Texas A&M University Graduate Catalog

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Degree Information

Professional Internships

In those programs in which a professional internship is used (see individual programs), a student will spend an appropriate period of time under the supervision of a practicing professional in industry, business, an educational institution or a government agency. The objectives of the internship are two-fold: (1) to enable the student to demonstrate the ability to apply both technical training and knowledge by making an identifiable contribution in an area of practical concern to the industry or organization in which the internship is served, and (2) to enable the student to function in a non-academic environment in a position in which he or she will become aware of the organizational approach to problems in addition to those traditional approaches with which the student is familiar. These may include, but are in no way limited to, problems of management, labor relations, public relations, environmental protection, economics, etc.

Internship agreements should be negotiated between the appropriate organization or industry and the appropriate academic department. The organization of the internship, the internship supervisor and the nature of the internship will be determined by mutual consent of the student, the head of the student's major department, the student's advisory committee and the supervising organization prior to the commencement of the internship period. The internship experience should be at a level commensurate with the particular degree objective.

An internship report should be prepared by the student in accordance with guidelines established by the student's major department, the student's advisory committee or other appropriate body. The report should be submitted to the advisory committee and to any other organization which may be specified for specific programs. The internship report must be the original work of the student.

An internship, if utilized as part of a student's degree requirements, should be undertaken near the end of the student's educational program, after the student has had the opportunity to establish a solid theoretical base for the internship experience.