Research & Internship Opportunities at Rowan University

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One of the strongest parts of a Rowan University education is how much emphasis is placed on real-world learning. Through research programs, labs, internships, and experiential learning, students are constantly given opportunities to apply classroom knowledge, build portfolios, and prepare for life after graduation. Whether you are a STEM major, humanities student, business aspirant, or arts lover, Rowan has something for you. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect.

1. Research Opportunities for Undergraduates

Rowan University offers many ways for undergraduates to get involved in research — during semesters or over the summer. Some highlighted programs:

  • Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE): This is a 10-week paid summer research program offered by the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS) in partnership with Rowan-Virtua TBES. It’s tuition-free and gives students hands-on experience in areas such as developmental biology, neuroscience, cancer biology, gene expression, etc. gsbs.rowan.edu+2gsbs.rowan.edu+2
  • CHSS Undergraduate Research Fellows Program: Beginning Fall 2025, upperclass students in the College of Humanities & Social Sciences will have the chance to work on faculty-led research in fields like history, sociology, philosophy, and political science. The program is funded and gives students mentorship, access to projects, and helps build research credentials. Ric Edelman College
  • College of Science & Mathematics (CSM) Research Experience: Students in science & math can work alongside faculty year-round in paid or unpaid positions. Rowan’s CSM also supports summer research programs and helps students find external opportunities. There is also a STEM symposium in April where students present their work. csm.rowan.edu+1
  • BRiDGES Program: Designed for undergraduates from historically underrepresented backgrounds interested in pursuit of PhDs. Students take part in 10-week spring/summer research, receive mentoring, and get support for conference presentations. Ric Edelman College

These programs not only help students gain technical skills (lab work, writing, data analysis) but also enhance their resumes and applications—especially if you’re thinking of graduate studies.

2. Design & Engineering Clinic Projects

Engineering students at Rowan have a special way to gain hands-on, real world research/design experience:

  • Through the Engineering Clinic courses (Junior and Senior Clinic), students work in small teams on projects often sponsored by actual industry or government stakeholders. Students choose from many project options each semester and then design, build, test, or research according to actual client or stakeholder needs. engineering.rowan.edu
  • These clinic projects blur the line between internship and research—they involve design, collaboration, real constraints, deadlines, and technical deliverables that mimic work environments. Perfect if you like solving real problems. engineering.rowan.edu

3. Internships Across Majors & Departments

Rowan offers many internship opportunities across different departments. Internships give students a chance to work in professional settings, make networks, and explore possible career paths.

  • Communication Studies Internships: For those majoring in Communication Studies, there’s an internship class (3 credit hours), where students complete 120 hours of work in media, non-profit, or corporate settings. Must have some prerequisites. Ric Edelman College
  • Writing Arts Internships: The Department of Writing Arts has internal internships (for example managing department web presence, social media, podcasts, events) and external ones. Internal ones often have faculty supervision, involve portfolio work, editing, media-projects. rowanwritingarts.org+1
  • MBA Supervised Internship: Graduate students in the MBA program can take a supervised internship (3 graduate credits) that counts as part of elective requirements. This links business coursework with real-world experience in industry, non-profits, government etc. Rowan University Business
  • Internships via the School of Professional Studies: For students whose programs fall under this school, there are internship placements that may count for credit. The Office of Career Advancement and “ProfsJobs” portal helps find internship opportunities. sps.rowan.edu

4. Short-Term & Micro Internships

If you don’t have time for full semester or summer work, Rowan provides shorter, micro-internship options:

  • Micro-Internships via Parker Dewey: These are professional short-term projects (5-40 hours) that let students gain experience, do work for employers, explore interests, build network, and add recent projects to their resumes. Ric Edelman College

These can be good stepping stones to longer internships or research roles.

5. Academic Credit, Mentorship & Presentation

Rowan ensures many research and internship opportunities are structured so students get academic credit, mentorship, and visible outcomes.

  • Many internships require a certain number of hours (for example 120 hours = 3 credits in Communication Studies) and departmental approval. Ric Edelman College+1
  • Research students often present their findings at STEM symposiums, departmental or college events. This gives exposure, builds presentation skills, and sometimes opportunities to network or enter papers for conferences. csm.rowan.edu+2gsbs.rowan.edu+2
  • Mentoring is often provided: faculty supervision in labs, project directorship, peer mentor programs. Programs like BRiDGES give targeted mentoring for students from underrepresented backgrounds. Ric Edelman College

6. Finding & Applying for Opportunities

Here are tips on how to find and secure these research or internship roles:

  1. Use ProfJobs: Rowan’s job/internship portal “ProfsJobs” lists many opportunities. Rowan Sites+2sps.rowan.edu+2
  2. Talk to Professors: In many science/math departments, faculty often have labs looking for student researchers year-round. Visit faculty webpages to see their research interests. csm.rowan.edu+1
  3. Apply to Formal Programs: Programs like SURE, BRiDGES, CHSS Fellows have application deadlines. Keep track of when they open. gsbs.rowan.edu+2Ric Edelman College+2
  4. Meet Prerequisites / GPA Requirements: Some internships/research require you to have completed certain credit hours, have minimum GPA, or be in a specific department. Ric Edelman College+1
  5. Use Career Services & Department Offices: The Center for Professional Success, Office of Career Advancement, and departmental advisors help students with resume preparation, interview skills, connecting with employers / labs. Ric Edelman College+2sops.rowan.edu+2

Conclusion

Research and internship opportunities at Rowan University are plentiful, diverse, and tailored to many interests—science, humanities, business, arts, and more. Whether you want to spend a summer in a lab, do an internship in communications, or work on real design projects in engineering, Rowan supplies the support structures to help you succeed.

Getting involved early boosts learning, builds your resume, and opens doors for grad school or your career. If you’re a Rowan student, make the most of these resources—they can define your path forward.

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