CVAD Internship Guidance & Information

Undergraduate Internship Information

How do I know if I want or need an internship & how does an internship apply to my degree?

Everyone* can do an internship!  They are a great way to gain skills and experience or test out a career field.  Internships can be paid or unpaid.  You can learn more about internships from this Internships FAQs from the UNT Career Center of the Division of Student Affairs.

Everyone who does an internship does NOT need to take an internship class. To find out if taking an internship for academic credit — meaning you enroll and pay tuition/fees associated with that class — is right for you, there are a couple options: 

• You can see if an internship is required for your major by reviewing the CVAD Curriculum Guides or online degree audit.  Most majors do NOT require an internship.  However, they are often recommended.   
• You can meet with a CVAD Academic Advisor to talk about your options. We still suggest doing the previous step before you meet with us!

How do I find an internship?

Your best resources are the CVAD Career Coaches. They can help you use Handshake to find internship listings and more! You can schedule an appointment with them through Navigate. 

• All students who complete an internship, regardless of whether you enroll in an internship class for credit, should report their internship.  Psst! You can even get special cords for graduation! 
• If you are an interior design major, your required internship must meet certain criteria. Your internship must be done under the supervision of a certified Interior Designer or Architect. The Interior Design program often supplies students with a list of options as you approach your internship semester.  The CVAD Career Coaches can assist you with preparing to reach out for an internship.

How do I register for an internship course?

We recommend you start this process EARLY and complete it before the start of the semester in which you plan to enroll. 

Once you have found an internship, you need to download and complete the Professional Internship Confirmation Form. You will need to include signatures from your Internship on-site supervisor and the instructor-of-record faculty member. 

The instructor-of-record faculty member is the point of contact for your internship class, either ADES 4700 for design majors — fall only, or ART 4450 for all other CVAD majors. 

We recommend the following contacts, based on your major/program. 

• • • Art History: Lisa N. Owen, professor, chair, Art History Department
    • Communication Design undergraduate program coordinators.
      • Graphic Design: Whitney Holden, lecturer
      • User-Experience: Keith Owens, professor
    • Fashion Design: Cynthia Gentzel, lecturer
    • Interdisciplinary Art & Design Studies: Heidi Strobel, professor, associate dean, Academic & Student Affairs
    • Interior Design: Hepi Wachter, professor, chair, Design Department
    • Studio Art: Nicole Foran, professor, chair, Studio Art

Once you complete the appropriate form, submit it via email as instructed on the form. 

Once your information is reviewed and confirmed, you will be enrolled in the appropriate class.  Please note that processing can take five to 10 business days.  Be aware that taking an internship for credit will incur tuition and fees. 

All students who have an internship, regardless of whether you enroll in an internship class, should report their internship.  Psst! You can even get special cords for graduation!

Note: Additional information will be requested  and reporting guidelines communicated by a CVAD advisor once a student is enrolled.