FIMS (Media and Communication Studies) Internship Module (New)

Over the past two decades, the Faculty of Information and Media Studies has remained a leader on Western’s campus offering meaningful and relevant experiential learning experiences through its internship and community engaged learning programs.

After extensive consultation with students, internship partners, and other faculties on campus, we are expanding our internship program to give students an opportunity to engage in a more robust examination of, and engagement in, experiential learning.

Starting in September 2023, we are excited to offer the Internship Module for FIMS students enrolled in a Major or Honours specialization program.

By the time they graduate, students in the module will need to complete THREE courses (1.0 credit and 0.5 non-credit):

  • FIMS 2999A/B/Y Theory Meets Practice: Careers & Community Engagement Seminar (0.5 course)
  • FIMS 3990A/B/Y Academic Internship (0.5 course)
  • FIMS 3995 A/B/Y Internship Placement Term (0.0 credit)

Acceptance into this module is offered based on meeting the following eligibility requirements:

Students must be in a major or honors specialization module in FIMS. Students must have at least a 70% cumulative academic average, no more than 1.0 fail in their courses, no fails in FIMS, and no documented academic offenses.

How does the new internship module work?

A. Students apply for admission into the FIMS Internship Module through Western Connect.

B. Students at the time of admission to the module must have at least 70% cumulative average at the time of application; have successfully completed at least 5.0 courses at Western University; and be in good standing with no academic offenses and no more than 1.0 failures in a non-FIMS course.

C. The module consists of three parts: A 0.5 2000-level experiential learning and career education course (FIMS 2999) followed by a 3000-level academic internship course (FIMS 3990) and placement term course that includes 120 hours of internship placement experience with an industry partner and a final capstone project.
D. Upon admission to the module, students will be registered in FIMS 2999A/B/Y and FIMS 3990A/B/Y during the Fall/Winter academic year.
E. Upon completion of FIMS 2999A/B/Y and registration in the third or fourth year of a Major or Honours Specialization module, with registration as a Faculty of Information and Media Studies student, completion of all second-year required module courses and at least 10.0 courses with a cumulative average of at least 70%, no failures in FIMS courses, no more than m1.0 failure in a non-FIMS course, and no documented offenses, students are eligible to apply for placements and registered in FIMS 3995 Internship Placement Term. 

F. To graduate with the Internship Module as part of your degree, you will need to complete all three credits by the end of Year 4.

How does this module impact international students?

This Internship Module aligns with the IRCC’s requirements for a co-op work permit and means that international students can now register for for-credit experiential learning opportunities in FIMS.

Submit your application on Western Connect.

To Submit your Media and Communication Studies Internship Module (MACSIM) Application on Western Connect:

  • Please login to your Western Connect account.
  • Click the INTERNSHIP/CO-OP tab on the left side of the screen.
  • Click the secondary tab UNDERGRADUATE/GRADUATE on the left side of the screen.
  • Click on the INTERN/CO-OP HOME tab on the left side of the screen.
  • To apply for a program, select + Apply to a Program at the top right of this page and select Apply under the Media and Communication Studies Internship Module (MACSIM).

Status of your application - Can be viewed by selecting the Internship/Co-op tab when logged in to your Western Connect account.
 
Application Review - Your eligibility will be reviewed and you will be invited to attend a mandatory MACSIM intake meeting with the Career Services Team.

Module Admission Approved - Upon completion of the intake meeting, you will be enrolled in FIMS 2999A/B/Y for the next offering of the course. 

Enrolment in the Internship Module is limited and students are encouraged to submit an application early to ensure access to FIMS 2999A/B/Y.