The Anthropology Department Internship Program

The Department of Anthropology internship program, begun in Spring 2007, places 15 students in semester-long internships in the spring and fall semesters, and five students in the summer semester.  Prospective interns must apply for the program early during the semester before the internship would begin and attend several orientation sessions intended to provide guidance in finding or creating an internship, as well as preparing résumés and cover letters.  Interns take two co-requisite courses to support the internship experience.  For ANTH 3376H, “Internship in Anthropology,” students complete 300 agency work hours and keep a weekly ethnographic journal.  The internship coordinator, Mr. Neill Hadder, conducts an on-site interview with the intern’s supervisor, plus an additional exit interview.  Course grades are assigned on the basis of these three components.  In ANTH 3375U, “Community Research Project,” students meet in a seminar format to discuss readings related to anthropological practice in the fields represented by their internships, plus learn relevant methodological skills.  Students write a 7-10 page ethnographic report about their internship site and its broader cultural context.

Typical internships for anthropology majors include cultural museums, non-profit community service agencies, local heritage tourist sites, eco-tourism agencies, community development agencies, the legislative House Research Organization, historic preservation firms, human rights organizations, primate houses at local zoos, and many more, depending on the student’s subfield within anthropology.

Eligibility. Eligible students must have an overall GPA of at least 2.5 and be seniors majoring in Anthropology. Junior Anthropology majors who have attended Texas State for at least two years are also eligible to apply.

Application Process and Deadlines. The first orientation session is held shortly before mid-term and is announced in an e-mail to all anthropology majors.  Also see postings in the departmental office.  There is no standard application form or fixed deadline.  Prospective interns write a statement of purpose as the main component of their internship application, which must be approved by the internship coordinator before a student can approach potential placement sites.  Students must attend orientation sessions, work directly with the internship coordinator, and ultimately obtain an internship placement before they will be allowed to enroll in ANTH 3375U and 3376H.  Because space is limited, applications will be assessed on (1) the strength of the statement of purpose; (2) preparedness, demonstrated by coursework and prior life experience; and (3) GPA.  For more information, contact: