Calling & Vocation
Internships
Ready for some experience and hands-on training? Life Pacific University believes in the value of experiential education. All students in the traditional programs are required to participate in an experiential-based internship once they enter upper division studies. Internships provide students with marketable skills and real-world experience to strengthen their resume and put their education into practice. Below, current students will find information about the internship program & requirements, the types of internships offered, and how to apply.
PROGRAM INFORMATION
Our internships are a valuable experience that provide Life Pacific University students with the opportunity to serve and work in their field of study in order to develop marketable skills, grow in leadership and relational skills, apply their education to real-world contexts, and to grow their professional network. Internship experience greatly increases a student’s employability for when they graduate and allows students to develop a better sense of the career path they may want to pursue after graduation.
Students are encouraged to take advantage of as many internship opportunities they can get their hands on. In order for a student to participate in an internship program for academic credit, they must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 and be an approved upper division student by the Registrar’s Office. Students then also complete LPU’s student internship application form with the Office of Calling and Vocation and have been approved in other areas such as Student Life, and Financial Aid and The Registrar’ Office. Students will be interviewed by LPU-approved host sites of interest with final approval granted from the Office of Calling and Vocation and the prospective host site. Some degrees may have pre-requisites or other processes inlcuded before a student can apply for an internship with academic credit. Please contact your Program Chair or the Office of Calling and Vocation for verification.
COLLEGE OF THEOLOGY AND MINISTRY
Ministry Internships – Bible, Transformational Ministry, Worship Arts & Media
Designed for students who are called to ministry within the local church. These internships will develop each individual’s capacity to both serve and lead in their area of vocational calling. Students will have opportunities to engage in hands-on ministry and will better define their sense of calling and understanding of their ministry calling. These internships will place students in the geographic locations they would like to serve upon graduation. Throughout the course of the internship students will learn how ministry is taking place in these locations, and how they can participate in what God is doing. Please contact the Office of Calling and Vocation for Host Site opportunities.
If you are interested in becoming a Life Pacific University Internship Host Site, please email Kristina Stover.
College of Arts and Sciences
Business Internships
Designed or students who are interested in working for or starting their own business or non-profit organization. Administration, leadership, servanthood, financial management, and planning and development are just some of the components of these internships. Students involved in a business internship will gain hands-on experience in order to equip them to be effective and highly valued members of businesses and/or to be imaginative leaders who develop their own organizations.
Human Development Internships
This program of study is intended for students planning to pursue a career in the helping professions (family ministry, social work, children or adult services, those who desire to do graduate work for certification in a variety of fields: counseling; clinical, educational, or counseling psychology; marriage and family therapy; human development; or social work). Those considering careers in education may also find this a good foundation for continuing on to certification.
Mass Communications Internships
The Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication is designed to equip students to be effective communicators in a broad variety of settings as leaders prepared to serve God in the church, the workplace, and the world. Students will develop competencies in five broad areas: effective communication skills, communication theory and inquiry, creative and critical thinking, global awareness and civic engagement, and biblical integration.
If you are interested in becoming a Life Pacific University Internship Site or Agency, please email Josh Ortega.
Application
If you are interested in completing an internship for personal development and without earning LPU credit, you will work directly with the prospective internship site to apply. If you are upper-division approved, you can begin the internship application process with LPU to receive academic credit.
All students must first schedule a meeting with their Program Chair to identify their internship goals. The Program Chair will then direct the student to the Office of Calling and Vocation, when appropriate, to begin the internship application process. All internships must be approved by the Program Chair, through the internship application process. If you have any additional questions, please reach out to the Office of Calling and Vocation or schedule a Zoom appointment.
Deadlines
Fall 2022
TBD
Spring 2023
TBD
Interested in Becoming a Host Site?
We are always taking applications for organizations interested in becoming internship host sites. Please submit your host site application at least two months prior to your anticipated internship start date to allow the Office of Calling and Vocation ample time to process your application.Â
FAQ
What are the requirements I need to meet in order to apply for an internship?
In order to be eligible to apply for an internship completed for credit, you need a minimum GPA of 2.0, be up to date on your Ministry Formation requirements, be cleared by the Office of Student Development and have no balance to pay for the previous semester. Students must also complete the internship application and submit it to the Office of Ministry Formation. Students must have obtained upper division status to meet internship requirements. They must also be interviewed and approved by the host site. Only LPU approved host sites are applicable for internship course (MIN370, PSYC470, BUS370, COM470, WAM462, WAM470) credit.
What are my requirements for involvement in an internship?
Requirements vary depending on whether an internship is completed during the semester or during the summer. See the Ministry Formation office for more details.
Do I receive credit for completing an internship?
Yes. A completed, approved internship equals 3 units.
How much is the cost of completing an internship?
An internship completed for credit in general costs $1,863 ($621 per unit x 3 units = $1,863). Other fees or costs may apply depending on the internship. See the Financial Aid office with questions regarding financing your education.
Who should enroll in this program?
All students who are eligible for upper-division courses may enroll in the Internship course, but internships without academic credit may be done at any time and is highly encouraged. Internships are one of the top three topics employers look for in a candidate for employment. Involvement in at least two total internships is highly encouraged by the Office of Calling and Vocation.
What is the program schedule?
Schedules differ from internship to internship. Students typically spend 10-20 hours per week, but some summer sites may offer up to 40 hours per week. The minimum requirement for students working in an internship is 150 hours over the course of the internship.
Office of Calling & Vocation
Office Hours: 8am-5pm PT, Monday – Friday
Call or Text: (909) 599-5433
Email: ocv@lifepacific.edu