Sports Internships and College Credit: How Does It Work?

Updated January 28, 2019

It’s never too early (or late) to start thinking about a sports internship. Many college programs in fields like sports management or exercise science require an internship as part of the requirements for graduation. The good news is that many organizations in the sports industry are willing to partner with colleges and universities to offer internships for college credit, which makes it easier as a college student to find opportunities.

Where to look for a sports internship

A great place to start looking for a sports internship is in the area around your college or hometown. Your professors, mentors, coaches, family, and friends may also know of opportunities for you to investigate. If you have an academic advisor at your school, it’s most likely part of their job to help you find an internship that will benefit your studies (whether it’s marketing, sales, management, etc.) and future career success in sports.

JobsInSports.com has a great search engine to find sports internships around the United States. Many organizations, like sports teams, summer camps, and athletic clubs, post internship openings on their website. It’s common to see job listings for college credit posted in winter or early spring in preparation for summer hiring.

Here are some ideas to get your brainstorming started:

• Professional leagues with summer seasons, like MLS and WNBA
• MLB and its minor league affiliates
• Sport governing bodies, like USA Hockey, US Skiing, USA Gymnastics, etc.
• Health clubs and gyms
• Youth sports camps, both local and national

Interested in a sports internship abroad?

If you’re interested in an overseas internship, consider websites like World Endeavors, StudyAbroad.com, and GoAbroad.com. These international sites offer opportunities to travel the world while you gain experience in your field of study.

Remember that while internships for college credit are typically unpaid internships, they offer an amazing opportunity for hands-on learning and on-the-job experience that can lead to employment opportunities upon graduation. Sports internship supervisors will notice eager and hard-working interns, and the networking connections made during an internship can have a lasting influence on your career.

Can you get college credit for a paid internship?

No. Paid internships are different from those for college credit (unpaid). In paid internships (not for credit), an organization will create its own contract detailing your responsibilities, the number of hours you’re expected to log, and how much you’ll be paid. In internships for credit, you still need to work a certain number of hours to meet the guidelines of your school to receive credit. You might also need to meet certain criteria laid out by a faculty member acting as the sponsor of your sports internship.

How many credits can you get for an internship?

College credits can range from three to as many as 12, and this depends on the number of hours you’ve worked at your sports internship. Additionally, it’s possible the skills you learn while on the job may be worth additional credits. Be sure to ask your school and the hiring organization how they participate together for college credit to understand what counts and who’s eligible.

Do I have to pay for internship credits?

It depends. Some schools require that students pay per credit hour for a summer sports internship, while others roll the cost into the fall college tuition. Keep in mind that while an internship can get you college credit, these are unpaid.

How do you land a sports internship?

Finding a job listing is not even half of the battle. To land an internship for college credit, you must be prepared:

• Maintain a high GPA, as most internships will require a 3.0 or higher.
• Have a good resume and cover letter. There are many resources for this, and many job searches will have a review option.
• Know who you’re applying for. You should know what your duties and responsibilities will be beyond being motivated, personable, and a team player. Most internships in sports will require that you interact with the public, as well as your peers and employers, and maybe even the players.
• Prepare specific questions about the internship itself based on the information you gather when you look at the listing and company. This will show that you’re both interested and attentive.
• Determine if your college tuition covers the credits or if it’s your financial responsibility.

Search our sports internship job board today

Looking for a great place to begin your job search? Join Jobs In Sports today, the largest sports job board available. Get direct access to the best internships in sports available in the NBA, NFL, and MLB. You may find the job of your dreams before you know it.