Marketing Internship: Earn Credit for Your Internship

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Marketing Internship Instructions

Marketing 567

  • To receive academic credit for your internship, you must enroll in MKTG567 (Marketing Internship).
  • See the Steps for Securing an Academic Credit Internship below and complete the course requirements as prescribed by San Francisco State University.
  • Both the internship and MKTG567 must happen simultaneously. 
  • Your site supervisor must be willing to mentor you and complete an evaluation of your performance at the end of the internship term.

Prerequisites

  • Seek and secure an internship relevant to marketing prior to the start of the semester.
  • Obtain departmental verification and signature approval (from the Institute of Civic and Community Engagement, ICCE) before you enroll in the course.
  • Marketing majors who have taken MKTG431 with a passing grade (no concurrent enrollment).

Hours, Pay, and Location Requirements

  • A minimum of 100 hours and no more than 120 hours.
  • The internship can be paid or unpaid. 
  • Work can be anywhere in the U.S. as long as the company is willing to supervise you and complete an evaluation.

International Students

  • International students with F-1 or J-1 visa status can earn credit for internships.
  • However, international students must get an approved Curricular Practical Training (CPT) to earn academic credit internships.
  • Other non-immigration visa holders (e.g., H-4, J-2, etc) must adhere to their visa regulations.
  • Please visit the Office of International Program to learn more and get advice. 

Course Instructor Contact

  • If you have any questions, please contact Professor Deanna Wang at wangh@sfsu.edu.

Steps for Securing an Academic Credit Internship

Refer to the following internship resources:

Start by getting assistance with developing your resume and cover letter, and preparing for interviews: 

Carefully prepare your application materials early. Taking this vital first step boosts your chance of getting a rewarding internship. 

Option A - Find an internship with organizations listed in ULink:

Option B - Find an internship with organizations not listed in ULink:

  • Search external websites, such as Handshake, Indeed, LinkedIn, and Glassdoor, or use personal connections to find an internship.
  • Ensure the internship duties are related to marketing to align with MKTG567 course goals.
  • If needed, consult MKTG567 instructor beforehand to confirm your desired internship meets the eligibility standards for course credit.  

CSU requires all internships to be vetted before students start. Confirm your placement and request ICCE approval before you enroll in MKTG567. 

How to request the required forms?

  • Visit the ICCE website to Request Required Form.
  • If you choose Option A in Step 2, follow Roadmap 1.
  • If you choose Option B in Step 2, follow Roadmap 2. 

Next, you must request ICCE to send you the Student Informed Consent packet via DocuSign to electronically sign it.

After you submit your Request Required Form, ICCE will send you a Student Informed Consent & COVID-19 Info packet via DocuSign. 

You may begin your placement only after your signed consent forms are received and verified by the University.

Once ICCE has formally reviewed and approved your internship (Step 4), you may enroll in MKTG567. To do so:

  • Complete the MKTG567 Permission Code Request Form. This online questionnaire will provide the necessary registration clearance. 
  • Input the permission code in your student enrollment portal. 
Request Permission Code

A "learning plan" is a document that captures information that will help you, your internship site supervisor, and your course instructor to have an understanding of your internship information.

  • Download the General Learning Plan at the link below.
  • Students must fill out Section II (Student Data).
  • Learning site supervisor must fill out Section III (Learning Placement Site Information).
  • Both the student and site supervisor must sign and send it electronically to the course instructor, Professor Deanna Wang, at wangh@sfsu.edu.

During your internship, you're required to log your working hours:

  • Log in your completed hours in ULink if the internship organization is registered in ULink.
  • If your organization is not listed on ULink, talk to your course instructor for guidance on how to report your working hours.  

Opportunities in San Francisco

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Community Partner: AMA SF Externship Academy

The American Marketing Association SF Externship Academy aims to provide small businesses and organizations marketing-related assistance with Externs, young marketing professionals and graduate students, who act as marketing consultants. Extern’s volunteer their time and effort in exchange for a real life marketing experience focused on increasing knowledge and career development. Likewise, these organizations and business professionals gain marketing material, strategies, and ideas curated to their needs and business goals. 

Eleven externs participated in the 2023 Cohort of the American Marketing Association San Francisco Chapter Externship Academy. The four mouth hybrid program provided externs the opportunity to work with a Bay Area based small business including Los Altos Women's Acupuncture Clinic, Arete Dance Center, and JUMA Ventures. 

 

Learn more about the AMA SF Externship Academy

Hear from Our Interns

⭐️ 1. Industry Insight & Real-World Experience

“I enjoyed getting real marketing experience that helped me improve my networking skills in order to gain more connections. I would recommend this program for any students who want first-hand experience to know what it is like working in a professional team, as this was a perfect opportunity for me to gain industry insights into marketing.”

⭐️ 2. Skill Development & Career Clarity

“I am glad that I was able to get this experience so that I have a better idea of what it would be like to work in marketing. I also learned that I really enjoy social media marketing and would love to find a position in the future that involves this.”

⭐️ 3. Website Design & UX Focus

“Although my initial expectations were about learning multiple perspectives of marketing, the hands-on experience in website design proved to be valuable in its own right. By mastering Wix and designing captivating websites, I not only gained practical skills, but also developed a keen eye for user experience and digital aesthetics.”

⭐️ 4. AI Integration & Creative Collaboration

“My co-workers taught me how to utilize AI tools like Speechify, ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, and Claude to solve problems and brainstorm creative ideas for our website project.”

⭐️ 5. Presentation & Professional Growth

“Our mentors created plenty of workshops to develop marketing and self-development skills. The final presentation at the Google Community Center allowed all interns to showcase their projects to local marketing leaders. It was a professional environment I had never experienced before.”

⭐️ 6. Rebranding & Client Engagement

“Working on the rebranding project for this client was a highlight of my experience. It gave me hands-on experience in website redesign, partnership marketing, and social media strategy—while also teaching me client communication and cultural sensitivity.”