Boston University Internships: A Comprehensive Guide for College Students

Boston University (BU) offers a wealth of internship opportunities for college students, providing invaluable real-world experience and career development. These internships span various fields and cater to diverse academic interests and professional goals. This guide provides a detailed overview of the internship programs available at BU, both on and off campus, and highlights resources to help students find the perfect internship to complement their studies.

Internship Programs in London

Boston University's Internship Program in London offers a unique opportunity for students to gain international work experience. The program is structured into two phases: a Core Phase and an Internship Phase.

Core Phase

During the first five weeks, students participate in a Core Phase, taking a required core course specific to their chosen study area or internship track. This course prepares them for their upcoming internships. Students also take one elective course, each course being worth four credits. Crucially, students meet with the program’s internship placement advisers to refine their area of work placement according to ability, professional goals, experience, and work habits.

Internship Phase

The internship phase spans weeks six through thirteen. Students are immersed in London’s work life through full-time internships, four days a week. They also enroll in a weekly elective course and an internship course, each worth four credits. Students are automatically enrolled in the appropriate Internship Course assigned to their track. For their elective course, students are encouraged to enroll in the course specifically designed for their track/internship. It is important to note that students participating in this program cannot simply select any four courses. Instead, they need to choose a “Core Course,” an “Internship Course,” one elective offered during the first half of the semester, and another elective offered during the second half of the semester.

Note: To determine whether a particular course will be offered, you will need to look at the course catalog for the Boston University Internship Program.

On-Campus Internship Opportunities at BU

Interning at BU offers convenience and exposure to various aspects of the university. Several BU offices offer internships to current undergraduates.

CAS Internship Program

The CAS Internship Program offers a two-credit course (CAS IN 299) that CAS undergraduates can take alongside an approved internship. In addition, various CAS departments or programs have credit-bearing internship courses available to their majors/minors. The EL Connector partners with select BU offices to make available each semester a number of on-campus internship placements. Students selected for these on-campus internships are expected to take IN 299 while they intern.

Office of Student Programs & Leadership (OSPL)

The Office of Student Programs & Leadership (OSPL) often seeks students to assist in managing social media accounts, designing promotional materials, and overseeing general marketing and communication efforts within OSPL.

Center for Interdisciplinary Teaching & Learning (CITL)

As a student at the College of General Studies, you’ll have access to support in finding internship opportunities through the Center for Interdisciplinary Teaching & Learning (CITL). Thanks to alumni and parent philanthropic support, the Center provides limited funding support to students participating in unpaid external internships, places students in opportunities within the college, and pairs students with alumni-hosted internships.

Off-Campus Internship Resources

Finding an off-campus internship requires time and persistence, but BU provides ample resources to support students in their search.

Read also: Unlock summer legal internships

Center for Career Development

It is highly recommended that you begin your search with BU’s Center for Career Development.

Handshake

Check out Handshake for a list of current opportunities.

BU Connects

Many undergraduates have also had success funding internships by networking through BU Connects.

EL Connector

Be sure to view the Connector’s crowd-sourced list of where CAS undergraduates have interned in the past. The list is Kerberos-password protected, and you can filter it by major or type of internship.

Summer Internship Support Program

The Summer Internship Support Program at Boston University's College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) offers financial assistance to students pursuing internships in the Greater Boston area during the summer.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate degree program in the College of Arts and Sciences. The internship must be based at a professional or nonprofit site in the Greater Boston area and involve in-person participation from the intern. Applicants must also provide a recommendation from someone familiar with their academic and/or professional experience who can speak to their maturity, motivation, and ability to follow through on commitments.

Application Deadlines

The priority deadline for submitting an application for summer 2025 is March 19, 2025. The final deadline for submitting an application for summer 2025 is April 30, 2025.

Selection Process

A Selection Committee composed of BU CAS faculty and staff will review all completed applications submitted by each deadline. Consideration will be given to the strength of the applicant’s materials and the relevance of the internship placement to the applicant’s course of study and/or career aspirations. The Committee will also take into consideration additional factors, such as: the duration of the internship; the number of hours per week the applicant will be interning; and the applicant’s financial need. While receiving compensation from the placement site does not disqualify a student from the Summer Internship Support Program, preference will be given to students with high-commitment, unpaid or low-paying internships. Selected students will be provided with an air-conditioned room in a Boston University residence hall during the 12-week Summer Term.

Micro-Internships through Parker Dewey

Students and recent graduates from all majors can gain real-world experience by completing short-term, paid, typically-remote, professional projects through Parker Dewey. These unique projects are posted at all times of year by companies of all sizes, from Fortune 100 corporations to emerging startups. There is no official cutoff, but Parker Dewey is designed to help early career professionals launch their careers. Projects completed through Parker Dewey are available to international students who are either affiliated with one of our partner programs or those attending a US-based college or university. Micro-Internships fill fast!

Skills and Knowledge

Employers place a high priority on “skills and knowledge that cut across majors”-especially oral communication, critical thinking, collaboration, and written communication. Through Capstone and College of General Studies courses, CGS students build the skills employers need.

Success Stories

BU alumni have leveraged their experiences into successful careers. Emma Johnson (CGS’17, COM’19) designed faux-fur key chains that landed on Oprah’s Favorite Things list. Morgan Cheung does a #Terriertakeover during his internship. Christine Mastrangelo (CGS’00, CAS’02) parlayed her English major into a career mixing business and social justice at the venture capital firm Cue Ball Capital.

Research Programs for High School Students at Boston University

Boston University offers a variety of research programs for high school students, providing them with opportunities to engage in advanced learning and research.

