What are the internship/field studies requirements as a SPPS major?
You are to take the one-year Field Studies 193ABC, consecutively, and one (4 unit) 194A professional internship course for graduation. A total of 300 internship hours are required for the SPPS major.

When should I take 193 (Field Studies in Public and Community Service)?
This course should be taken junior year in order to attain 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. In addition, it should not be taken senior year the student will benefit less from the social contacts and their newly gained understand of social issues will not be as evident in their graduate school application. If taken before the last year, students can then follow-up on their skills by completing the Social Science Honors program (SSHP).

What are the requirements for 193?
Students select the field placement site in the Fall and complete their field work in the Winter and Spring quarters. During this time, students must independently conduct research, develop a research project, and collect data. A total of 200 field hours are completed in the series (100 hours in the Winter and 100 hours in the Spring) with direct supervision and direction by a department faculty.

Can I take 193 Field Studies series in the summer?
NO. The course is only offered throughout the year and it is required that you enroll in the Fall and remained enrolled for three consecutive quarters. You cannot add the course in the Winter or Spring; the course is sequential and the curriculum presented builds on material from previous quarters. THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS TO THIS RULE.

When should I take 194A (Community Service Internship)?
It is recommended that you take the 194 during sophomore or junior year. The course requires a minimum of 8-10 hours a week and a total of 100 per quarter. It is required that the student intern at a non-profit organization. At the end of the internship, an assessment is completed and you are to develop a hands-on research paper. Specifics: The 194A course was revamped for Fall 2015 to addresses servant leadership, professional etiquette, resume building, social issues and advocacy, and organizational behavior. The course facilitates students to volunteer at a non-profit to learn about community management and social justice leadership. This online course is offered the entire academic year (including summer).

Where can I find a list of internships? How do I become an intern?
A comprehensive list of internships is provided by the Social Sciences Academic Resource Center (SSARC) for all majors. Please note that all internships in the database are not non-profit and you must find organizations addressing social issues in the local community. Internships at UCI and corporations from the profit sector (e.g., Myrill Lynch) are great internships BUT they do not qualify as government or non-profit agencies (a requirement for the SPPS placement).

Can I volunteer at a for-profit internship and earn academic credit?
Yes, you can volunteer your time (without any monetary compensation) at a for-profit and earn 197 credit. Please note, however, this for-profit internship does not fulfill your 194A requirement for the SPPS curriculum (The placement must be at a government or non-profit agency for the major). Yet, the 197 course units will count toward your graduation and the opportunity is invaluable.

Can I intern at the same place for the 193 and the 194?
No, the curriculum is structured to expand student experiences and to ensure a wide range of exposure to the community and the various non-profit agencies. Although many students build rapport with the 193 agency, it is still not recommended (or authorized) to intern at the same agency for all 300 hours. As the School envisions top student leaders seeking to serve a wide range of communities, it is imperative our majors learn about a variety of agencies, the services and resources provided, and their leadership and management styles. A different agency will also facilitate the expansion of a larger social network for students and a wider range of insight and knowledge on: service management, quality services, social expression, political action, and organizational leadership.