Undergraduate History Internship: HIST 399

An internship provides you with a more concrete dimension to your historical study. It allows you to see and engage in the practice of history in a professional setting such as an archive, a museum, an historic site, or a government agency for GMU course credit. An internship is a meaningful way to acquire experience and contacts in the field, which can be valuable when you enter the job market or apply to graduate schools. By participating in an internship, you may:

  • learn about the past from a different perspective than that found in lecture or seminar courses
  • use new and unfamiliar research tools
  • have new career choices revealed to you
  • learn more about your own potential and aptitude for such a career
  • have valuable "real world" work experience to include on future resumes

For more information about History 399, students should contact the Internship Director, Dr. Jane Hooper at jhooper3@gmu.edu

How it Works

To receive GMU course credit for HIST 399, students must apply and be hired for an internship at any public or private agency in which the work assigned involves practical skills needed to be a professional historian.

This link will take you to a list of local sites that accept student interns. Most students work at museums, archives, and libraries, but some have worked in the private sector at law firms, privately-owned companies, in journalism, and other non-profit agencies working on history-related projects. In addition, during the summer, students are encouraged to seek internships outside of the D.C. area as well as abroad.

Students are responsible for identifying possible internship placements, researching the eligibility and requirements for the positions, and completing and submitting all required application materials. If you have questions during the application process, the Internship Director is available for consultation. Further assistance may be available from Career Services, who can help you update your cover letter and resume or consult about additional opportunities.

Students can enroll in HIST 399 during the academic year or the summer. Keep in mind, however, that GMU Summer School tuition is slightly higher than Fall/Spring semester tuition; and to receive university credit for HIST 399, students must pay tuition as they would for any other course.

Internships are usually unpaid positions, though some may be salaried or provide a modest stipend. Interns must have reliable transportation to the work site, and they may also have to arrange for parking and medical insurance.

There are no special fees or charges (beyond standard tuition fees) associated with completing an internship for history credit.

Who Is Eligible?

You must be a history major or minor who has completed, or is in the process of completing, 15 hours in history. A 2.5 GPA in all history courses is mandatory.

Enrollment

Sign up for HIST 399 through the History Internship Director. You cannot register for this course without a signed permission form from the Internship Director.

  • Your faculty supervisor will either be the Internship Director or a faculty member whose specialty is in the area of your internship.
  • You must be approved by the agency supervisor. This supervisor will arrange your work schedule, direct the work experience, and help in evaluating your performance.
  • An "Internship Agreement" must be signed by you, your job site supervisor, and your faculty supervisor or the Internship Director. This agreement stipulates the expectations and obligations of the internship, which must be completed in order to receive a satisfactory grade and credit for HIST 399.
  • In addition, the University requires a “Consent and Release Agreement” to be signed by the student.

Students must secure an internship and contact the Internship Director to fill out an internship agreement and register for HIST 399 before the following dates:

  • For Fall semesters: by August 15
  • For Spring semesters: by January 5
  • For Summer semesters: by May 1 

Credit Hours

45 hours of work is required for 1 credit of HIST 399. 135 hours of work is required for 3 credits of HIST 399.  In other words, if enrolled in HIST 399 for 3-credits, students should plan to devote 9 hours/week to the internship. Students can enroll in up to 6 credits of HIST 399 per semester or summer session. Up to 9 credits of HIST 399 can be applied toward the History degree.

In order to receive Mason course credit for HIST 399, students are expected to:

  •  Submit a Midterm Progress Report to the Internship Director (dates vary by semester)
  • Submit a Final Report to the Internship Director (dates vary by semester)
  • Write a Hands-on-History profile for the department website 
  • Be assessed by their on-site supervisor at the conclusion of the internship

For more detailed information or to discuss program specifics, please contact Dr. Jane Hooper, the History Internship Director, at jhooper3@gmu.edu