Informational Webinar
NCAA leadership development is excited to host an informational webinar related to the Postgraduate Internship Program (PGIP). The webinar will be hosted on Tuesday, August 18 from 3 to 4:30 p.m. EST. The webinar will feature an NCAA staff member from each department, who will be available to provide an overview of the responsibilities of their group, the role and contribution of the intern within the department and a glimpse into the ideal profile for internship candidates. The final part of the call will be a dedicated Q&A session facilitated by those staff members, answering questions posed by applicants on any items related to the application process and the program.
Important Dates
Application opens: Aug. 3, 2026, 8 a.m. EST
Informational webinar: Aug. 18, 2026, 3 p.m. EST (registration required)
Application closes: Sept. 4, 2026, 5 p.m. EST
Candidate notification: Nov. 2026
June 14, 2027 – May 26, 2028
Indianapolis, IN
Launch your career in collegiate athletics through the NCAA Postgraduate Internship Program. Designed for recent college graduates, this one year professional experience provides hands on learning, mentorship and meaningful project work across the NCAA national office. Whether your interests are in communications, championships, governance, finance, legal affairs or student-athlete development, you’ll contribute to meaningful work while gaining valuable experience across the collegiate athletics landscape.
Interns gain a unique perspective on the inner workings of college sports through hands on projects, mentorship and professional development opportunities. Throughout the year, interns also participate in site visits to NCAA member schools, conference offices and affiliate organizations, building industry knowledge and expanding their professional network.
For more than 36 years, the NCAA Postgraduate Internship Program has helped launch careers in collegiate athletics. Alumni have gone on to hold influential leadership roles at NCAA member schools, conference offices, the national office and other organizations throughout the industry.
College graduates with a bachelor’s degree from a four-year NCAA member institution who are pursuing a career in college sports administration. No prior athletics department experience or sports-specific degree required.
A full-time, in-person internship at the NCAA national office in Indianapolis, with 36 positions across 11 departments. Applicants may select up to three departments of interest in a single application.
A yearlong program running June 14, 2027 through May 26, 2028. Relocation to Indianapolis is required.
Interns are paid hourly at a rate that equates to $33,000 annualized and receive full benefits.
Eligibility
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- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree from a four-year NCAA member institution by the internship start date.
- No prior experience as an NCAA national office intern or employee.
- Legally authorized to work in the United States (international students may apply through Optional Practical Training for F-1 students).
- No age restriction or sports-specific degree required.
- Prior athletics department experience and former student-athlete status are not required.
- Not a current or former NCAA national office intern or employee.
“The NCAA Postgraduate Internship Program was truly a transformational and impactful experience for me. The comprehensive training, mentorship and networking opportunities provided invaluable insights into the inner workings of college sports administration.”
Brandon Floyd
2021-22 Leadership Development Intern
Explore NCAA Internship Opportunities
Gain experience in finance and accounting or rotate across enterprise risk management, operations, HR and financial planning to build a foundation for a career as a business leader in athletics.
Apply data science, SQL and visualization tools like Tableau to real NCAA business challenges while supporting the national office’s data warehouse and analytics platform.
Help plan and execute NCAA championships across all three divisions through one of eight specialized roles spanning operations, marketing, social media, corporate relations and the Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournaments.
Tell the story of college athletics through one of four roles in branding, creative and digital, external communications or internal and member communications — producing content for NCAA.org, social media and strategic media relations.
Rotate across six teams that certify the academic and athletic eligibility of college-bound student-athletes for Divisions I, II and III — from high school review and academic certification to customer service and strategic partnerships.
Support investigations of NCAA bylaw violations by processing Level III self-reported cases and providing case support to investigators working on major Level I and II inquiries.
Support the NCAA president and executive team across event planning, executive communications and Association outreach in a cross-functional role at the highest level of the organization.
Process rules interpretations, waivers and student-athlete reinstatement cases while working directly with compliance administrators at NCAA member institutions.
Choose from four positions across inclusion, leadership development and immersion roles — developing programming, supporting student-athlete initiatives and building belonging and well-being resources for the NCAA membership.
