Professional Experience (BUSX 460)

Transition from classroom to career. All students complete an internship while enrolled in the BUSX 460. Through self-assessment, you'll develop a portfolio that demonstrates your knowledge, skills and attitudes as well as a commitment to lifelong career development.

student intern working with her employer at BGE

About the Course

BUSX 460 is required for all business administration, accounting and business systems and processes majors and is taken during your senior year. For this course, you are required to complete a 120-hour internship in a professional setting. Students meet as a class seven times throughout the semester to participate in reflective exercises, hear from guest speakers and develop a portfolio.

Course Prerequisites: senior status, completion of BUSX 301, MNGT 361, MKTG 341, and FIN 331, verification and approval of an internship. 

Internship submission and review periods

  • Fall: April 1-August 25 
  • Spring: November 1-January 25 
  • Summer: March 1-May 25

Submissions will NOT be considered once the Change of Schedule period ends. Please allow a minimum of 3 business days for approval.

Steps to Register

Step 1: Enroll in the course

When you meet all the course prerequisites, you can enroll in the course. Refer to Towson Online Services for your enrollment date.

Step 2: Find an internship

You're required to secure an internship and have it approved in order to remain in the course. Keep in mind the BUSX 460 internship requirements (see below) when conducting your search. It is important that you start this process early by submitting your application to several openings. Don鈥檛 apply to just one internship and hope that it will work out with that company. Be proactive! Take advantage of the numerous university and college resources available to assist you in your search. See internship resources below.

International students must contact the International Student and Scholar Office prior to beginning this process to ensure that they are aware of all permit requirements.

Step 3: Submit internship for review and approval

You must have your internship for BUSX 460 reviewed and approved by the college. To have your internship reviewed, fill out the online BUSX 460 internship submission form.

Please allow a minimum of 3 business days for approval.

Complete the BUSX 460 Internship Submission Form here to have your internship reviewed.

Internship Requirements

Hours attributed to the experience must be performed during the semester in which the student is enrolled in the course. Students must complete 120 hours in the experience to receive course credit.

  • Fall semester 鈥� mid to late August extending through December
  • Spring semester 鈥� mid to late January extending through May
  • Summer semester 鈥� mid to late May extending through July

The company must have a minimum of five full-time employees.  

The company must be able to evaluate the student's performance using a survey distributed by the college at the end of the semester. 

The experience cannot consist of door-to-door selling (residential or commercial), brand ambassador positions (representing a brand within stores or at events) or pure cold calling. 

The experience cannot be performed in a residential location. 

The experience should include a significant amount of time in-person and on-site learning with other employees, interns, and supervisor/mentors. Components of the experience that are performed in a remote capacity will be considered; however fully remote internship opportunities are strongly discouraged. 

The amount of clerical/administrative work should be limited to 10% of the amount of time in the experience.

Students cannot report to and therefore be evaluated by a family member. 

Students may not use the same internship for both a Departmental Internship and Professional Experience BUSX 460.

Internship Resources

TU Job Database

 is a free, online job and internship database for TU students, alumni and employers. You can access it easily with your TU net ID credentials by 

CBE Connect

Distributed weekly by students for students,  includes a list of newly added internships in Handshake for business students. Not receiving the e-newsletter? Contact . 

Career Center

Take advantage of the Career Center where you can meet with a counselor, practice interviewing, get resume advice and more. The Career Center also hosts several career fairs, events and on-campus interviewing with employers recruiting events throughout the year, which are all posted in 

Events

The Accounting Open House and CBE Career Fairs are the perfect opportunity to network with employers looking to hire interns.

Professional Development Partners

Schedule an appointment with a Professional Development Partner (PDP) who can assist you in navigating the internship search process. Find the PDP for your major or concentration here. 

  • Start early. Be proactive! It's never too soon to look. At the least, you will get an idea of where and how you can be an intern. At the best, you might find a company willing to hire you whenever you're ready! Don't bank on one position you find either. Apply to multiple positions.
  • Use all available resources. In addition to the career services and events offered by TU and CBE (listed below), use job websites and LinkedIn to search for opportunities. Tap into your existing networks through family, friends, clubs, places of worship, etc. Let them know you're looking for opportunities.
  • Prepare your professional image. Employers want to see a polished resume, even if it just lists your part-time job or campus involvement. Practice interview and networking skills through the Career Center. Acquire professional-looking attire for interviews.
  • Network. Network. Network. Use every opportunity you have to meet and talk to business professionals. You never know where a casual acquaintance might lead. 
  • Keep in mind the internship requirements when seeking a position for BUSX 460 Professional Experience.

鈥� An internship is a form of experiential learning that integrates knowledge and theory learned in the classroom with practical application and skills development in a professional setting. Internships give students the opportunity to gain valuable applied experience and make connections in professional fields they are considering for career paths; and give employers the opportunity to guide and evaluate talent. 鈥�

National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE)