All CTMBA students must successfully complete a required internship in the summer between years one and two of the program to graduate. The purpose of this internship is to gain additional real-world business experience, improve strategic decision-making and problem solving skills, and to network with other working professionals in the Treasure Valley.
Find internship requirements and step-by-step instructions below.
Internship Requirements and Criteria
All of the following must be met to receive internship credit. Have questions after reviewing the following details? Contact the program director for more information.
- Internships must be at least part-time and exceed 135 hours minimum over the course of the summer. Ideally – but not required – internships should be paid and full-time (40 hours / week).*
- All 135+ hours must be completed by the end of summer term. Students have the option to continue their internship at the request of the organization.
- Must facilitate advanced student learning at a graduate level in either skill building or application.
- Provide meaningful career foundations for the student’s desired career path and encourage structured student initiative within reason. Summer internships do not have to be local, but can extend beyond the Treasure Valley.
- Have a detailed process for tracking student progress and results.
- The employer and their respective organization must demonstrate full commitment to the student’s internship objectives and requirements for completion. This includes, but is not limited to – supervision, coordination, facilitation of 135+ internship hours by the end of the summer term, providing resources for success and (typically) compensation.
*In some instances, students receive permission to complete an unpaid internship. Unpaid internships should be restricted to non-profit organizations or government agencies. It is also critical that unpaid internships be significant and provide meaningful networking opportunities for the student in their chosen career path.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step #1
Which internship best fits my career goals?
Take some time to think through which company and / or which internship opportunity will provide you with a desired career path post-MBA.
Once complete, take some time to research internship opportunities that are of interest to you. Remember, internships do not have to be local and 135+ hours must be completed by the end of the summer term. Here are some internship search resources:
Step #2
Internships must be approved by the internship coordinator
You must meet and stay in close communication with the program director / internship coordinator, Trisha Stevens Lamb, during your internship search process. Trisha will need to approve your internship choice (or choices) to ensure that all requirements are met before a final internship decision can be made.
You will be required to bring a completed copy of the MBA Internship Pre-Meeting Form to the initial meeting with Trisha. All forms and instructions will be emailed to you during year one of the program.
Step #3
Select an internship and begin working out the terms of your agreement
With Trisha’s input and approval, select an internship that meets all of the requirements and criteria for academic credit. Begin working out the terms of your internship with your organization’s internship supervisor.
Step #4
Complete the proper paperwork
Once you have worked out the terms of your internship with your organization’s internship supervisor, fill out the Internship Agreement Form* (emailed to you) and then send to Trisha at trishastevenslamb@boisestate.edu.
*If you were given an internship award letter from the organization, this can take the place of the Internship Agreement Form.
International students (only):
Must also fill out the Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Form to complete an internship. More information can be found on the Curricular Practical Training website. Please contact International Student Services (internationalinfo@boisestate.edu) with questions.
Step #5 – June 20 deadline
Enroll in MBA 590 (Hint – it’s different than you think!)
The deadline to enroll is June 20. Plan ahead and start the following process early-June. You cannot search and add like a typical course. Carefully follow the steps below and the Registrar’s office will add you to the course. Processing time to be added to this class can take up to 1-2 weeks so plan accordingly.
Steps to enroll for MBA 590:
- Complete the Internship Application for Academic Credit found on-line at the Career Center’s Gain Experience page. Instructions:
- Log in using their Boise State username and password
- After you log in click on the Internship Application for Academic Credit and hit the plus (+) sign to create your application
- Enter the required information
- Major: Business Administration F/T (full-time)
- Term: Summer 20XX (current year)
- Department: College of Business and Economics
- Subject: Career Track MBA
- Coordinator: Trisha Stevens Lamb
- Number of Internship Credit Hours: 00
- Click “Submit”
- Once submitted, the application will be routed via email to the department internship coordinator for approval.
- Once approved, it will then be routed to your organization supervisor for approval via email.
- Take the Internship Orientation training and quiz.
Step #6
Pay for your MBA 590 tuition
After step #5 is complete and MBA 590 has been added to your class schedule in myBoiseState, then you can pay for your internships credits. Here’s how to make a payment.
Step #7 – August 6 deadline
Submit the required deliverables
The following deliverables must be complete and submitted by August 6 to receive a passing grade. Students who don’t submit by this date will receive an ‘F’ in MBA 590 and delay graduation. Required deliverables include:
1. Internship evaluation form – Trisha will send your organization’s internship coordinator this paperwork directly. They are to complete the form and send it back to her by the deadline.
2. Reflection paper – students must write a reflection paper evaluating their experience. This paper is a reflection on the knowledge acquired from participating in the internship. The paper should be 3-5 pages double spaced in 11-point font with conventional margins. It should be well written and free of grammatical errors. The following topics are to be included:
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- Pertinent company information – this could include, but is not limited to, a brief history of the company, its competitive position in the marketplace, the current form of business organization (corporation, LLC, partnership, non-profit, etc.).
- Internship position and responsibilities – on an average day, what did you do on the job?
- Relevance to program – explain how your experience relates to the program. Include any observations you made during your internship that may have been directly or indirectly related to your business coursework. For example, what type of management style(s) did you notice? How does the organization market its products and/or services? Be sure to link specific theories and concepts from your business coursework to your practical experiences.
- Evaluation of the overall success of the internship – discuss the strengths and the weaknesses of your effort. If you were to repeat this experience, what would you change and why? Do you have any recommendations to make to your cooperating firm regarding business operations and/or the internship experience?
- Reflection – What did you learn from internship? Provide a summary of the values or lessons learned. What will you take away from this experience? How did it differ from your expectations? What did you learn about yourself and your own strengths and weaknesses? How will you go about addressing those weaknesses? In regards to your critical thinking and problem solving skills, what are some problems you can identify and how would you implement real-world solutions for better outcomes?
Completed papers should be submitted to Trisha at trishastevenslamb@boisestate.edu.
3. Internship presentations – an internship session will be held for your cohort. We will look for 7-10 volunteers to share the highlights of their internship with their classmates, incoming cohort and faculty. Date and time will be emailed to you after details have been solidified.