Internships

Already Have an Internship Offer?

Submit your CAPX Internship Request Form to start the approval process.

Step 1: Find an Internship

Begin your search for internships on Handshake, where many CAPX-approved organizations post opportunities. You can also find internships on LinkedIn or other platforms, or secure one through your own network. Internships can be with artist studios, museums, design firms, galleries, animation studios, publishing houses, community organizations, and more.
Need help? Meet with a CAPX advisor for support with your search, resume, cover letter, portfolio, or interview prep.

Step 2: Submit the Internship Request Form

After accepting an internship offer, fill out the CAPX Internship Request Form to start the approval process.

Tip: Submit your form as soon as you receive an offer—or at least 2 weeks before your internship start date. The final deadline to register is the Add/Drop deadline for each term.

International Students (F-1 Visa)
After your internship is approved, CAPX and International Affairs will begin your CPT (Curricular Practical Training) process. You must receive CPT approval before you start working.

Step 3: Get Approved and Enrolled in a CAPX Internship Course.

After you submit the CAPX Internship Request form, CAPX will review your internship and contact the site to complete a job description and provide additional information. We will then review the internship to make sure it meets our established guidelines. Once the internship is approved, and the internship site signs SAIC’s Internship agreement, you can be enrolled in the appropriate undergraduate or graduate internship course.

You do not need to register the course yourself—CAPX will handle the registration for you.

There are three internship course options:

• Professional Practice: Internship as Professional Experience 3900
  • Open to juniors and seniors
  • Fulfills professional practice, studio, and off-campus requirements
  • Offered during the fall and spring semesters
  • Credits, 3.0
• CAPX Internship 4001 
  • Open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors
  • Fulfills studio and off-campus requirements
  • Offered during the fall, winter, spring, and summer semesters
  • Credits, 3.0 or 1.5 credits
  • Winter 1.5 credits only
• CAPX Internship 5001
  • Open to graduate students
  • Offered during the fall, winter, spring, and summer semesters
  • Credits, 3.0 or 1.5 credits
  • Winter 1.5 credits only

As with other SAIC courses, you must register your internship for course credit before the SAIC semester add/drop date. The registration deadline are below. Tuition is charged for internship courses. 

Winter 2025: January 3
Spring 2025: February 5
Summer 2025 (first term): May 30
Summer 2025 (second term): July 8

These courses are designed to provide students an opportunity to gain experience as interns in professional arts and design environments and prepare for professional life after SAIC. Faculty provide in-depth mentorship and act as liaison with the internship site supporting students meet their learning goals as outlined for the semester. Through group meetings and online discussions, students engage with a peer cohort of students participating in a variety of internships. Students work on-site at internships for a total of 140 hours (approximately 14 hours per week) for the term. Students may register for 1.5 credits for courses 4001 or 5001. On-site hours are reduced to 70 hours; all other requirements remain the same.

In addition to successfully completing the internship, students will conduct an informational interview with their employer, attend four class meetings and an onsite meeting with the faculty and supervisor, complete an internship supervisor evaluation, revise their resume, and update their online portfolio, website, or professional profile.

Students are required to secure an internship prior to the start of the semester. Internships must be approved by the Career and Professional Experience (CAPX) office. Students are encouraged to meet with a CAPX advisor for assistance with researching and applying for internships. To begin the internship approval process students must fill out the internship approval request form. 

F-1 visa international students may complete paid and unpaid internships after receiving Curricular Practical Training (CPT) work authorization and registering for an internship course.

Visit International Affairs for more information about CPT work authorization. 

Domestic students have the option to participate in internships without enrolling in an internship course for credit.

Students may be required to register for an internship course if they accept an SAIC internship stipend award. 

SAIC Internship Funds

The SAIC internship stipend program supports selected students pursuing valuable internships which are unpaid, underpaid, or high cost. With the generous support of SAIC donors, a $2,500 stipend is awarded to eligible students during the fall, spring, and summer semesters. There are currently two funds that support SAIC degree-seeking undergraduate and graduate students. 

Parent and Family Internship Fund

The Parent and Family Council Internship Fund is available in the summer semester to all degree-seeking students who are enrolled in a CAPX Internship Course and are participating in unpaid, underpaid, or high-cost internships.

Chicago Maker Internship Fund

The Chicago Maker Internship Fund supports students who are enrolled in either a CAPX Internship Course or other SAIC Fieldwork Course and are either from the Chicago area or are interning at Chicago area organizations. This fund is available during the Fall and Spring semesters.

CAPX opens the internship stipend applications to qualifying students before the start of the semester. Students are required to fill out an application that articulates their financial need and how they will benefit from their experience. Applications for this competitive internship stipend are reviewed by the SAIC internship fund application review committee.

Students will find the application to apply for the stipend on Handshake events page during the application period. For more information, contact careers@saic.edu. If you are interested in donating to an SAIC internship fund visit the giving form and select Parent and Family Fund.