Between a Rock and a Hard Place: Attitudes and Practices of Mass Communication Programs Regarding Unpaid Student Internships

Abstract

This survey of mass communication programs’ attitudes and practices found unpaid student internships are more likely at unaccredited programs and where the highest degree offered is a bachelor’s. Advisers at bachelor’s programs also are more likely to agree academic credit appropriately substitutes for monetary payment. Although most advisers support unpaid internships, they agree universities are ethically obligated to protect students from illegal ones. The study recommends steps for journalism and mass communication (JOMC) educators to engage in informed discussions and decision-making to arrive at ethically justifiable policies and practices governing internships where their students work for free, especially for academic credit at for-profit companies.