To have your club’s internship program recognized as a CMAA Verified Internship, your program must meet the approved criteria in its internship offerings. Next, complete the CMAA Verified Internship application. Your application will be reviewed, and you will be notified within two weeks if your application has been approved. Once approved, you may post your internship (free of charge) on CMAA’s Internship List; your listing will include an icon indicating it is a part of CMAA’s Verified Internship Program. Clubs must apply and be approved for this program annually.
CMAA Verified Internship Program
The evolution of a person from student or enthusiast to professional requires a few steps along the way to best position them for the career they want—or may not even know they want yet.
Enter the internship program, a great way to introduce interested students to a new field. But internships are not just beneficial for those who are learning: These programs can create value for our industry and are essential to building a stronger talent pipeline for careers in club management. Plus, you may even learn from interns as they learn from you!
Program Information
CMAA has developed a Verified Internship Program to elevate and streamline club internship offerings. Because clubs differ widely in their membership size, culture, and offerings, it may be difficult for students to know exactly what they can expect from their internship experience. This verified internship criteria helps manage the expectations of students, faculty, and managers, and holistically showcases what a career in the club industry looks like.
How do I create a CMAA Verified Internship Program at my club?
What are the benefits of having a CMAA Verified Internship Program at my club?
Students want a clear understanding of what to expect from their club internship experience. The CMAA Verified Internship Program ensures this by establishing clear expectations from the start. This program provides students with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in multiple areas of club operations while deepening their understanding of careers in club management.
To qualify, clubs must offer interns at least 10 hours of structured education, encompass at least 300 hours (inclusive of time worked, education programming, etc.), and provide regularly scheduled feedback from direct supervisors. By participating, clubs help cultivate the next generation of club management professionals, attracting bright, passionate talent and encouraging long-term careers in the industry.
Program Policies
Required Forms and Submission Deadlines
- Clubs must submit the following forms to the Club Management Association of America (CMAA) to maintain their VIP status:
- Verified Internship Program Application
- Intern Contact Information Form
- Online Acknowledgement Form
- Final Evaluation
- Forms must be submitted within 7 days of the reminder email. An additional, shorter reminder will be sent approximately 5-7 days later. If there is no response to either reminder, the club’s VIP status may be revoked.
Intern Contact Information Submission
- After the internship begins, CMAA will send an email reminder to clubs that have not submitted the required Intern Contact Information Form.
- If the Intern Contact Information Form is not submitted, the club will be informed that their VIP status has been revoked.
Annual Reapplication Requirement
- Clubs must reapply for VIP status each year, as previous participation does not guarantee renewal. To maintain VIP status, clubs must meet all current eligibility requirements and submit all required documentation.
VIP Status Application Timeframe
- Clubs must (re)apply for VIP status each year after November 1. The VIP follows CMAA’s membership year, which runs from November 1 to October 31.
CMAA Career Opportunities & Networking Showcase Placard
- Clubs with current VIP status that are participating in the Career Opportunities & Networking Showcase at the World Conference & Club Business Expo will receive a VIP placard for display on their table.
- Only clubs that have an active and current VIP status at the time of the event will be eligible to receive the VIP placard. This placard will serve as a visible indicator of their VIP status and participation.
- The placard should remain on-site and will be collected by CMAA staff following the conclusion of the Career Opportunities & Networking Showcase.
Eligibility for LinkedIn Badge
- Only CMAA Student Members who successfully complete their internship and submit all required documentation are eligible to receive the VIP Intern LinkedIn badge. Membership status will be verified prior to badge distribution.
Archive
Ansley Golf Club, Atlanta, GA
Army Navy Country Club, Arlington, VA
Aronimink Golf Club, Delaware County, PA
Ausable Club, Keene Valley, NY
Beach Point Club, Mamaroneck, NY
Belle Meade Country Club, Belle Meade, TN
Birmingham Athletic Club, Oakland County, MI
Boca West Country Club, Boca Raton, FL
Boca Woods Country Club, Palm Beach Country, FL
Bohemian Club, San Francisco, CA
Bull's Bridge Golf Club, New Milford, CT
Carolina Country Club, Raleigh, NC
Charlotte Country Club, Charlotte, NC
Chevy Chase Club, Montgomery County, MD
Cosmos Club, Washington DC
Desert Mountain Club, Scottsdale, AZ
Farmington Country Club, Albemarle County, VA
Grand Harbor Golf & Beach Club, Vero Beach, FL
Greenville Country Club, Greenville, NC
Hideaway Beach Association, Marco Island, FL
Indian Hills Country Club, Marietta, GA
Interlachen Country Club, Edina, MN
Kenwood Country Club, Bethesda, MD
Maidstone Club, East Hampton, NY
Maryland Golf & Country Club, Bel Air South, MD
Meadow Brook Club, Nassau County, NY
Millbrook Golf & Tennis Club, Millbrook, NY
Miramont Country Club, Bryan, TX
Myers Park Country Club, Charlotte, NC
Onwentsia Club, Lake Forest, IL
Princess Anne Country Club, Virginia Beach, VA
River Oaks Country Club, Houston, TX
Roaring Gap Club, Roaring Gap, NC
Royal Palm Yacht and Country Club, Boca Raton, FL
Sewickley Heights Golf Club, Bell Acres, PA
Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, Tuckahoe, NY
Shoreacres, Lake County, IL
Southampton Bath and Tennis Club, Southampton, NY
Spring Lake Golf Club, Spring Lake, NJ
St. Louis Country Club, Ladue, MO
The Country Club of Buffalo, Buffalo, NY
The Country Club of Cleveland, Cleveland, OH
The Country Club of Virginia, Richmond, VA
The Creek, Inc., Lattingtown, NY
The Santaluz Club, San Diego, CA
The Tokeneke Club, Darien, CT
The Union League of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
Union League Liberty Hill, Montgomery County, PA
Westmoor Country Club, Brookfield, WI
Whitemarsh Valley Country Club, Montgomery County, PA
wineLAIR, Washington DC
Wollaston Golf Club, Milton, MA
Woodway Country Club, Darien, CT
Wykagyl Country Club, New Rochelle, NY