Internships
Internships can help you identify and build your professional career. At UMSI, we believe these experiences should be part of your education, not something extra. We make this possible by providing academic credit for eligible internships, as well as coaching, internship search courses and networking through the Career Development Office.
You will have access to robust support from the Career Development Office, including career and internship courses specifically designed to prepare you for your search, personalized coaching and facilitated connections with employers and alumni.
You are eligible to start to earn internship credit after successfully completing two semesters at UMSI. The Career Development Office will review your internship to make sure it meets these eligibility requirements:
- The internship is related to what is taught and researched at UMSI and connects to your coursework and future career goals.
- The internship provides hands-on professional work that helps you develop new learning, skills and abilities.
- The internship includes a professional supervisor with three or more years of experience who provides mentorship.
Internships can be part-time or full-time, remote, hybrid or in person, and can be based anywhere in the world. We welcome nontraditional internships that support your goals, including research, entrepreneurship and self-directed projects.
While UMSI encourages students to pursue paid internships, we recognize that valuable career paths such as those in nonprofits, libraries, museums, startups, university research and international service may offer limited compensation. To help bridge this gap for living expenses, we provide a limited number of internship grants through donor support. Learn more about UMSI internship grants on M-Compass.
Bachelor of Science in Information
Given the real-world orientation of the BSI, internships are encouraged and actively supported by the Career Development Office. All BSI juniors take SI 300: Career and Internship Design Studio, taught by career development experts. This course provides a foundation of career education for all BSI students and supports you in your internship search. BSI students can also receive up to three credits from internships.
Master of Science in Information
Master of Science in Information students can earn up to nine credits from internships, with six credits required. Most students complete internships in the summer between their first and second year, but internships can be completed in any term. You also have the option to take a one-credit elective course, SI 505: Career and Internship Studio, taught by career development experts. This course provides a foundation in career education and supports you in your internship search.
Master of Health Informatics
Master of Health Informatics students can earn up to nine credits from internships, with six credits required. Most students complete internships in the summer between their first and second year, but internships can be completed in any term. You also have the option to take a one-credit elective course, SI 505: Career and Internship Studio, taught by career development experts. This course provides a foundation in career education and supports you in your internship search.
PhD in Information
Although not required, internships give PhD students considering a non-academic career path additional practical experience. The Career Development Office provides internship search coaching for those students who wish to pursue an industry internship to complement their PhD program study.
