving academic credit for external internships in film and media studies for majors and minors (or prospective majors and minors) if the following criteria are met:

RULES

  1. Over four years, two internships not to exceed a maximum total of 2 credits (credit only) can be applied to the major/minor.
  2. Internship credits applied to the major/minor count as part of the maximum number of 2 transfer credits (from OCS/GEO).
  3. Internship credits applied to the major/minor count as part of the 5 elective courses outside of the required core FMST curriculum.
  4. Students need to provide all documentation outlined below, so that FMST can vet the company/organization and advertised tasks.
  5. The internship (half or full credit) must not interfere with academic scheduling at Swarthmore. 

CREDIT ESTIMATES

0.5 Credit Criteria

  • 3-5 hours/week for 12 weeks or 36-60 hours over the course of a more limited time period

1.0 Credit Criteria

  • 6-10 hours/week for 12 weeks or 72-120 hours over the course of a more limited time period 

STUDENTS

Please read through this required protocol if you are interested in pursuing an internship for credit during your study at Swarthmore. If the internship is unpaid, make sure you have enough in your budget to account for lunch and traveling to/from location. If paid, remember to follow proper tax protocols.

  1. BEFORE
    1. Read through our list of approved internship providers or propose your own and collect and share information with FMST
    2. Make an appointment with the FMST Chair or faculty advisor to go over workload and credit
    3. Necessary documentation to determine 0.5 -1 credit
      1. Company/organization and internship coordinator’s name, address, email
      2. Funding Source (unpaid or paid internships)
      3. Position description (e.g., from internship ad, website announcement or via email from internship coordinator)
      4. Dates/duration of internship
      5. Daily/weekly hours
      6. Schedule a mid-point check-in with chair or faculty advisor
      7. Enroll in FMST 097 Internship for 0.5 or 1 credit
  2. DURING
    1. Weekly 1-2 page reflections to faculty advisor
    2. Mandatory midpoint report (3-5 pages) should include:
      1. Typical Workday Flow
      2. Examples of Responsibilities and Tasks/Projects
      3. Upcoming Tasks/Projects
      4. Assessment of Learning Experience (work environment, quality of feedback, growing or stagnant project opportunities etc.)
    3. Midterm Report i.-iii. should be shared with Internship Supervisor
    4. Midterm Report i.-iv. should form the basis of a check-in with faculty advisor or FMST Chair to discuss internship work conditions and process.
  3. AFTER
    1. Final check-in with faculty advisor (via email, Zoom or in person)
    2. Email or present pertinent work samples to FMST Chair and FMST Administrative Assistant for final credit assessment (e.g., links to created media content) 

INTERNSHIP PROVIDERS

  1. BEFORE
    1. Internship Proposal
      1. Company/organization, Address
      2. Internship coordinator’s name and contact information
      3. Position description (e.g., from internship ad, website announcement)
      4. Required or expected starting skills for intern
      5. Learning objectives for intern
      6. Dates/duration of internship
      7. Daily/weekly hours
  2. DURING
    1. Discuss mandatory midpoint report with intern (via zoom or in person)
    2. Contact Maggie Danna (mdanna1@swarthmore.edu) for information or in case of any issues
  3. AFTER
    1. Brief assessment letter - please email this intern assessment to the FMST Chair

SUMMER FUNDING

  1. Division Funding (Arts & Humanities)
  2. Lang Center
  3. Center for Innovation and Learning Summer Fund