School of Education & Social Policy
 
Junior Year Practicum

School of Education and Social Policy (SESP) Juniors in Human Development and Psychological Services (HDPS), Learning and Organizational Change (LOC), or Social Policy complete a one-term, off-campus, unpaid internship in a Chicagoland organization relevant to their academic concentration and interests. During the academic year, students have 300 contact hours at the site (240 hours during the summer). Students compile extensive field notes of their experience and attend a concurrent seminar in which they systematically examine their on-site experiences.

Students earn two credits for both the Practicum (SESP 383) and the Practicum Analysis Seminar (SESP 385) (all of which are core requirements for graduation). Students who are on financial aid may apply for financial aid to cover the cost of summer tuition.

Prior to participating in the practicum, students must have successfully completed the course Methods of Observing Human Behavior (SESP 372).

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.

SESP students may opt to participate in the Summer Field Studies program in Washington D.C., or San Francisco to fulfill their practicum requirement.

For more information, refer to pages 17-18 of the SESP Student Handbook or contact Bruce Nelson, the practicum director.

Examples of previous practicum sites include:

 

Human Development and Psychological Services (HDPS)
  • Children's Memorial Hospital
  • Chiaravalle Montessori School
  • Glide Foundation
  • Cherry Pre School
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield Association
  • American Red Cross
  • Jewish Family and Children's Services
  • Heartland Alliance
  • Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Hospital
  • Domestic Violence Legal Clinic
Learning and Organizational Change (LOC)
  • Baxter Health Care
  • Chicago Public Schools
  • Huron Consulting
  • AT Kearney
  • Rotary International
  • St. Aubin, Haggerty and Associates
  • Mission Measurement
  • Chicago Transit Authority
Social Policy
  • Amnesty International
  • Health and Medicine Policy Research Group
  • Voices for Illinois Children
  • Office of Governor Schwarzenegger
  • Department of the Environment, City of Chicago
  • Public Defender and State's Attorney Offices
  • America's Second Harvest - The Nation's Food Bank Network
  • U.S. Senator Durbin's Office
  • Action Now (community organizing)