RISE Internship and Practicum Program

The RISE Internship and Practicum program is a two-track program that is conducted at Boston University every summer. At this program, you will spend six weeks conducting lab research and advancing your skills in the field. For the internship, students will be assigned a research project and mentor, and work 40 hours a week. Students on this track will have the opportunity to choose their research topic from a list of many. For the practicum track, students will conduct group research focused on computational neurobiology.

Program in Mathematics for Young Scientists (PROMYS)

The Program in Mathematics for Young Scientists, or PROMYS, is a six-week intensive mathematics program designed for students across the globe. The program is held on Boston University’s campus. There are daily “Number Theory” lectures, and a great deal of independence for students to choose their own schedules and decide what they would like to study. In addition to the extensive learning opportunities, there is also “mandatory fun time” built into the weekly schedule so that students are able to have non-math related activities.

Other Programs

Hosting Institution: PolygenceApplication Deadline: Oct 27, 2025Recommended for you: CategoriesBiology, Business, Chemistry, Computer Sci, Econ, Engineering, Humanities, Medicine, Neuro, PsychologyExplore the programHosting Institution: PolygenceApplication Deadline: Varies by programShort coursesCategories Biology, Computer Science, Economics, Engineering, Humanities, Mathematics, OtherExplore the program

Summer Programs at Boston University

Boston University provides a range of summer programs designed to offer high school students a taste of college life and academics. These programs vary in length and focus, catering to different interests and academic levels.

High School Honors

High School Honors offers high school students the chance to experience college life in Boston, studying alongside BU undergraduates. Participants can earn up to 8 college credits across various subjects like biology, economics, and philosophy. With access to BU's esteemed faculty and resources, students receive academic advising and support. Engaging in social activities, they forge connections with peers from diverse backgrounds. The program, available to both commuters and residents, provides a rich educational and social experience, preparing students for future academic endeavors while fostering lifelong friendships.

Summer Challenge

The Boston University Summer Challenge is a two-week residential program designed for rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Participants select two seminars from a diverse range of academic topics, engaging in lectures, discussions, projects, and field trips with small class sizes for individual attention. Alongside academic challenges, students partake in an admissions workshop offering insights into the college application process. The program fosters a close-knit community, providing opportunities for social interaction and exploration of Boston. Applicants must submit a personal statement and high school transcript, with admission decisions made on a rolling basis. The program emphasizes academic motivation and offers an immersive college experience, encouraging personal growth and exploration of interests. Seminars range from Abnormal Psychology to Persuasive Writing among others. It’s called Summer Challenge because it pushes you in so many ways. You will explore your interests, discover new ones, test your academic boundaries, and immerse yourself in the college experience. Along the way, you will make new friends and get to know more about Boston University. Are you up to the challenge?

Summer Preview

Boston University's Summer Preview program for high school students offers both residential and commuter options. The program includes morning seminars and afternoon activities such as campus tours, aquarium visits, and workshops. Meals are provided with dietary accommodations available. Residential students participate in evening activities until curfew, while commuters have the option to join. COVID-19 guidelines are followed, emphasizing vaccination and university policies.

Academic Immersion: Creative Writing

Intensive three-week writing program. Academic Immersion: Creative Writing is offered in partnership with BU’s MFA Program in Creative Writing, one of the oldest and most prestigious programs in the nation. Develop confidence in your creative writing abilities through constructive critique and feedback.

Boston University Tanglewood Institute (BUTI)

A chance to learn from and collaborate with musicians from the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Tanglewood Music Center at BUTI. While at the program, you’ll get to experience a unique community of musicians - both peers and professionals - as well as attend Boston Symphony Orchestra events. In order to gain acceptance at Tanglewood, you have to nail an audition. You may apply for multiple disciplines, but will have to fill out applications and audition for each of them.

AIM High School Program

Three-week program. AIM’s premedical track will provide you with a broad introduction to the field of medicine, combining coursework in related sciences with experiential learning activities and explorations of the various career possibilities that exist within the field.

AI4All

AI4All is a three-week summer program tailored for high school juniors, particularly young women, aimed at delving into the realm of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Throughout the program, participants will engage in various AI topics such as robotics, computer vision, and natural language processing. This will be facilitated through team projects, industry field trips, and presentations delivered by guest speakers. The program culminates with a small group research project where participants showcase their findings through presentations to friends and family. Overall, AI4All offers a unique opportunity for young women to immerse themselves in AI exploration and development during their high school years.

The Artemis Project

The Artemis Project is a five-week summer program aimed at rising 9th grade girls, offering a deep dive into computer science. Participants engage with various programming languages including Scratch, AppInventor, HTML, CSS, and Python. They explore diverse topics such as robotics, cryptography, artificial intelligence, and circuits. The program emphasizes practical application, showcasing how computer science concepts are utilized in real-world scenarios through guest speaker sessions and field trips. Led by Boston University undergraduate students, it offers a hands-on learning environment to inspire and empower young women in the field of technology.

The Emerging United States

The Emergence of Modern Europe; The Emerging United States; Catastrophe and Memory; among others. Earn up to 8 college credits that you can apply to your future studies. While at BU, you will share dorm life and social activities with students from the Research in Science & Engineering (RISE) program. To help you get to know everyone, and become familiar with the BU campus, and Boston, we plan a variety of fun group events during the first week. After that, each weekend has a planned activity along with some optional activities during the week. Your weeknights are free for homework, impromptu activities, and time with friends until curfew. Take a look at our Program Activities below to see the types of exciting events we plan.

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