Current Students

HRT 4420: Disney Internship

Melissa Palomino outside the French Market

Collins College of Hospitality Management students has the opportunity to participate in the Disney College Program while earning units.  Collins College Students accepted in the Disney College Program have the opportunity to enroll in a 9-unit course (HRT 4420).

The college has designed the course to allow Collins College students to earn academic credit while gaining valuable professional development skills and earning a paycheck by working in front-line positions at Disneyland® Resort. The resort includes Disneyland, California Adventure, Disneyland Hotel, Paradise Pier Hotel, and Grand California Hotel & Spa.

Important Things to Know

  • Students must be admitted into the Disney College Program before they can enroll in HRT 4420 (requires a permission number).
  • Apply early because numerous universities participate in the Disney College Program.  The program begins to fill positions as soon as applications open, waiting to the end of the cycle to apply will provide more limited options.
  • HRT 4420 is offered in the fall and spring semesters.
  • Hours worked outside the time frame of the semester may be counted toward an HRT student’s required 800 hours of Professional Work Experience as the student is solely an employee of Disney during this time.
  • Students enrolled in any HRT internship course receive academic credit, in part, for hours worked.  Therefore, for students enrolling in the HRT 4420 course, the hours worked during the semester cannot count toward the required 800 hours of Professional Work Experience.
  • HRT 4420 is a 9-unit course that amounts to part-time enrollment, students are encouraged to add ONE asynchronous 3-unit online course during the semester to maintain their full-time enrollment.
  • HRT 4420 is a pass/fail course.  Students must complete 24 hours of Disney College Program courses to pass HRT 4420.  HRT 4420 credit is earned by a combination of passing 24 hours of required Disney courses, internship hours worked during the semester, and completing a personal reflection paper.
  • If Collins College students join the Disney College Program but do not enroll in HRT 4420, they may instead use all the hours worked in the program to count as part of the required 800 hours of Professional Work Experience.
  • Students cannot enroll in HRT 3820 in the semester prior in preparation for enrolling in HRT 3830L as The Disney College Program requires seven open days of availability throughout the program and students in fall HRT 3830L sections are unable to meet this requirement.
  • HRT 4420 will count as 9 units of elective support, but will not count as a student's HRT 4000-level requirement because our faculty do not control the academic rigor of the two Disney courses.

About the Disney College Program

As a part of the  Disney College Program at  Disneyland® Resort, participants will have the opportunity to develop their strengths and interests, meet Guests and Cast Members from around the country and take part in educational opportunities they just can't get anywhere else.  This truly unique program allows participants to network with Disneyland Resort leaders, take part in personal- and career development classes, and build transferable skills such as problem-solving, teamwork, guest service, and effective communication.  All participants will work in front-line roles at the Disneyland Resort, including Stores, Attractions, Food & Beverage, Entertainment, Lodging, and many more.

Students who attend the Disney College Program in Anaheim will complete a minimum of twenty-four hours of courses through Disney. Proof of completion will be provided by the student through their Disney transcript.

Course Information

HRT 4420: Disney Internship Catalog Description

Faculty supervised on-the-job educational experience within a Fortune 100 company: Disney. The student must be accepted by the Disney College Program. The student is also responsible for any materials mandated by Disney.

Prerequisites and Requirements

  • HRT 4420 is only open to Collins College (HRT) majors.
  • Permission from the department internship coordinator is required.
  • Prerequisites: HRT 1010
  • Collins College students must be accepted into the Disney College Program.
  • Collins College students who choose to enroll in HRT 4420 are eligible to register for up to one asynchronous 3-unit online course during the semester to maintain their full-time enrollment.

Expected Outcomes*

Upon completion of the course through his or her work with Disney and the internship coordinator, a student will be able to:

  • Gain hands-on learning experience to complement knowledge acquired in the hospitality courses by the student.
  • Acquire knowledge of the culture, heritage, and business standards of a Fortune 100 company.
  • Learn basic regulatory requirements within Disney’s specific lines of business.
  • Understand the functional interdependencies among the major departments within Disney.
  • Attend a minimum of twenty-four hours of accredited courses offered by Disney. These will be graded by Disney. The student must submit their reports to the faculty coordinator at Cal Poly Pomona.
  • Disney will require students to check in with their team leader after one and three months of their internship.
  • Submit a reaction paper at the end of the internship describing the history and background of Disney; the student’s job at Disney; and the relationship of this job with the various courses the student has taken at Cal Poly Pomona.

Texts and Readings*

No textbook is required. However, the student as an employee of Disney must be acquainted with the standards and procedures manuals; and periodicals necessary to effectively perform duties as a trainee. Disney may assign other reading materials to the intern.

Minimum Student Materials*

Qualified employment approved by the Internship Coordinator. Any materials required by Disney are the student’s responsibility.

*The specific requirements of the course will be provided by the instructor of record.*

Contacts

For more information about HRT 4420 email  Ann Lara or call her at (909) 869-4149.

For more information about the Disney College Program, Support.DisneyPrograms.com