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Last Updated on Monday, 13 April 2009 20:59

What are the Studies Programs?

The Studies Programs are work and study programs where students earn academic credit for doing internships. Students work closely with accomplished professionals in a variety of media-related companies.

When do the programs begin and end?

The programs cover an eight-week period during the summer that runs concurrent with SIUC's summer semester. Internships will begin on June 15, 2009 and end on August 7, 2009.

What are the admission requirements?

Be a major in one of MCMA's departments or a student in a closely-related major. (Note: Non-MCMA students must have a recommendation from from an MCMA faculty or staff member.)

• Obtain junior standing by the end of the spring semester.
• Have a 2.75 GPA in your major.
• Have two recommendations, at least one from a faculty member.
• Have fulfilled any departmental requirements for coursework before participating in an internship.

How do students apply for the Studies Programs?

All application materials are available online at www.mcma.siu.edu/internships. Students should click on the menu for the Studies Program in which they are interested. They should download and read the Application Checklist and follow the instructions for how to apply. Students should next download and read the Program Description, which provides details about the program. Students should then download and read the Participant Agreement. Students should keep this document for their records and fill out and turn in the last page with their application packets. Students should then download, fill out, and print the Application Form. Students must turn in a minimum of two Reference Forms, one of which must be from a professor, preferably from their home departments. Students may download and print these forms to give to the people who will be recommending them for the Studies Programs. Letters of recommendation are not required.

What items must be included in the application packet?

• Application form.
• Current one-page resume.
• Two Reference Forms, at least one from a faculty member (minimum of two - maximum of three).
• Participant Agreement Form.
• Portfolio.
• Copy of your driver's license if you plan to drive while participating in the program.
• Letter of explanation regarding GPA if you do not satisfy the minimum GPA requirement.

To whom do students submit their application materials?

All application packets should be submitted to Krissi Geary-Boehm, MCMA Dean's Office, Room 1032A by January 23, 2009 at 4:00 p.m. Incomplete or late applications will not be accepted.

What is involved in the interview process?

• All applicants for the Studies Programs will undergo a brief interview conducted by members of the Studies Program Committee and GUIDES.
• Interviews will be conducted the week after applicants turn in their application materials.
• Applicants will sign up for time slots when they turn in their application materials.
• Applicants should dress professionally for the interview as though it were a job interview.

How much do the programs cost?

• Housing/program fee.
• Tuition for one to six credit hours.
• Transportation costs to and from the Program city and to and from internship sponsor sites.
• Living expenses.

What are the Program/Housing Fees?

• Hollywood Studies: $2,700.
• Chicago Studies: $250.
• New York Studies: $2,850.
• Nashville Studies: $2,700.
• D.C. Studies: $2,850.

Can students pay after they receive their financial aid?

• No, students will not receive their financial aid checks until they are already in the cities.
• The housing fee is due on or before March 27, 2009.
• Students may pay in one lump sum or on a payment schedule of three payments (March 27, April 10, April 24).
• Tuition is due according to the SIUC bursar's office payment deadline.

Is housing provided?

Housing is arranged by SIUC in Hollywood, New York City, Nashville, and Washington, D.C. Housing is not arranged in Chicago. Chicago Studies students are responsible for setting up their own housing arrangements.

Where do students live in the cities where the Studies Programs are located?

• Hollywood: Oakwood Corporate Housing.
• New York City: New York University residence halls.
• Nashville: Oakwood Corporate Housing.
• Washington, D.C.: American University residence halls.
• Chicago: Students make their own housing arrangements.

Can students' housing/program fees be billed by the Bursar?

• No, the housing fee must be paid to the Division of Continuing Education.
• These fees must be submitted to the various entities by a certain date to secure housing for the programs.
• Please note: Students will receive a separate bill from the bursar's office for tuition.

Do students have to stay in the housing that has been set up?

• Yes, Hollywood, New York, Nashville, and D.C. Studies are considered off-campus residential programs so students must stay in the housing set up by SIUC. Students must abide by all SIUC housing regulations. The housing locations are conveniently located near most of the sponsor sites.

Is there a penalty if students withdraw from the programs?

For students in Hollywood, New York, Nashville, and Washington, D.C. Studies, there is a $100 cancellation fee if they must withdraw from the programs. NYU has a separate $500 cancellation fee. The penalty for withdrawing from Chicago Studies is $50. However, after a certain date, the housing fee paid by students in the residential Studies Programs is nonrefundable. The refund policies are included in the Participant Agreements for each Studies Program. If students have questions about the refund policies, contact the Division of Continuing Education at 618-536-7751.

Is transportation provided?

No, students are responsible for arranging their own transportation to and from Hollywood, Chicago, New York, Nashville, and Washington, D.C. and to and from their internship sites.

Can students take their cars?

In Hollywood, students must have a car (their own or a rental car). Students must make arrangements in advance with Enterprise Rentals at Oakwood Corporate Housing if they need to rent a car. (See the Hollywood Studies Program Description for details.) Public transportation is readily available in New York City, Nashville, and Washington, D.C. Students who choose to take their cars to Washington, D.C. must purchase parking decals from American University to park at the residence hall. The apartments and residence halls are conveniently located near many of the sponsor sites. Having a car in some cities incurs costs that make it unreasonable for students to take their own cars (i.e., New York City).

