Internships for Entertainment Studies Certificate Students

The internship program at UCLA Extension allows certificate students to receive elective credit for work performed with companies in the film, television, music and entertainment media communities. Internships are restricted only to candidates in certificate programs, and only to those students who have completed a substantive portion of their course work.

Students typically intern 14 to 20 hours per week for a total of one university quarter (12 weeks). Quarters run from late September to mid-December (Fall); January to March (Winter); April to mid-June (Spring); and July to late September (Summer). View the current academic calendar.

Students must work a minimum of 120 hours in order to receive the 4 units of credit associated with their course. Students submit a report at the end of the internship outlining the work done and experience received.

To enroll in an internship course for credit, students must be actively enrolled in one of the Entertainment Studies certificate programs or the Screenwriting: Film and TV Comprehensive certificate. In addition:

• Domestic students must have completed a minimum of 12 units toward their certificate program.
• International students attending UCLA Extension with an F-1 Visa must first complete a minimum of 9 months of consecutive study (36 units) to be eligible for a paid or unpaid internship (CPT).

International students studying at UCLA Extension with an F-1 visa may also participate in our internship program. Eligibility requirements and the steps to apply vary from that process for domestic students. Review the section for international students below for how to apply.

Once the minimum eligibility requirements have been met, students must then secure their own internship in their field of study and submit all required documentation.

Students are responsible for securing their own internship, but the Entertainment Studies department is pleased to help you with your search.

Each quarter we are contacted by studios, agencies and management companies, networks, and production companies who seek qualified UCLA Extension applicants. Additionally, students may find their own internship opportunities and are recommended to visit the career websites of many high-profile companies, where new internship opportunities are posted regularly.

Resources for your search:

UCLA Career Center: Handshake

Subscribe to Handshake, the UCLA Career Center online job board where employers across industries post job and internship opportunities at all career levels. For more information on how to create your account, visit the UCLA Extension Career Services website.

UCLA Extension Internship List

Each quarter we are contacted by studios, agencies, networks, and production companies who seek qualified UCLA Extension applicants. These resources are only available to certificate students.

Reach out to acasas@uclaextension.edu to be added to our internship email list.

Industry Job Boards

You might also want to try looking into the UTA Jobs List or Entertainment Careers as they very frequently add new job and internship opportunities and can be a great resource for searching.

Additionally, students may find their own internship opportunities and are recommended to visit the career websites of many high-profile companies, where new internship opportunities are posted regularly. 

Additional Support - Schedule an Advising Appointment

If you would like advice on finding the right internship, feel free to make an appointment with one of our Academic Advisors by calling (310) 825-9064.

Certificate students can earn academic credit by successfully enrolling in and completing an Entertainment Studies internship course. Each course is equivalent to 4 units of X400 series coursework. Students must complete a minimum of 120 hours to receive credit.

In order to enroll into the internship course you will need to submit an Internship Agreement Form signed by your supervisor where you will be interning. You will also need to submit an online application in order to formally enroll in the course for credit. 

1. Internship Agreement Form

• Unpaid Internship Form (PDF)
• Paid Internship Form (PDF)

Email your completed form to Ariana Casas at acasas@uclaextension.edu

2. Submit online internship application for approval to enroll. 

On the course page for your area of study, add the course to your cart and follow the prompts to "Checkout." Once logged into your student account, you'll be asked to complete a short application. Payment is not required until you have been approved granted permission to enroll.

• Film & Television Internship
  FILM TV X 499.2
• Music Industry Internship
  MUSC X 499

Both the online application and the signed agreement form are required for enrolling into the course. Once we have had a chance to review your internship, you will be contacted via email with a decision and, if approved, instructions for enrolling in the course.

Once the internship has been completed, you will need to submit:

1. An Internship Verification Form signed by your supervisor 
2. A 2-4 page paper describing your experience at your internship (format note: double spaced, using 12 pt. font and one inch margins).

Submit all completed paperwork to Ariana Casas at acasas@uclaextension.edu

If at any time, you believe a company does not provide a professional and adequate work environment, please let us know.

International students who are attending UCLA Extension on an F-1 Visa must first complete a minimum of 9 months of consecutive study (36 units) in order to be eligible for a paid or unpaid internship (CPT). 

• Students must secure their own internships through an application and interview process and/or connections. 
• International students participating in unpaid internships are limited to 20-hours per week. Students can only take one internship at a time.
• International students participating in paid internships may intern full time.
• When an international student secures an internship, they must get it approved by International Student Services. The approval process requires that you complete the internship enrollment process (below) AND submit a CPT Letter (details below), to Ariana Casas at acasas@uclaextension.edu.
• If there are any doubts about whether or not you are eligible to participate in an internship (CPT), it is best to consult with International Student Services to determine your eligibility.

Required Steps for International Students

To apply for permission to engage in an internship, you must follow these steps: 

1. For approval and enrollment, first contact the UCLA Extension internship administrator Ariana Casas at acasas@uclaextension.edu
2. Send a PDF of the Sample CPT Letter to your company and ask your supervisor a write the letter on their company letterhead based on the sample.
3. Submit the letter and the internship agreement forms to Ariana Casas via email at acasas@uclaextension.edu

The Entertainment Studies internship program allows students to receive credit for work performed with companies in the film, television, music and entertainment media communities. Students must work a minimum of 120 hours in total to receive 4 units of credit associated with this course. Reports are given to the instructor at the end of the internship outlining the work done and experience received. The final grade is based on this report.

International students requesting an internship are eligible to engage in a paid or unpaid internship that is directly related to his/her studies after 9 consecutive months of studying at UCLA Extension. International students participating in unpaid internships are limited to 20-hours per week. International students participating in paid internships may intern up to full time.

The company providing the internship should use the sample CPT letter (below) to write a letter to UCLA Extension's International Student Services on their company letterhead. Please indicate Paid/Unpaid and Full-time/Part-time in the letter. Students can only take one internship at a time.

Download a Sample CPT Letter (PDF)

_____________________________________________

SAMPLE CPT LETTER:
(Letter must be on company’s letterhead) 

Date/Month/Year 
International Student Services
Attn: Junko Takada
UCLA Extension
1145 Gayley Ave, Rm 115
Los Angeles, CA 90024

Re: ___Part/___Full-time ___Paid/_____Unpaid Internship for Mr./Ms.____________

Dear DSO,

Mr./Ms. ___________ is currently enrolled full-time in the __________ Certificated Program at UCLA Extension. S/he is seeking an opportunity to obtain needed experience in his/her field of study through the internship programs offered through the Entertainment Studies and Performing Arts Department at UCLA Extension.
 
Mr./Ms. ___________ ‘s proposed internship is an integral part of his/her academic program. S/he will receive 4 units of credit for this course. We understand Mr./Ms. _______, as an F-1 visa student, will receive authorization from the International Student Office to engage in the internship offered at our company, _______________ , on a unpaid/paid, part/full-time basis for _____ hours per week for ____ weeks from (month/date/year) to (month/date/year).

Sincerely,
Supervisor’s Signature

Name, Title and Email
Company Name
Address, Website
Phone and Fax