Kohl's Internship 2027–2028: Programs, Deadlines & How to Apply

Last updated: August 2026

Kohl’s is one of America’s largest department store chains, generating $15.5 billion in annual revenue across more than 1,100 stores in 49 states and serving over 60 million customers. Its summer internship program spans more than 25 tracks across merchandising, technology, supply chain, HR, finance, design, and marketing, all rooted at its Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin headquarters. Applications typically open in September and close on a rolling basis, meaning the next cycle is roughly two weeks away.

Quick Facts

Kohl’s offers 25+ paid internship tracks at its Wisconsin campus (plus remote options for technology), opens applications in September on a rolling basis, and explicitly bars all visa sponsorship including CPT, OPT, and STEM OPT.

While you wait for Kohl’s applications to open in September, build the retail analytics and supply chain skills their JDs ask for through a remote Externship. The TikTok Social Media Content & Brand Strategy Externship builds the brand and marketing execution that Kohl’s merchandising tracks reward, and the Amazon Fulfillment Center Operational Strategy Externship maps directly to their supply chain optimization roles. Explore all Externships.

What Is a Kohl's Internship?

The Kohl’s internship is a paid, full-time summer program that places junior-status undergraduates into one of more than 25 specialized tracks across the company’s merchandising, technology, supply chain, HR, finance, design, and marketing functions. Corporate interns work 10 weeks at Kohl’s Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin headquarters, while store leadership interns spend 8 weeks at locations nationwide. Kohl’s ranks #289 on the Fortune 500 and holds a 3.3 out of 5 on Glassdoor across more than 20,000 reviews. The program is worth pursuing because of the sheer breadth of tracks, the rolling application window that rewards early movers, and the pipeline to full-time trainee and coordinator roles.

When Do Kohl's Internship Applications Open for 2027–2028?

Kohl’s publishes its recruiting calendar directly on its early-careers page, which is rare among large retailers. Applications open in September, first-round virtual interviews run September through November, and offers follow one to two weeks after the final interview. The entire process is rolling, meaning early applicants interview and receive offers while the application is still live.

How to read this page: our dates come from tracking previous recruiting cycles and daily posting data. Treat them as informed estimates based on historical patterns, not confirmed dates. The company's official careers page is always the most current source. If a role is posted there, go by that, even if this page suggests the window hasn't opened yet.

Why You Must Apply the Week Applications Open

Kohl’s states on its own early-careers page that applications remain open until roles are filled, and interviews run concurrently with the application window from September through November. This means Kohl’s is reviewing, interviewing, and extending offers while the application is still technically open. Waiting until November to apply means competing against candidates who already have offers in hand. The practical advice is simple: apply the week the window opens in September.

Which Kohl's Internship Programs Should You Target?

Kohl’s organizes its internships across four groups plus an underclassman pipeline, spanning more than 25 distinct tracks.

For the full list of tracks, visit Kohl’s Early Careers page.

What Are the Eligibility Requirements?

Kohl’s internship eligibility hinges on class year and work authorization more than GPA or major.

• Junior status required: Interns must be between their junior and senior years. The one exception is the Data Science Intern (Technology), which requires graduate-level status.

• US work authorization without sponsorship: Kohl’s explicitly states it “cannot hire students into Internships or Full Time Programs that require Sponsorship now or in the future,” naming CPT, OPT, and STEM OPT specifically. This effectively excludes all F-1 visa holders.

• Majors vary by track: Assistant Buyer prefers Retail Merchandising, Business, or Marketing. Supply Chain IE targets Industrial Engineering. BI Analyst asks for Computer Science or Information Systems. Many tracks list suggested rather than required majors.

• No GPA requirement: Kohl’s does not publish a GPA threshold on any internship track page.

• Housing available for technology interns: The technology page states that housing and transportation options are available for Milwaukee-based interns. Other corporate tracks do not mention housing.

Does Kohl’s Have a GPA Cutoff for Interns?

No. Kohl’s does not mention GPA on any internship track page or job description. This is notable because competitors like Target and Macy’s do publish GPA thresholds. The eligibility gates that matter at Kohl’s are class year (must be a junior), US work authorization without any form of sponsorship, and for some tracks, a relevant major or specific technical skills like Excel or SQL.

What Skills Does Kohl's Look For, and How Do You Build Them?

Across Kohl’s 25+ intern track descriptions, Excel and spreadsheet proficiency appear in nearly every non-technology role, followed by analytical mindset and data analysis skills. Communication skills, both written and verbal, are a universal expectation. For technology tracks, Kohl’s asks for problem-solving, cloud-native development, and scripting, while merchandising tracks emphasize competitive research and retail knowledge.

How Is Demand for Retail Merchandising Interns Moving Right Now?

Build These Skills Before You Apply

And every skill in that chart maps to a remote Externship.