Is students' SIUC health insurance in effect?

Students' SIUC health insurance is in effect in the residential programs for emergency and urgent care only but students in Chicago Studies are not covered. Chicago Studies students registered for Chicago Studies pay tuition but not SIUC fees. Thus, they are not be covered by SIUC's health insurance program (unless they are registered for other classes). Chicago Studies participants must agree to carry medical insurance during the internship period. They must submit written proof of insurance by Monday, April 28, 2008 to the Internship Coordinator.

Do students have to register for an internship?

Yes, the Studies Programs are for SIUC registered students only.

How can graduating seniors participate in the Studies Programs?

• Graduating seniors can delay graduation until the end of the summer semester OR
• They can register as a "student with a degree."

Do students have to register for internship credit?

Students must register to receive academic credit for their internships. Most internship sponsors require that their interns be currently registered students. SIUC's liability coverage for student interns is only effective if the students are currently enrolled.

How do students figure out the number of credit hours they will receive for the internships?

Each department sets its own requirements for how much academic credit students earn for internships. Students should check with their academic advisor about their department's policies regarding internships as soon as possible. They should make sure they have met any departmental requirements to participate in an internship.

My department has a minimum number of work hours required for a certain number of credit hours. Once I complete the minimum requirement, can I quit my internship?

No, the Studies Programs are summer-long internship programs. Students are expected to participate in internships for the duration of the summer.

Am I required to write a paper?

Yes, internships for academic credit all involve an academic component, i.e., a paper. It is the student's responsibility to find out the details regarding the paper before leaving for their internships.

Who is the instructor of record for my internship?

Journalism students must obtain a faculty member to oversee their internship. This faculty sponsor will be the instructor of record for their internship. The instructor of record for all Radio-Television students is the interim department chair, JPhylis Johnson ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; 453-6901). The instructor of record for all Cinema and Photography students doing internships is the department chair Deborah Tudor ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; 453-5087). Outside majors and graduate students should check with their academic advisors or director of graduate studies to obtain this information.

Will students get paid for the internship?

The majority of internships are unpaid. Students must be prepared and willing to accept an internship regardless of whether it is paid or unpaid.

How will students' GPAs be used in the selection process?

Program guidelines state that students must have a minimum GPA in their major of 2.75. If students need to find out their major GPAs, they can visit http://salukinet.siu.edu.

When will students know if they have been selected?

Students will be notified on or before February 13, 2009 via email to the email address they listed on their application materials.

What happens after students are selected?

• They must make an appointment to meet with the Internship Coordinator.
• They must submit their resumes via email to the Internship Coordinator within one week after being notified of their selection for the program.
• They must pay the housing/program fee by the payment deadline.
• They will be kept reasonably informed on the progress of internship placements.
• They will be notified immediately if a sponsor is interested in arranging an interview.
• Failure to actively participate (i.e., not respond to a sponsor's request for an interview) in the internship placement process will be grounds for removal from the program.
• They must register for internship credit.
• They must make sure they follow all departmental policies for internships.

What responsibilities do students have who are selected for the programs?

• They must meet all deadlines related to application materials, charges, registration, and securing a faculty sponsor (if required).
• Once an interview is offered, they must arrange the date and time of the interview.
• They must notify the Internship Coordinator if and when interviews and/or internships are secured.
• They must keep the Internship Coordinator informed of their current address, phone number, and email information at all times.
• They must inform the Internship Coordinator immediately if a sponsor requests an interview or declines to offer an internship after an interview.
• They must fulfill all work and academic requirements related to their internships.
• They must promptly inform the Internship Coordinator if they are completely dissatisfied with their internship experiences.
• They must promptly inform the Internship Coordinator if they have been dismissed (fired) from an internship.

What will be used to determine students' grades?

• Clock hours on the job.
• Sponsor evaluation.
• Attendance at any required meetings.
• Academic component - paper.

What should students do after the program ends?

• Turn in their papers to the appropriate parties.
• Check with their academic advisors or faculty sponsors to make sure they have completed all requirements.
• Send a thank you letter to their sponsors.
• Fill out and return a program evaluation to the Internship Coordinator.

What are important dates that students should remember?

• Applications are due on January 23.
• The Studies Programs Committee conducts interviews with students who apply for the Studies Programs from February 2 through 4.
• Students are notified by February 13 regarding whether they have been selected for the programs.
• The deadline for paying the housing/program fees is March 27.
• Note: If students choose not to pay the housing/program fees in full, they must set their payments up on a payment schedule, which allows three payments due on March 27, April 10, and April 24.

Who should students contact if they have questions about the housing/ program fee?

Students with questions about the housing/program fees should contact Jackie Welch at the Division of Continuing Education. Her telephone number is 618- 536-7751, and her email address is This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Her office is located in Building C at Washington Square.

Who should students contact if they have other questions about the programs?

Students with questions about the Studies Programs should contact Krissi Geary-Boehm, MCMA's Internship Coordinator. Her telephone number is 618-453-8637, and her email address is This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Her office is located in Room 1032A in the Communications Building.