Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts LMU.edu
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Summer Internship Program

students walking near residence halls toward the sun

Empowering Future Leaders

In the LMU Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts (BCLA), we are committed to delivering a distinctive educational experience rooted in respect for diverse global communities and a passion for justice. BCLA integrates the humanities and social sciences with interdisciplinary majors and minors, global immersion courses, study abroad, experiential internships, and service learning. Our hope is that students in BCLA develop intellectual, creative, communicational, and intercultural skills essential in a globalized world, empowering them to lead with purpose and compassion. BCLA’s curriculum is designed to liberate the mind, nourish the spirit, and cultivate creativity—preparing students not only for meaningful careers but also for a lifelong commitment to social responsibility and engaged citizenship. But now more than ever, BCLA must be attentive to the evolving and challenging professional dynamics that our students will be entering upon graduation. We must ensure that our students are well-equipped to meet the challenges of today and the future. To meet the moment, the college is launching a summer internship program that will offer roughly 100 paid internships across a diverse set of fields in many different types of organizations.

Summer is a time where students can immerse themselves and gain professional experience at a much deeper level. Research on career trajectories is very clear; students leaving college with meaningful internship experience are much better equipped to successfully navigate their professional lives. In today’s world, it is more important than ever to provide our students with robust resources and professional experiences. At the outset, the Summer Internship Program consists of six distinct internship programs for BCLA students.

  • The BCLA 50 initiative aims to secure 50 meaningful internship placements for students across various sectors, including small businesses, nonprofit organizations, and entrepreneurial ventures. These internships serve as a vital tool for professionalization, providing students with real-world experience, networking opportunities, and a competitive edge in the job market.

  • Through the Global Policy Institute, students participate in immersive, in-person internships designed to prepare them for careers in diplomacy, international organizations, and public policy. Students gain hands-on experience while building valuable cross-cultural and analytical skills. Internships require a 32-hour-per-week commitment.

  • StudyLA (the Center for the Study of Los Angeles) connects BCLA students with internships designed to give them insider knowledge into Los Angeles, meaningful professional experience, professional development skills, and a head start in their careers. Selected fellows will be placed with leading partner organizations in the greater Los Angeles area and will receive a $5,000 stipend for their participation in the program.
     
    The StudyLA Summer Fellows Program provides a robust experiential learning opportunity for those pursuing careers in policy and public service. Participants will be matched to civic-minded fellowship opportunities in LA based on their interests and availability. The program will last for eight weeks, with one day each week reserved for educational excursions and professional development.

  • The BCLA Dean's Summer Internship Program is a paid, immersive summer opportunity designed to provide driven BCLA students with hands-on experience in higher education leadership, research, marketing, technology, and university advancement. Through collaboration with the Dean’s Office and campus partners, our fellows gain practical professional skills while contributing meaningfully to the Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts.

  • Many BCLA Faculty use the summer to fully focus on their research projects. BCLA Students will have the opportunity to work closely with an individual faculty member or as part of research team. Students who are accepted into the program will gain hands-on experience as research assistants. Some students will have the opportunity to collaborate with working journalists, social scientists on data-driven projects, and archival research for humanities faculty, thereby sharpening their research, writing, and analytical skills. Students in this program will have the option of living on campus for the duration of the research.

  • LMU's Journalism Department is launching a new summer internship program. Selected students will receive salaries or stipends and be placed with partner news organizations in Los Angeles. Internship placements will provide students with meaningful mentorship, networking opportunities and, in most cases, a chance to publish professional-quality journalism.

    This program is open to continuing LMU Journalism Majors and Minors with an anticipated graduation date of December 2026 or later. (LMU seniors graduating in May or August 2026 are not eligible.) Journalism Majors completing an internship through this program will fulfill the major’s Experience requirement. 

  • Loyola Law School is partnering with the Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts (BCLA) to provide at least ten undergraduate paid summer internships with the legal clinics at Loyola Law School. This exciting partnership will provide students interested in law, criminal justice, and social work hands on experience working in teams of law faculty, clinic staff and law students on active legal cases. 

    All Internships are 10 weeks, 25-40 per week, and run from May 25 – July 31 
    Successful Applicants will receive a $4500 award

    Evan Gerstmann is the Director of the BCLA Summer Law Clinic Internships. Application due dates vary by clinic. 

    Loyola Project for the Innocent

    • Applications due to BCLA (submit to Professor Evan Gerstmann): December 15, 2025
    • Applications due to Loyola Law School: January 6, 2026

    The Youth Justice Education Clinic 

    • Applications due to BCLA (submit to Professor Evan Gerstmann): February 1
    • Applications due to Loyola Law School: February 15

    The Juvenile Justice Clinic 

    • Applications due to BCLA (submit to Professor Evan Gerstmann): February 1 
    • Applications due to Loyola Law School: February 15 

    Collateral Consequences of Conviction Justice Project 

    • Applications due to BCLA (submit to Professor Evan Gerstmann): February 1
    • Applications due to Loyola Law School: February 15

    The Juvenile Innocence and Fair Sentencing Clinic

    • Applications due to BCLA (submit to Professor Evan Gerstmann): February 1
    • Applications due to Loyola Law School: February 15

    The Justice for Atrocities Clinic 

    • Applications due to BCLA (submit to Professor Evan Gerstmann): March 15, 2026
    • Applications due to Loyola Law School: April 1, 2026

    The Loyola Immigrant Justice Clinic 

    • Applications due to BCLA (submit to Professor Evan Gerstmann): TBD
    • Applications due to Loyola Law School: TBD