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Internships and Study Abroad

a student standing in front of an aquatic zoo exhibit

Internships and Study Abroad

The Environmental Studies & Sciences Program encourages students to pursue hands-on experiences that complement their academic studies and prepare them for meaningful professional opportunities.

Through partnerships with organizations such as the Memphis Zoo, Wolf River Conservancy, Greening Greater Memphis, Project Green Fork, Livable Memphis, Bridges USA, Shelby Farms Park Conservancy, local government agencies, and other business and community foundations, students gain valuable opportunities to explore career paths and build a professional network—both in Memphis and beyond.

Internships are one way to fulfill the Environmental Experience requirement for all Environmental Studies & Sciences majors and minors.

Internships (ENVS 460, F11 Credit)

  1. Eligibility and Planning:
    Before pursuing an internship, students must consult with the chair of the Environmental Studies & Sciences Program. To qualify, students must have a minimum GPA of 2.50 in both their major and overall. Internships are typically reserved for juniors and seniors.
  2. Time Commitment and Community Engagement:
    Students are expected to dedicate at least 10 hours per week to their internship (paid or unpaid) over a 14-week semester (140 total hours). Internships should offer significant and sustained engagement with Memphis-area professionals addressing environmental issues, policies, or practices.
  3. Application Process:
    Students must complete the  in the semester prior to their planned internship. This allows students to indicate their top five preferred internship sites or propose their own. The Center for Career and Professional Development maintains an updated list of environmentally related internships. The application must be approved by the program chair.
  4. Course Enrollment and Academic Requirements:
    Students must enroll in 1–4 credit hours of ENVS 460. All options carry F11 credit. The number of credits depends on the student’s academic schedule and the extent of academic work involved in the internship.
    • For 1–2 credits, students are required to:
      • Maintain a weekly journal documenting and reflecting on their fieldwork.
      • Submit a 1-page, single-spaced essay connecting their coursework to their internship experience.
    • For 3–4 credits, students must:
      • Complete the above requirements.
      • Attend a weekly class led by Career Services (one absence permitted per semester).
  5. Grading:
    Students will be graded (A-F) based on the quality of their written work as well as input from their internship supervisor.

Other institutional requirements and rules pertaining to internships may be found on the The ENVS Program recognizes that GPA may not reflect a student's full potential in professional or field-based settings and encourages all eligible students to apply.

Sample of Resources for Internships

Memphis Zoo Internships

Study Abroad

Policy for Applying Study Abroad Courses to the ENVS Major or Minor

Courses taken abroad may count toward the Environmental Studies & Sciences major or minor only if:

  • They are approved by both an academic department or program at ¹û¶³ÊÓƵ and the ENVS program chair.
  • They include significant and sustained engagement with environmental issues.
  • Course syllabi and descriptions are submitted for approval before departing the U.S.

According to ¹û¶³ÊÓƵ College policy, students must complete at least 50% of their coursework at ¹û¶³ÊÓƵ. No more than half of the major or minor course requirements may be transferred from other institutions.

Some Environmentally Focused Study Abroad/Study Experiences with pre-approved ENVS course credit