These Externships build the consumer insight, data analytics, and supply chain evidence that Kohl’s track descriptions reward. None replaces retail operations knowledge itself, but each gives you a project to point to when an interviewer asks what you have done.

What Is the Kohl's Application and Interview Process Like?

Kohl’s runs a straightforward two-round virtual interview process that begins the same month applications open.

1. Browse the early-careers hub. Visit careers.kohls.com/internships/home and its sub-pages for merchandising, technology, and additional tracks to understand each role before applying.

2. Follow @kohlscampus on Instagram and LinkedIn. Kohl’s posts application-open announcements on these channels. Because the process is rolling, hearing about it on day one matters.

3. Pick your track. With 25+ tracks, a generic application competes poorly. Choose one and tailor your materials to its specific skills.

4. Apply through Workday. When positions go live in September, submit your application at kohls.wd504.myworkdayjobs.com.

5. Complete two virtual interview rounds. Kohl’s publishes the sequence: a first-round virtual screening (September–November), then a final virtual interview one to two weeks later, followed by an offer notification one to two weeks after that.

6. Prepare for behavioral questions. Glassdoor’s 62 intern interview reviews report difficulty at 2.1 out of 5 and a very positive experience. Common questions include “Why Kohl’s?” and standard behavioral prompts.

For more on what to expect, see Glassdoor’s Kohl’s Intern interview page.

What Students on Reddit Say

Here is what real candidates and employees say about Kohl’s internships on Reddit.

How Do You Stand Out at Kohl’s?

First, apply the first week of September, not the last week of November. Kohl’s reviews on a rolling basis and interviews concurrently, so by November the most popular tracks may be filled. Second, name the specific track you want. With 25+ options, a candidate who can articulate why they want the Assistant Buyer track (competitive analysis, pricing strategy) rather than Sourcing Analytics (cost optimization, Tableau) demonstrates the focus Kohl’s rewards. Third, know the product. Kohl’s sells Sonoma Goods for Life, Lauren Conrad, and Simply Vera Vera Wang alongside 900+ Sephora at Kohl’s shop-in-shops. A merchandising candidate who can discuss private-label versus national-brand strategy, or the Sephora partnership’s impact on store traffic, stands out from someone who says “I love shopping at Kohl’s.”

What Other Companies Should You Consider?

If you are exploring retail and department store internships, these competitors recruit from the same talent pool as Kohl’s.

For a broader view of retail and marketing internships, see the Marketing Internships Summer 2027 Guide.

FAQ

When do Kohl’s internship applications open for summer 2027?

Expected in early September 2026. Kohl’s publishes its timeline directly: applications open in September, first-round virtual interviews run September through November, and offers follow one to two weeks after the final interview. Applications remain open on a rolling basis until roles are filled.

Are Kohl’s internships paid?

Yes, all of them. Kohl’s states on its early-careers page that every internship position is paid and interns work 40 hours per week. Community-reported data suggests corporate interns earn around $20 to $25 per hour, with technology interns earning up to $35 per hour.

Where are Kohl’s internships located?

Most corporate internships are at headquarters in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, near Milwaukee. Technology internships offer a remote option. Store leadership internships are at stores nationwide across 49 states. Housing and transportation options are available for Milwaukee-based technology interns.

Does Kohl’s sponsor visas for interns?

No, and Kohl’s is unusually explicit about it. The careers page states it cannot hire students requiring sponsorship now or in the future and names CPT, OPT, and STEM OPT specifically. International students on F-1 visas are effectively excluded from all intern and full-time programs.

What GPA does Kohl’s require for an internship?

None. Kohl’s does not publish a GPA requirement on any internship track page. The eligibility gates that matter are class year (must be a junior), US work authorization without sponsorship, and for some tracks a relevant major or specific technical skills like Excel proficiency.

How long are Kohl’s internships?

Corporate internships are 10 weeks and store internships are 8 weeks, both starting the first week of June. All are full-time at 40 hours per week. School credit is available upon request. Kohl’s publishes these durations directly on its early-careers page.

What is the Kohl’s intern interview process like?

Expect two virtual rounds: a screening call followed by a final interview with the hiring manager, each about one to two weeks apart. Across 62 Glassdoor intern reviews, the experience is described as very positive with difficulty of roughly 2.1 out of 5. Common questions include “Why Kohl’s?” and behavioral prompts.

Can freshmen or sophomores apply for Kohl’s internships?

Not directly. Kohl’s internships require junior status. However, freshmen and sophomores can attend the Emerging Talent Summit, a virtual spring event. Sophomores who complete the summit are considered for the following summer’s internship, creating an early-entry pipeline that bypasses the general application.

Kohl’s applications are expected to open in September, and the rolling process means the first week matters. While you prepare, build the data analytics and brand strategy skills their JDs ask for through a remote Externship. A completed project gives you something concrete to discuss when the interviewer asks what you have done beyond coursework.