Boston University Summer Study Internship Program

The Boston University Summer Study Internship Program is a unique 12-week program that provides visiting students with an opportunity to gain academic credit and hands-on work experience. Students take two six-week summer courses in the Core Phase of the program, and are placed in a full-time internship in the Boston area during the Internship Phase of the program. Students also participate in a two-credit internship course as part of the program.

The Core Phase

Summer Term 1
During the first six weeks of the program, you'll enroll in two academic summer courses chosen from one of eight academic tracks:

• Arts and Culture
• Business and Management
• Film and Media Studies
• Graphic and Web Design
• International Studies
• Politics and Public Policy
• Psychology and Social Policy
• Self-Designed Track

Students earn four semester credits for each completed course, for a total of eight credits during the Core Phase. Students must earn a grade of C or higher in each of these courses in order to continue in the program. No pass/fail or audit grades are awarded. During the Core Phase, you’ll also prepare for your internship placement by meeting with the program's internship team and faculty advisor and attending workshops covering topics such as resume-writing, interviewing, and self-assessment.

The Internship Phase

Summer Term 2
For the final six weeks of the program, Boston University will arrange for students to work in professional internships with Boston-based, U.S.-based, and multinational firms and organizations. Generally, your internship is unpaid. You'll work in your internship full time, five days a week, for a minimum of 35 hours per week.

During your internship you'll have support from the program internship team and faculty advisor through individual meetings and group workshops. At the start of your internship, you'll outline your goals and objectives and the projects on which you will be working. During the internship period, you'll consult with your BU faculty advisor for the internship course to review your progress toward reaching those goals.

The Internship Course

On-the-job work experience is just one component of your overall program—your experience as an intern will build on the knowledge and skills you gained in the two academic courses you select during the Core Phase. In addition, a critical component of your internship will be the accompanying internship course. You'll also have the opportunity to discuss with other student interns the challenges and rewards of your experience.

Upon completion of the three program courses and your internship, you will have earned 10 semester credits. Students will receive an official Boston University transcript and a certificate upon completion of the program.

Option: Fourteen-Credit Program
Students whose internship schedule allows may enroll in a fourth course (for a total of 14 credits) for an additional fee during Summer 2. This course will need to be selected from the Summer 2 evening offerings.

Program Administration

The Summer Study Internship Program is administered by Boston University Summer Term, located at 755 Commonwealth Avenue, Room 105, Boston, MA 02215. Our staff is available to help address any of your questions or concerns. Please call us at 617-353-0556 or email us at summer@bu.edu with any questions you might have.