Master of Museum Studies (MMSt) Internship

Course Credit

The MMSt internship (MSL3000HY) is a 0.5 credit (CR) elective course offered in the Summer Term to our MMSt and CDP students.

• • The internship is not required for completion of the degree.
  • The internship needs to fulfill a minimum of 280 hours to a maximum of 420 hours to meet the academic requirements of the course.
  • The actual work schedule is to be determined between the student and supervisor.

Internship Duration

How to Apply

• • Enrol and successfully complete MSL3900H — The Emerging Professional prior to enrolling into the internship course (MSL3000H).
  • Enrol into MSL3000HY on ACORN during the course enrolment period prior to the start of the Summer Term.
    • For enrolment dates and times, please visit the Academic Dates & Deadlines page.

While the Faculty provides resources to support students’ internship search, the students are responsible for securing the internship themselves. Enrolling into MSL3000HY does not guarantee an internship placement.

Pre-Requisite(s) and Eligibility Requirements

Summer Internship

How many credits is the MSL3000HY (Museum Studies Internship) course?

The internship is a 0.5 credit (CR) elective course. For more details, please refer to the Course Credit section.

What is the duration and hourly commitment for the Master of Museum Studies internship course?

Internships may be full-time or part-time and should meet a minimum of 280 hours (equivalent of 8 weeks) and a maximum of 400 hours (equivalent of 12 weeks). The actual work schedule is to be negotiated between the student and their internship placement supervisor.

The duration and scheduling of the internship will vary, but the minimum hours must be completed between May and August.

I don’t currently have an internship secured, should I still enroll in MSL3000HY?

If you are interested in pursuing an internship, we encourage you to register for the MSL3000HY course even if you are unsure as to whether you will secure an internship. Doing so will allow us to stay in touch and work with you on Quercus.

If you end up not being able to secure an internship, then you may drop / cancel the course on ACORN directly prior to the course drop deadline for the term the course is offered. Beyond that date, to drop / cancel the course, please contact Sherry Dang (Associate Registrar, Student Services & Admissions) to have the course removed from your academic records. This is a special arrangement unique to our internship course.

If I cannot secure an internship this year, can I enroll in the MSL3000HY next year?

Yes. Please see the eligiblity requirements section for more details.

I have secured an internship. What are my next steps?

Please contact the Careers Office, for support around planning the next steps. We will provide you with a Letter of Agreement form to complete together with your supervisor to formalize the internship.

I did not secure an internship. What are my next steps in dropping the course?

If you end up not being able to secure an internship, then you can drop / cancel the course on ACORN directly prior to the course drop deadline for the term the course is offered.

Beyond that date, to drop / cancel the course, please contact Sherry Dang (Associate Registrar, Student Services & Admissions) to have the course removed from your academic records. This is a special arrangement unique to our internship course.

I need support with the search, networking, or application phase.

In MSL3900H (The Emerging Professional), students learn how to search for internship, network with museum professionals, and prepare the components of the application. Students apply this knowledge in their search for internships. In addition, the Careers team provides support with CV, cover letter, and interview preparation. Arrange to meet with the Careers Office when you need such support.

The Careers Office can be reached by e-mail at careers.ischool@utoronto.ca.

My past / current employer has offered to host me for the internship, is this acceptable?

This is acceptable. Please contact the Careers Office, for support around planning the next steps. We will provide you with a Letter of Agreement form to complete together with your supervisor to formalize the internship.

Please contact the Careers Office by e-mail at careers.ischool@utoronto.ca for support in developing a productive work plan with your host.

Are internships paid or unpaid?

Whether an internship is paid or unpaid depends on the compensation policy of the host institution, independent of the Faculty. For unpaid internships, the Faculty is able to provide a stipend to help support students in these unpaid internships. This amount could vary depending on the funding available and the number of students securing unpaid internships. In the past 3 years, we have been able to provide a stipend amount ranging from $1200 to $1800.

The funds will be automatically transferred to you through ACORN. Please be sure to have direct deposit set up on your ACORN account.

Students who receive a small stipend / honorarium from their host organization will also be able to receive a top up from the Faculty, such that they receive a combined total of the stipend amount provided that term.

This funding is made available through the generous donation of the Campbell and Rebanks families.

Will internships be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic?

Work-integrated-learning opportunities have indeed been and will likely continue to be affected by various local government responses to the pandemic.

In response to changes in restrictions at provincial, national, and municipal levels, the Faculty has implemented a process for approving in-person placement activities.

Please contact the Careers Office by e-mail at careers.ischool@utoronto.ca for more information.

I’ve secured an international internship opportunity, will I be able to continue?

It is important to us that our students are able to complete their internship placement as safely as possible given the changing pandemic situation everywhere. Please contact the Careers Office by e-mail at careers.ischool@utoronto.ca to ensure that your placement meets our internship and safety requirements.