Course Description

The Social Policy and Public Service major requires the Social Sciences 194A: Public Service Internship Course which is an online, P/NP course that is restricted to SPPS majors only. Students have the option of enrolling into Social Science 194A for two units over two quarters (50 hours each quarter) OR four units in one quarter (100 hours). This online course will allow you to discuss internship experiences with your fellow students. Participating in this course will allow you to apply knowledge acquired in the course during your 5-10 hour internship experience. To receive credit, you must enroll in Social Science 194A at the same time your internship is in progress. All placements for this course must be approved prior to enrollment, and students must complete their hours for a government or non-profit agency.

Where do I find an internship opportunity?

View a list of approved local government or non-profit internships.

If you wish to look for other placement opportunities, please reference the following links:

Social Sciences Academic Resources Center (SSARC)

The SSARC can assist you with a nonprofit placement. SSARC offers career preparation services to help you secure internships and develop the professional skills needed to thrive in your chosen field. Their team also provides individualized career counseling, resume reviews, and hosts large-scale workshops to equip you with the tools you need for success.

Visit the SSARC office if you need assistance finding an internship opportunity. SSARC is located on the first floor of Social and Behavioral Sciences Gateway (Room 1230). For assistance, please contact: ssarc@uci.edu or (949) 824-8322.

For further information, please visit the Social Sciences Academic Resource Center website.

Enrollment Process

Social Sciences 194A is offered every quarter, including Summer Session I and II. You must have your internship site approved prior to enrolling in Social Sciences 194.

Internship Type: Must be in-person or hybrid.

We strongly encourage participation in in-person internships, as they offer significant advantages in fostering the development of interpersonal competencies and a deeper understanding of the anatomy of a professional work environment. Being physically present allows interns to engage in real-time communication and build meaningful relationships.

Social Policy and Public Service (SPPS) Majors

SPPS majors planning to satisfy the Social Science 194A requirement with an internship, must adhere to the following criteria and guidelines:

• All students interested in pursuing an internship must submit the Social Science 194A Public Service Internship Petition. (Be prepared to upload the description of duties provided by the agency) and have it approved prior to the internship beginning. Forms are submitted online through the google doc link.
• Once the internship has been approved, students will receive a confirmation email notifying of the internship’s approval.The Social Sciences 194A course must be taken concurrently while the internship is in progress.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Nayeli Lopez at nayelill@uci.edu.

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 in an area of focus (i.e., health, education, policy)
• 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