Support the NCAA’s office of legal affairs across contracts, intellectual property enforcement, regulatory matters, data privacy and discovery in a versatile role that touches the full range of the Association’s legal work.
Contribute to national-level initiatives that promote student-athlete health, safety and performance across health promotion, sports medicine and development — supporting evidence-based guidance for member schools in all three NCAA divisions.
Postgraduate Internship Program FAQs
When is the start date of the Postgraduate Internship Program?
- The first date of the internship is June 14, 2027. The end date is May 26, 2028.
What are the requirements to be a candidate for the Postgraduate Internship Program?
- Applicants must be a college graduate (bachelor’s or master’s) from a four-year NCAA member school by the start date of the internship program. Other required and preferred qualifications are listed within the job descriptions of each department-specific position.
Can international students apply to the Postgraduate Internship Program?
- Yes, college graduates from a four-year NCAA member school may utilize OPT (Optional Practical Training). Learn more about using OPT here.
Is it required to have worked in an athletics department to obtain a position in the program?
- It is not required to have experience in an athletics department to apply for a position in the program.
Are you able to work remote as a postgraduate intern?
- The 2027-28 Postgraduate Internship Program will take place in person in Indianapolis, with relocation required for all cohort members. All NCAA interns will be subject to the same in-person/virtual work policy as all full-time NCAA staff members.
Do you have to be a former student-athlete to apply for the Postgraduate Internship Program?
- Being a former student-athlete is not a requirement to apply for the PGIP.
I am an athletics administrator or coach. Can I nominate my student-athlete or recent graduate for this program?
- No, there is no nomination process for the PGIP. Applicants must simply fill out their own submission for consideration in the program.
How many internships are available within the program?
- There are 36 internship positions available among 12 NCAA departments. The specific positions available are navigable in the box labeled “Internships” on the right side of the page.
Where have alumni of the PGIP gone after the program?
- PGIP alumni have gone on to fill influential roles within collegiate athletics on campus and within conferences, in professional sports organizations and in businesses outside the realm of athletics. Organizations that have hired recent PGIP members include the Southeastern Conference, the Mountain West Conference, the NFL, the WNBA, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, USA Basketball, Women Leaders in College Sports, ESPN, Converse, and many Division I, II and III schools. Currently, over 40 former interns work at the NCAA national office in full-time roles.
Is there an age restriction for PGIP applicants?
- There is no age restriction for PGIP applicants. However, applicants must be a college graduate from a four-year NCAA member school by the start date of the internship program.
How much does the internship pay?
- Interns are paid hourly with a rate that equates to $33,000 when annualized. Interns also receive full benefits.
Is it necessary to have any undergraduate or graduate education in a sports-related program?
- It is not necessary to have a sports-specific degree (sports management, sports marketing, etc.) to be selected for the program.
What are the required components of the PGIP application on the NCAA Program Hub?
- Applicants will be required to answer a series of short-answer questions within their submission. Additionally, candidates are required to upload a resume with their application. They can upload a cover letter, but this is not required.
Who can apply?
- College graduates with a bachelor’s degree from a four-year NCAA member institution are eligible to apply. No prior athletics department experience or sports-specific degree is required. International applicants may apply through Optional Practical Training for F-1 students.
How does the application work?
- Applications are submitted through the NCAA Program Hub. Applicants may select up to three departments of interest in a single application. Each department reviews applications independently and makes its own selection decisions.
What materials are required?
- A complete application includes a resume, cover letter, official undergraduate transcripts, professional references and responses to short-answer questions about your career interests and qualifications. Specific requirements may vary by department.
When are applications due?
- Applications open August 3, 2026 at 8 a.m. ET and close September 4, 2026, at 5 p.m. ET. Candidate selection and notification take place in November 2026. The 2027-28 cohort runs June 14, 2027 through May 26, 2028 in Indianapolis.
What happens after I apply?
- Each department reviews applications and conducts its own interview process. Selected applicants will be notified directly by the hiring department. Final offers are extended in December.
Who can I contact with questions?
- For additional questions about the NCAA Postgraduate Internship Program, contact the Leadership Development team at internship@ncaa.org.