Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

There are a number of questions asked about the Internship course each semester, and we hope to slowly accumulate answers to the most common questions below. If you don't find your question answered below, please contact the Internship Director at (732) 932-8197 or (732) 932-1149 or via e-mail at michael.goeller@rutgers.edu. Phoning is often best and fastest, and you can speak to an assistant at 932-1149 every day of the week.

Does the Internship count toward my major credits in English?
The English Department does not count the Internship for credit toward the major. The internship is worth three credits and will count toward your overall graduation requirements. It will also help you very much in the long run in securing gainful employment after graduation.

Is the Internship class the only way to fulfill the internship requirements of the Professional or Technical Writing certificate?
Experience of an Internship is an integral part of both certificates offered by the Business and Technical Writing Program, but the Internship course is not the only way to meet that requirement. The CASE Internship is another way. And other internship experiences (such as Cooperative Learning) may qualify, upon review of the Internship Director.

May I complete more than one internship for credit through the English Department?
You may complete the Internship course twice for credit toward graduation, taking both 395 (Fall) and 396 (Spring), for a total of six credits. If you want further internship experience through the English Department, you can complete the CASE Internship.

Can I take the Writing Internship if I am not an English major and if I have never taken any courses through the Business and Technical Writing Program?
The Writing Internship is intended for students who are English majors or those who are pursuing the Professional or Technical Writing Certificates through the Business and Technical Writing Program. Because writing is a major component of the internship, we require that all students taking the internship have either completed Principles of Literary Study (350:219-220) or a course offered by the Business and Technical Writing Program (355:202-425). Some internships may require specific skills, such as web design experience or document design, which are covered in classes offered by the Business and Technical Writing Program. We therefore urge students to consider waiting until they have completed classes that will help build specific writing and computer literacy skills before applying for these more technically demanding internships.

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