Experiential Learning

Four walls can’t contain an entire education. That’s why, at Richmond, most students extend their educations by participating in experiential learning opportunities. They’re the chance to take what you’ve learned in the classroom and apply it to the real world, either via research, an internship, service, or studying abroad.

Internships

Internships are essential for journalism students who are trying to make career choices.  Because of this, the Department of Journalism requires all students to participate in at least one internship while at Richmond. Many students choose to complete more than one. Students can complete internships during the academic year or over the summer. Placements can be in a variety of journalism specialties, including newspapers, magazines, radio, television and Web-based publications.

Recent students have completed internships with:

CNBC
CNN
Fox News
Legal Times
MSNBC
NBC News/London
Richmond Magazine
Richmond Times-Dispatch
Stateline.org
Style Weekly
The Los Angeles Times
The Wall Street Journal

Regardless of where students choose to intern, earning credit for their experience is straightforward. Students must work a minimum of 50 hours, for which they receive one hour of academic credit.

Students who write for on-campus publications such as the student newspaper, The Collegian, may also earn one hour of academic credit. Writing for the paper is strongly encouraged by the Department of Journalism.

Students who are interested in securing internships should visit the Career Development Center for more information.

When you are ready to earn credit for an internship, download the department’s internship contract and submit it to your adviser.

Study Abroad

Journalism students benefit greatly from broadening their worldview with an experience studying abroad. Students often find that their time in another country can actually make them better writers as they capture their experiences with the written word. The University of Richmond was recently recognized as the “Hottest College for International Studies” and it’s no wonder. Nearly 70 percent of students study abroad. Journalism majors usually spend their time abroad taking journalism-related classes that transfer back to Richmond as elective credits.

For information on studying abroad, visit the Office of International Education.