SLS Internship FAQ
Q: During what terms is the SLS internship offered?
A: SLS has interns each term, including summer.
Q: How many hours a week is the SLS Internship?
A: 12-20 hours per week as arranged. This is dependent on the requirements of the academic department through which you seek credit. For more information about seeking credit for internships, please speak to your major department or academic advisor.
Q: Is this internship paid?
A: This is not a paid internship.
Q: Can I receive academic credit for this internship?
You may be able to seek college credits for completing this internship. The process of applying for academic credit for internships varies by the academic department. For more information about seeking credit for internships, please speak to your department or academic advisor. In the past, students have received academic credit for completing our internship from multiple departments across PSU including (but not limited to): Criminology & Criminal Justice, Political Science, English, Social Work, and Philosophy.
Q: When can I apply for next term’s internship?
A: Applications typically go live around the 4th week of the term for the following term’s internship. The application deadline will fall shortly after registration opens for the following term. You can check back to this page or our Instagram for updates and announcements. You can also sign up to be notified when the next application becomes available.
Q: What should I submit for my application? How do I submit this information?
A: The internship application is completed via a google form that is made available in advance of each term. The form asks for some basic information such as your major, whether you are seeking academic credit for your internship, and your class standing at PSU. Also included in your application are a cover letter, resume, and 3 references.
Q: Are all PSU students eligible to apply for this internship?
A: Yes, regardless of your year in school, major or program at PSU, you may apply for our internship. Candidates for whom this internship directly relates to their topic of study or career goals, or for whom academic credit for this internship will help them meet a graduation requirement may be more likely to be selected as interns. Juniors and Seniors may be more likely to be selected as SLS interns, so while you are welcome and encouraged to apply at any point in your PSU education, we encourage Freshman and Sophomore candidates who are not selected in a given term to apply again in the future!
Q: Can this internship be performed remotely?
A: This is an in-person internship opportunity. So long as our office is operating in person, interns will be expected to perform their duties in person in the office as well. If you have concerns or need specific accommodations, please reach out to the DRC (if taking the internship for academic credit) or to our office at slms@pdx.edu.
Q: I'm not sure what term to apply for- any suggestions?
A: We get by far the most applicants for Spring term, as many students are about to graduate and need/want an internship experience before they do. Therefore, your chances of being selected are actually higher any term but spring! We also suggest students apply early (ie, if spring is the last term you'd be able to intern, apply for fall or winter first.) We may have to choose a student with a different graduation timeline, as we prioritize those about to graduate, but we do take note when students applied in the past when we rank applications- this lets us know you are very interested in the opportunity!