Gain career experience
The School of Social Transformation offers multiple internship opportunities for students to go out in the community, form lasting professional connections and gain work experience while earning academic credit.
Our school doesn’t just help students find internships, it prepares students for them. As a part of the internship program, students complete a course that identifies the relationship between classroom learning and making an impact in the real world. Students have worked in fields as diverse as animal rights, domestic violence shelters, and law offices.
Internship Information
Internship FAQs
Q: How do I get an internship?
A: Internships are competitive because they are in great demand. You will need to identify and apply for an internship, just as you would for a job. It will be your responsibility to procure the internship prior to enrolling in a credit-bearing class. If needed, ASU’s Career and Professional Development Services can help you line up possible internship sites, write a cover letter, and prepare a resume. Visit ASU’s Career and Professional Development Services page for more information on finding an internship.
Q: Where do I find an internship?
A: While there are many sources out there, we highly recommend finding an internship opportunity listed in Handshake or reaching out to an organization you are interested in. You can also make an appointment with the internship coordinator to explore opportunities.
Q: Can I complete the internship over the summer and then apply for credit in the fall? A: No. The hours that you work in your internship must be completed during the semester in which you register. Retroactive credit cannot be given for internships.
Q: What terms are internship credit offered?
A: SST 484 is offered in C session during fall, spring, and summer terms. Remember, summer tuition applies.
Q: How many hours do I have to work per week? A: To earn 3 credit hours you must work a total of 135 hours. During the fall and spring semesters, this works out to be about 9 hours a week on the job.
Q: What do I have to do besides work at my internship to earn credit? A: In addition to working your internship hours, you are required to register for SST 484/584. You are expected to complete career-related assignments, record all internship hours, and your site supervisor will be asked to submit one final evaluation about your performance during the semester.
Q: How do I enroll in SST 484/584?
A: Email SSTAdvising@asu.edu for the Internship Credit Application
Q: Can I receive internship credit if I am being paid or receiving a stipend? A: Yes. Many internships end up being not paid, but if you find an internship that is paid you can still earn academic credit for the internship.
Q: Will I receive a grade for my internship? A: Yes. SST 484/584 is a graded course where you receive a letter grade based on completion of hours and assignments.
Q: I am an online student. Can I still do an internship?
A: Yes, you can do an internship in your area or find an internship position that is 100% virtual.
Get Started
Prepare a cover letter and resume
- Career and Professional Development Services Website: Resources for students on both employment and internships. You will need to register with Handshake to utilize many of these resources.
- Resume Dropbox: Students and alumni can upload resumes in a Word document and have it reviewed by a CPDS team member within 3 business days.
- Interview Stream: Students and alumni can practice interviewing from the comfort of their own home. At the end, the students have the option to send the recording to a professional staff member for review and feedback.
State, County, and City Government
City planning offices, legal offices, public relations, archives, and more. Check your own local government offices for opportunities near your place of residence.
You will find internship opportunities at a local level in government offices in Tempe, Phoenix, Glendale and Mesa.
At the State level in Arizona, try:
Please do your research, as websites and programs are constantly changing. If you do not live in the ASU area, you can use these ideas to do some research in the areas near you.
Already found an internship?
Complete the enrollment process:
All paperwork must be received by the first day of classes for the term in which you would like to complete the internship. Click here to view the academic calendar.
Schedule an advising appointment:
Schedule an appointment (in-person, phone, or Zoom) with the SST Internship Coordinator: (please choose Internship as the reason for scheduling). If your appointment is in-person, please bring the completed paperwork with you. If your appointment is via phone or Zoom, please e-mail the completed paperwork to SSTAdvising@asu.edu prior to your appointment.
The office is open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. year-round. Students who need to cancel or postpone an appointment should call 480-965-7682 prior to the scheduled appointment time. A student who is more than 15 minutes late is considered a no show and will need to reschedule their appointment.
Complete Student Placement Agreement
The link below is a sample document. The Internship Coordinator will send the Student Placement Agreement electronically to your internship site supervisor.
Internship Requirements
Students in the School of Social Transformation are strongly encouraged to pursue an internship during their time at Arizona State University. The school closely supervises internships to ensure students are getting a professional experience that will help prepare them for a future career.
Students in the following degree programs are required to complete at least one professional-
level internship for credit:
- Asian Pacific American Studies BA
- Asian Pacific American Studies Undergraduate Certificate
- Women and Gender Studies BA
Students in the following degree programs may complete an internship or undergraduate
research experience:
- Human Rights Undergraduate Certificate
- Social Transformation Undergraduate Certificate
Internships for academic credit
Students completing an internship have the opportunity to earn three hours of academic, nongraded credit.
Internship hours required at placement site:
3 credits – 135 clocked hours for the semester
The internship program has a strong academic component that connects classroom learning with onsite learning. Students are expected to identify and pursue key learning objectives, connect their internship work to goals of social transformation and write a critical analysis of their experience.
Eligibility requirements/prerequisites:
Students are eligible to pursue an internship if they meet the following academic criteria:
Have earned 45 credit hours with a 2.5 GPA or higher.
All students must work with the School of Social Transformation’s student support coordinator to select, and be admitted to, an internship program.
Testimonials
Danielle Quan, B.A. Justice Studies
Internship: Mesa Justice of the Peace, The Honorable Cecil Ash.
“During my time at the North Mesa Justice Court internship, an opportunity extended to me through the ASU Justice Studies Internship Program, I was able to garner connections and experience law in a whole new way. This experience is invaluable to any person looking to work in the justice field in the future. My advice to anyone considering an internship is to look through the listings with the ASU Justice Studies Internship Coordinator, as those opportunities will be vital to your resumes.”
Alejandro Oviedo, B.A. Business Law & Socio–Legal Studies Certificate
Internship: The Arizona Ombudsman Office Citizens Aide.
“Interning at the Arizona Ombudsman Office opened my eyes to the world of state government and how greatly it affects our society. Investigating the actions of large scale agencies such as the Department of Child Safety, the Department of Economic Security, and the Department of Health Services was challenging, engaging, and helped grow me as a person. Being equipped with a more thorough understanding of the structure and abilities of government, I feel I can now approach authorities with confidence and poise.”
Ana Alvarado Aguirre, B.A. Justice Studies
Internship: The Arizona Ombudsman Office Citizens Aide.
“My SST internship experience at Central Arizonans for a Sustainable Economy has been exceptional. I was able to explore my professional interests within immigration based on different situations. Knowing that I chose the correct major for my future career has been one of the many internship accomplishments I gained.”
Eva De La Cruz, B.A. Communications, Women and Gender Studies Minor & Human Rights Certificate
Internship: Arizona Department of Corrections-Office of Victim Services.
“Through my internship and my time at the School of Social Transformation, I was able to clearly outline my career path. I am now proud to say that I am working at the Arizona Attorney General’s Office in the division of Child and Family Safety.”
Janessa Doyle, B.S. Justice Studies
