The National Dance Education Organization provides interns with practical and challenging experiences designed to offer meaningful learning experiences for young professionals interested in careers in dance education, research, legislation, policy and funding, advocacy, arts or business administration, marketing and publications, conferences, and membership. Internships are designed for highly motivated, independent, and mature graduate and undergraduate students who seek to understand dance arts education in relation to the national agenda of educational reform.

Full time Internship programs may grant 2-6 college/university credits a semester up to two semesters depending on the program of study and especially in situations where research and thesis study is required. Internships taken for credit are developed jointly by the student in liaison with the faculty advisor and the NDEO Executive Director. All full time internship programs generally require 35-40 hours a week even if no credits are earned. All internship programs are designed to meet the individual goals, interests, and abilities of the student. All interns develop a portfolio to document their experience. Some part time internships may be available upon special request.

Interns do not have to be enrolled in school to apply to the program. There is no tuition fee associated with the NDEO internship program, nor does NDEO offer a stipend.
 

Interest Area Tracks

While at NDEO, interns work with the Executive Director, esteemed professionals collaborating with NDEO on national and state initiatives, and NDEO staff on a variety of projects. Projects may cover a wide spectrum of interest. NDEO offers interns the following interest area tracks for interns to focus on (interns may select more than one track):

• Dance education (standards, curriculum, assessments, teacher certification, competency standards, and professional development)
• Research
• Grant procurement and implementation
• Advocacy: legislation, policy and funding
• Arts administration/business
• Marketing and publications
• Conferences
• Membership

Interns are given as much leeway as they are willing to accept to develop, implement and bring to successful completion projects of significant magnitude and importance. As a result, interns and projects executed are both often on the cutting edge of dance, arts and education. By the end of their internship, interns have had their hands on the pulse of dance arts education in the United States and they have developed a valuable understanding of dance arts education at national and state levels.

Application Requirements
 
To apply for the NDEO Intern Program you must be a member of NDEO. Please complete the Internship Application and submit the following materials:

• Cover letter with brief personal statement and outline of career goals
• Current resume citing the following: dance background (education, performance, choreography, teaching, research, etc.); previous work experience; special skills related to your expressed internship interests; relevant course work (past and proposed program of study) with reference to computer skills and gpa.; and honors/awards received to date.
• Two academic and/or professional letters of reference
• Two contrasting samples of writing

Submit the application and supporting materials to 

                National Dance Education Organization 
                8609 Second Avenue, Suite #203-B 
                Silver Spring, MD 20910 
 
Application Dates

The application process is highly competitive. Prospective interns are encouraged to submit their applications six months before the projected start date. Submission dates are January 15th for summer internships, April 15th for fall internships, and August 15th for winter internships. 

For more information, call the office at 301-585-2880.

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Internship Application