FAQs

Q: Does the School of Sustainability require an internship?

A: Yes, all undergraduate students are required to complete an approved internship as part of their Capstone requirements. Students must obtain an appropriate internship and enroll in SOS 484 Capstone Internship credit at the same time. Students enrolled in the ASU Online program may complete a Directed Study in place of an internship in approved cases.

• Effective Summer 2023 and beyond, School of Sustainability undergraduates are no longer required to complete SOS 484 Capstone Internship. Students are encouraged to  complete internships and enroll in SOS 484 Elective credit if desired.

Q: Do students find and secure their own internship?

A: Yes. The process is similar to finding a job. Students need to identify opportunities that align with their interests, skill level, academic schedule, and location. Part of the learning process includes identifying suitable opportunities, and applying and interviewing for them. The School of Sustainability offers support and advisement in this process, but ultimately the student is responsible for securing an appropriate internship and registering for credit.

Q: Can I get credit for the internship I did last summer?

A: We cannot approve retroactive credit. The student must complete the internship and be enrolled in credit at the same time. The course contains assignments related to the internship experience. Some students may have the opportunity to extend an internship into the following semester, and register for credit at that time. But credit cannot be awarded for an internship completed in the past.

Q: What terms are internship credit offered?

A: SOS 484 is offered in C session during fall, spring, and summer terms. Remember, summer tuition applies. 

Q: I currently work in the field of sustainability, can I use my job to fulfill the internship requirement?    

A:  You cannot get internship credit for a job that you currently hold, but there may be opportunity to create an internship within the same company. The experience must be a NEW one for you, separate from your regular responsibilities, and directly related to sustainability. Your current employer would need to be in support of this proposal. This is generally only recommended in special situations for full-time working students. See the Create an Internship section of this site for more information.

Q: I don't live in Arizona, how can I find an internship where I live?

A: Luckily, the process for securing an internship is the same in any location and many students complete internships outside of the state of Arizona. Review the list of internships by state to see if anyone in your location has completed an internship. Get ideas from internships students have done in the past and see what is available near you. Research your local city or town government websites, utility providers, local non-profits, environmental or conservation organizations, state parks, zoos, etc.

Visit the Chamber of Commerce website to connect with organizations, use LinkedIn to see if any ASU or SOS alumni are in your area and connect with them. Look at your local city or town governments, local non-profits.  Also see Create an Internship section for more information