Internship Program – G. Brint Ryan College of Business

Internships provide real world experience for students to apply knowledge learned in the classroom and to build relevant skills.

Students can complete a not-for-credit internship at any time without enrolling in a course or meeting any academic requirements. 

However, most Ryan College of Business majors are required to complete a for-credit internship course in order to graduate.

For-Credit Internship Requirements:

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES – To complete a for-credit internship, the student must:

  1. Have a declared RCOB major
  2. Be in good academic standing and meet any GPA requirements
  3. Complete all prerequisites and be eligible to take upper-level courses
  4. Pursue, interview for, and accept a legitimate internship offer that aligns with student’s major
    1. Cannot be a student’s own business or require a financial investment
    2. Cannot be a home-based or online-only business
  5. Submit an Experience Request and offer letter in Handshake for verification and processing
  6. After approval, enroll in and pay tuition for the internship course before the Registrar’s deadline
  7. Go to the ISSS office for CPT/OPT documentation (international students only)
  8. Work at least 240 paid internship hours during the enrolled semester; no credit is given for prior work
  9. Complete a final evaluation of the experience

EMPLOYER RESPONSIBILITIES – To be approved as an intern employer, the company must:

  1. Send a signed and dated offer letter including all the details of the offer
  2. Assign job duties that align with the student’s major
  3. Provide a paid position (hourly or salaried, not commission only) of 240 hours for the semester
  4. Arrange a direct supervisor who is not a family member of the student
  5. Confirm the Experience Request email from Handshake
  6. Allow a site visit if requested by UNT faculty or staff
  7. Complete a final evaluation of the student’s performance

Department (Major) Internship Requirements

To learn more about the specific internship requirements for your major, click on the department below.

Finding an Internship

An internship search is exactly like any other job search. The Wilson Jones Career Center in the G. Brint Ryan College of Business uses Handshake as a primary resource for job searches, but using Handshake to acquire an internship is not required.  Here are a few suggestions:

  • Start early – as soon as you declare your major
  • Apply for multiple internships in your field
  • Search for job listings and career fairs on Handshake
  • Network with professional associations and student organizations
  • Schedule an appointment with your internship coordinator on Navigate

Alternatives to the Traditional Internship

In addition to a for-credit internship, there are other ways to gain experience and learn about a company or profession. This resource, Internship Alternatives, explains some of these opportunities.

Recognizing Job Scams

While most employers and job postings are legitimate, there is always the risk that some may be scams. Sometimes it is difficult to distinguish between what is legitimate and what is not. Please visit this resource for more information on how to identify a potential employment scam.

Questions?  Contact the Internship Team at the Wilson Jones Career Center in the G. Brint Ryan College of Business at 940-369-5181 or send an email to RCOBInternships@unt.edu.