The summer Field Studies Program of the School of Education and Social Policy is a nine-week internship program open to all Northwestern undergraduates. Located in San Francisco, Washington, D.C., or Chicago, the Field Studies program provides an excellent learning opportunity for students to develop leadership by holding a position with a political, public interest, research or educational organization.
As students compile extensive field notes of their experience, they attend a concurrent seminar in which they systematically examine their on-site experiences. Prior to participating in the field studies, students must have successfully completed the course Methods of Observing Human Behavior (SESP 372). Students earn two credits of both Practicum (SESP 383) and Practicum Analysis Seminar (SESP 385).
The SESP Student Affairs office is a resource for students both in their search for a practicum site and during their experience. Students may use an existing practicum site or propose their own site. Information is available in the SESP Student Affairs Office regarding sites where students have worked in the past.
Students who have completed Field Studies appreciate the unique learning that comes from real-world experience with an academic focus. Hear their comments by watching this video:
Field Studies students benefit from a structured learning experience as they explore potential careers in public policy, government, public health, business, psychological services or education. Examples of Field Studies sites include the following:
Washington, D.C.
- Brookings Institute
- Children's Defense Fund
- Department of Education
- Institute for Educational Leadership
- National Partnership for Women and Families
- Smart Growth America (urban planning)
- U.S. House of Representatives
- U.S. Senate
- Urban Institute
Chicago
- ABN Amro
- Baxter Healthcare Corporation
- Children's Memorial Hospital
- Cook County State's Attorney's Office
- Domestic Violence Legal Clinic
- Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago
- Health and Medicine Policy Research Group
- Huron Consulting Group
- Stroger Hospital of Cook County
San Francisco
- American Red Cross
- Amnesty International
- California Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action
- Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice
- Office of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
- Pacific Gas & Electric
- San Francisco General Hospital
- San Francisco Public Defender's Office
- St. John's Educational Thresholds Center
For more information, contact Bruce Nelson, the practicum director.