College of Art and Design Students
Lesley’s College of Art and Design offers several ways for students to gain professional experiences that prepare them for a career in the arts. Every program at LA+D integrates professional practice skillsets throughout all four years. There are dedicated courses in the capstone year to help our seniors transition from art and design students to emerging artists in the creative economy.
Students may complete an internship with an external organization (such as a museum, design firm or studio) or participate in one of our internal professional practice experiences at Lesley. The professional practice requirements help students better understand the business of their chosen major and connect classroom learning to real-world experiences. All art and design students are welcome to pursue an internship, though it is not required for all programs.
For students planning to complete an internship, each program offers a 1-credit preparatory Internship Seminar class. Students are required to take this course (recommended in the junior year) prior to searching for an internship. The Internship Seminar classes cover industry specific career research resources, networking skills, resume and cover letters, and interviewing best practices. The goal is to help students identify and pursue a high quality, meaningful, and satisfying internship experience.
Internship experiences have included museums, galleries, community-based arts organizations, and art journals including (but not limited to) the Museum of Fine Arts, Harvard University Museums, Institute of Contemporary Art, and Brookline Arts Center.
Typically completed in the junior or senior year, internships can be a valuable part of developing professional practices for students in all studio majors. Internships immerse students into the working world of a professional artist. Experiential learning of this type sharpens technical skills and provides opportunities for portfolio development. Internships can also lead to permanent positions and professional connections.
Students who are interested in pursuing an internship should speak with the chair of their department.
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BFA Programs with Required Internships
Students in Animation, Graphic Design, User Interface/User Experience (UI/UX) Design, and Visual Effects (VFX) have internship requirements as part of their program of study. Students can choose to do an external internship at a professional studio or enroll in a “Community Studio” course to fulfill the internship requirement. Community Studios are faculty-lead internship classes where students gain industry experience through working on a professional project with an outside organization. Students in these BFA programs who choose to pursue an external internship must consult with their department chair to carefully vet the internship site—to ensure that they gain experience in their chosen field of study with the supervision of an expert.
Internships experiences include large scale animations for operas, animation companies, non-profits, film festivals, film production, design studios, advertising + branding agencies, interactive studios, and publishing. Students should speak with their department chair to determine whether an internal or external internship is right for them.