When should I take the SocSci 197 Professional Internship course?
This course should be taken during your sophomore or junior year in order to attain the research and analytical skills that will assist you throughout your undergraduate studies. It is not recommended that you take this course your first year because it takes a lot of time, library knowledge, and some understanding of research. Students in their senior year may take this course, however may experience crucial time and commitment constraints as a result of their limited schedule.
If I do not need the academic credits to graduate, do I have to take the SocSci 197 course to complete my internship?
Yes. Federal labor laws prohibit employers to accept unpaid interns without appropriate compensation. The requirements for acceptable unpaid internships are outlined in the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). In accordance with this policy, employers must either provide a minimum wage or some form of vocational training that is generalizable to most professional industries. The SocSci 197 course helps to satisfy this later requirement in partnership with the employer so that students may access the opportunities available at the internship site. As such, students must complete the requirements for the SocSci 197 course AND that of the internship company.
What are the expectations of SocSci 197?
During class, students must dedicate 50 hours (2 units) or 100 hours (4 units) of service to the site during the quarter. Students are required to attend all class sessions during the first term of enrollment. Contact the instructor if you taking the course for multiple terms to determine attendance requirements.
What are the requirements of the internship sites?
Sites must be selected from a pre-approved list (located on the SSARC database) or must be approved by the course instructor prior to earning credit. Sites should be appropriate to the student's field of interest. For example, students with an interest in the political process might choose from government sites; a psychology student might prefer counseling or service-provider sites. Course in the social sciences are transdisciplinary, so internship decisions depend on your career interest, not your chosen major. Furthermore, the internship must be established and the student should be assigned responsibilities that add value to their academic experience.
My employer requires an official letter verifying that I am enrolled in SocSci 197. Where may I obtain this document?
Contact SSARC Associate Director, Andrew Gonzales, to obtain this document. Students must first be enrolled in the SocSci 197 course before they are eligible to receive the verification letter.
If I will not start my internship until the middle of the academic term, when should I begin attending class?
Students expecting to complete an internship during any given academic term, regardless of the start time, MUST enroll in and attend the course at the beginning of that same term. This will require careful planning on the part of the student to continue with the application process concurrently with their course registration. If you do not receive the internship, you may drop the class before week 6 or request an incomplete for that term.
How may I resolve an incomplete in the SocSci 197 course?
Students unable to complete their internship during the term of enrollment are allowed to receive an incomplete. In such cases, the student should complete their internship within 3 quarters and submit the final portfolio (as outlined in the course syllabus) to have their incomplete changed to a passing grade. Students must submit an online request to the instructor to request a change in grade from incomplete to passing. Grade changes are made at the discretion of the instructor; students should consult with the instructor during their term of enrollment to discuss any mitigating circumstances or other issues that may affect their final grade.
Can I get credit if I have a paid internship?
No. Salary, wages, or monetary compensation may not be received for work if course credit is requested.
When should I start looking for an internship?
Students are highly recommended to secure an internship site BEFORE adding the class. A student can add the class up until the THIRD week of the term, but only if the student has already secured an internship site. If you plan on obtaining an internship during the quarter, you should enroll and attend all classes to fulfill attendance requirements. The SocSci 197 course must be taken concurrently with the internship experience. Credit cannot be given for internships already completed.
Where can I find information on available internship?
While there exist many online sites and repositories containing information on internship in your area, you should first visit the SSARC in SBSG 1230 to review their on-site database which includes over 200 potential internship employers. Students are also encouraged to visit the UCI Career Center and review information on their partnering firms. You may also access information via Zotlink or speak with your faculty mentor about possible colleagues who may be accepting intern assistants.
Can I take the SocSci 197 Professional Internships course in the summer?
Yes. The course is offered throughout the academic year (Fall, Winter, Spring) and is also offered during Summer Sessions I & II.
Can I receive academic credit for an internship I have already completed?
No. Students may not receive credit for any internship hours completed prior to their participation in the SocSci 197 course.
What can I do if my internship is out-of-state or I am not able to physically be present for the SocSci 197 course?
Because attendance for all students taking the course for the first time, students planning on completing an internship out-of-state or who are not physically able to be present for class should complete the course the academic term PRIOR to their assigned internship. For example, if a student wishes to complete a summer internship in Sacramento, they should take the SocSci 197 course during the Spring term prior to the start of their internship. The decision to provide academic credit for such a situation is at the discretion of the program directors. Contact them for further information.
If you have further questions regarding the internship course, or would like individual counseling on locating and applying to an internship, contact the Social Sciences Academic Resource Center (SSARC) at ssarc@uci.edu, or by phone at (949) 824 - 8322. Staff members will respond as quickly as possible and are eager to assist you in the process.