Ground Campus Students
How to get started:
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.
Please thoroughly explore this site for information and resources, starting with the "Program Overview" section which explains the internship requirement and provides information on planning your experience.
"Find an Internship" provides resources for finding internship opportunities.
"Register for Credit" explains the pre-reqs and registration process for adding SOS 484
At any time, you may schedule an appointment with the SOS Internship Coordinator to further discuss your ideas and options.
Patrick Cassup, intern at Phoenix Herpetological Society
Here are the main ways campus based students complete the Capstone Internship requirement:
Traditional internship
The majority of students complete traditional internships, either in person or virtual. Students find internships either through posted opportunities or by creating their own internships with local organizations by direct outreach and networking. Please review the Find an Internship resources in this site, which apply to both Online and Tempe campus based students. Two important resources are: Handshake (ASU-wide job and internship posting site) and SustainabilityConnect (School of Sustainability posting site), though you are not limited to these sites. Internships may be paid or unpaid, review internship criteria for details.
Work Variance
Some students create a sustainability internship opportunity within their current place of employment. This is a good option for students working for an organization with sustainability related opportunities, who have support from their employer, and who may wish to further their career or diversify their experience with their current employer. More information is included under the "Create an Internship" section of this site. note: this option is only available to undergraduate students
Faculty Directed Research / SURE Program
ASU faculty may be directing research projects that need student support. Opportunities for faculty directed research can be found on SustainabilityConnect, or by reaching out directly to faculty and inquiring. Opportunities would almost always be unpaid.
The SURE program (Sustainability Undergraduate Research Experience) offers faculty directed research projects that may meet capstone internship requirements. Only available in spring terms, apply in October. In person and remote opportunities. Review website for program details, list of projects, and application. note: this option is only available to undergraduate students
Global Virtual Internship Program / Study Abroad Programs
The ASU Study Abroad Office manages a Global Virtual Internship Program which allows students of all majors to complete a fully remote internship with an international (or domestic) organization, and requires no travel. Term options include A, B, or C session options. Since this is a placement based program, there is an application fee. Internships are unpaid. Pre-approved to meet SOS 484 credit requirements. Spring, Fall, Summer options available. See website for details. note: this option is only available to undergraduate students
Some students choose to complete internships as part of their study abroad experience. These opportunities will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, with additional information here.
Graduate Students:
Graduate students may wish to use the provided resources in this site to find internship opportunities. Most opportunities are open to both graduate and undergraduate students. Many graduate students complete internships but do not register for credit. However, graduate students are eligible to register for SOS 584 Internship credit for qualifying internships.
Make sure to discuss with your degree program advisor about how this credit may count toward degree requirements and remember that graduate tuition applies. Credit is available during fall, spring, and summer terms.
See the Register for Credit section for application process and due date details.