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School of Communication

Internships and Independent Study

» Internships and Independent Study

As an undergraduate student in Chapman’s School of Communication, you’re required to participate in an internship or an independent study.

We encourage you to follow your interests as a communicator and choose the option that most resonates with you. A School of Communication advisor can help you explore your options. Read on to learn more about internships and independent study.
Students working on laptops at a desk in an office environment. They are having a discussion and smiling.

 

 

Internships

Internships are a great way to build professional experience while in school — so great that around 80% of Chapman students participate in one.

 

For School of Communication students, internships are the best way to:

  • Explore an industry you’re interested in.
  • Begin networking with professionals in communication roles.
  • Learn how the skills you are building in your communication classes apply to the professional world.
  • Gain real work experience that you can add to your resume.

Where have previous School of Communication students interned?

A degree from the School of Communication qualifies you to work in almost any industry you can imagine. We encourage you to follow your interests and work with our faculty, advisors, and the Career and Professional Development Center to explore your options.

Scroll through the slides below to see some of the internships previous Communication students have done, or check out more on our School of Communication blog.

Penelope Klein '25
Communication Studies major
As a remote intern at women-run communication agency Shout Public Relations, Penelope's focus was social media marketing. She managed everything from content creation and graphic design to campaign planning and engagement analysis across a diverse set of industries.
Christopher Rossal '24
Communication Studies major, Entrepreneurship minor
Christopher interned remotely at Westchester Computer Consulting, where he implemented and oversaw marketing campaigns based on market research and platform insights.
John Wells '23
Strategic and Corporate Communication major, Psychology minor
John interned right here in Orange County, conducting public outreach communication and social media strategy for Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA).
A student gives a presentation at a podium in front of an audience.

 

Independent study

An independent study gives you the opportunity to engage in academic research. You can research on your own, or alongside your professors.

If you find academic research engaging and want to gain experience in it, independent study is the option for you.

Independent study offers the opportunity for you to:

  • Conduct research on the communication topics that interest you.
  • Work one-on-one with a professor to build your skills, and 
  • Build skills that you can use in the academic world and in your future career.
  • Add academic research to your resume, a must-have if you are considering graduate programs or professional school.
  • Participate in academic conferences and potentially have your work published in academic journals.

Building practical skills through independent study

While internships are mostly about building work experience, independent study revolves around academics and research. If you plan to enter a career in academia or pursue post-graduate education, independent study is a great way to get started on that track and gain the necessary skills.

Depending on the independent study, you may:

  • Gain administrative experience operating labs or organizing events.
  • Design websites.
  • Design educational materials.
  • Learn how to conduct interviews, focus groups and surveys.
  • Learn how to analyze various types of data, including analysis of open-ended questions, statistical analysis of survey results, analysis of physiological data, facial expressions, and more.
  • Work on writing and presentation skills for various target audiences and purposes (e.g., writing scripts, storyboards, educational materials, research reports, etc.)

Finding an independent study

Ready to get started on your independent study? Here are a few ways to take the first step.

  • Talk to your instructors. If there is a class you’re especially interested in, you may be able to conduct research related to it. The instructor of the class can help you get started.
  • Check out our faculty profiles. If there is a faculty member whose research you find particularly intriguing, reach out to them and ask about participating. They’re happy to help and will be able to speak with you in more detail.
  • Schedule an appointment with a School of Communication advisor. An advisor can help you narrow down what you’re looking for in an independent study and connect you with the right resources.

Independent study examples

In the field of communication, research topics are diverse. Here are some examples of past independent studies completed by our students, plus a few links to academic journals where students have published their work.

Have questions? Talk to an advisor

Our School of Communication advising team is here to help you with any questions or concerns you have. Schedule an appointment with an advisor on our Undergraduate Advising page.