Social Sciences 197: Professional Internships
Course Description
The Social Sciences Academic Resource Center (SSARC) offers Social Sciences 197: Professional Internships, an online pass/no pass course designed for Social Sciences majors. This course provides either 2 units (50 hours of internship) or 4 units (100 hours of internship) of academic elective credit each quarter. Through this online course, you will navigate real-world internship scenarios, update your resume and cover letter, and engage in discussions with fellow students about your internship experiences. The course enables you to apply what you learn directly to your 5-10 hour per week internship. To earn credit, you must be enrolled in Social Sciences 197 while your internship is active.
Where Do I Find an Internship Opportunity?
Need Help With The Interview Process?
Visit the SSARC office if you need assistance finding an internship opportunity. We are located on the first floor of Social and Behavioral Sciences Gateway (Room 1230).
Enrollment Process
Social Sciences 197 is available every quarter, including Summer Session I and II, with enrollment on a first-come, first-served basis. Late enrollment is not permitted. Before enrolling in the course, you must have your internship site approved. If you are an International Studies major, please refer to the section below for additional information.
For ALL quarters, please complete the Social Sciences 197 Enrollment Form no later than Wednesday, Week 2. Be prepared to upload an offer letter from your supervisor that includes the following:
- Name, location, and website of internship site
- Name, e-mail, and phone number of supervisor
- Start and end dates of the internship with the hours per week
- Indication of pay or non-pay (if paid, indicate hourly wage)
- Type of internship (remote or in-person)
- A clear description of learning objectives or goals related to student's major
- A job description that outlines special projects, tasks and qualifications
- Supervisors' signature
Authorization codes are required for the course during Fall, Winter, and Spring quarter enrollment and will be emailed upon approval of the internship site. Authorization codes are not required for Summer Session. For more information about enrollment dates during the academic year, please review the UCI Academic Calendar. For more information about summer enrollment dates, please review the Summer Session Academic Calendar.
NOTICE: Internship sites are approved on a case by case basis. Employers will be screened and verified to ensure that University and Social Sciences 197 criteria are met.
International Studies (IS) Majors
International Studies majors planning to satisfy the international experience requirement with an internship, must adhere to the following criteria and guidelines:
- All students interested in pursuing an internship must submit the International Experience Internship Petition and have it approved prior to the internship beginning. The petition must be submitted to the Social Sciences Undergraduate Student Affairs Office (SBSG 1201) well in advance of the internship beginning as it may take some time to review all documentation. All internships must be non-paid and have a significant international cultural component to be reviewed.
- Once the internship has been approved, students will receive an authorization code from the instructor of Social Sciences 197. The Social Sciences 197 course must be taken concurrently while the internship is in progress. The course cannot be taken before the internship begins or after it has been completed.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Kurt Hessinger at kurt.hessinger@uci.edu.
International Students
International students may be eligible for CPT, a type of employment authorization that allows students to complete an internship/training off campus. CPT is not available after a student completes a degree program. Consult the International Center for CPT policies and application requirements and review the CPT Online Tutorial.
Students will need the approval from the Director of Student Affairs, Helen Morgan (helen.morgan@uci.edu), in the Social Sciences Undergraduate Students Affairs Office on the CPT application form to enroll in Social Sciences 197. Once approval is provided, the SSARC will provide the student an authorization code to enroll in Social Sciences 197. Authorization codes are not required during Summer Session.
NOTICE: Internship sites of Curricular Practical Training (CPT) applicants must be approved through the Division of Career Pathways' internship portal, Handshake, in order to be considered for enrollment in Social Sciences 197. No exceptions will be made.
Each quarter, two courses are offered for internships. You will be placed based on your internship agreement.
- SocSci 197, Section A: 4 units for unpaid or paid internship (100 hours/quarter)
- SocSci 197, Section B: 2 units for unpaid or paid internship (50 hours/quarter)
All internships have the same learning outcomes:
- Define and articulate the fundamentals of leadership theory and leader self-development
- Identify their strengths and potential career aspirations
- Perform general, if not specific, work-related tasks and assignments respective to their internship
- Implement key professional strategies and practices introduced through online lectures and assigned readings
Questions?
For more information, please contact us at ssarc@uci.edu.
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