To graduate with a BFA in graphic design, students are required to either take the graphic design in Europe trip (not always offered) or serve an internship. This is typically done during the summer between the student's junior and senior years, although some students choose to have an internship earlier or to serve multiple internships.

 

Internships must last a minimum of 8 weeks and must provide an an opportunity for the student to actively further his or her design education. The graphic design internship is worth 3 credits and is graded upon completion of evaluations by the student's employer and of a comprehensive internship report explaining the student's experience. Students are assessed tuition for 3 credits of summer class.

 

Participants are free to arrange an internship with the firm of their choice; the program does not establish positions for any student. Many students are able to find paid internship opportunities, but typically not all students elect to pursue positions with compensation.

 

Students in the program have interned everywhere from Ames and Des Moines to Minneapolis, Boston, and even London, England. Employers have ranged from small design firms to newspapers to large advertising agencies.