Internship Process

IMPORTANT: If you are applying for an internship position at a company for which you are already (or have been) employed part- or full-time, you must review and follow the “Current Position Policy” information.

Step 1: Make a Plan

Meet with your major advisor or the MSIA Internship Coordinator (Kristy Modrow) to discuss how the internship credits will fit within your specific academic plan and to make sure there are no concerns about an internship’s duties, etc. For additional information, watch the following video:

Step 2: Obtain an Offer Letter

Upon accepting an internship position, obtain an “offer letter” (either an official letter or email) that states the internship start/end dates and wage. You will need to upload this offer as part of Step 3. For help finding an internship, watch the following videos:

Step 3: Submit Request on Handshake

Follow the Handshake Internship Instructions to begin the approval process. NOTE: The review and approval process may take 1-2 weeks, depending on the time of year. Plan ahead and be patient. Note: Internship paperwork must be submitted and approved no later than the end of the second week of classes; internship credit will not be applied retroactively

Step 4: Register and Choose Credits

If approved, you will receive an email from the Internship Coordinator with override information that will enable you to register for the course. When you register, you will choose the number of credits (part-time internship students choose 1-3 credits; full-time internship students choose 3-12 credits).

International students must first enroll in the internship course, and then email their CPT (and possibly FTE/RCL) paperwork to the MSIA Internship Coordinator (Kristy Modrow) to be signed. The appropriate forms can be downloaded here. IMPORTANT: Because HBS’s academic policy allows students to complete a maximum of three semesters of internships for credit, international students can only receive CPT approval for a maximum of three semesters.

Step 5: Complete the Course Work

In order to receive a grade, you are required to complete a week-by-week list of duties, a written report, and a class presentation. You can learn more about those aspects on the Requirements to Receive Grade web page.