The Practical Engagement Program (PEP) is an integral part of the School of Information's professional master's program. PEP integrates the application of knowledge and skills to specific problems outside the classroom, and both enables and requires you to combine what you have learned in the classroom with what you observe and experience in the "real world."

Master of Science in Information students must earn a portion of their 48 credits as PEP credits in order to graduate. You earn PEP credits by taking certain courses that allow you to work with outside organizations or by participating in an internship. Credits earned from internships apply toward the total number of academic credits required for your program.

• Students who entered the program before fall 2008 must earn at least six PEP credits to graduate.
• Students who entered the program fall 2008 or later must earn at least eight PEP credits to graduate.
• Students may complete up to 12 PEP credits through approved internships.  There is no limit on the PEP credits students may earn through coursework.

You can earn your eight PEP credits through a combination of an approved internship and PEP courses. You may earn a maximum of 12 PEP credits through approved PEP internships (SI 690 or SI 681). There is no limit on the PEP credits you may earn through coursework.

PEP courses

Certain SI courses have PEP credits attached to them. In these courses, you may work with an outside organization on projects that are relevant to your academic program. For example, you may conduct studies and surveys or analyze information needs within an organization. Courses must be on the official PEP credits listing for the term in which the class is being taken.

PEP internships

Internships that meet certain criteria and are approved by the SI Career Development Office are eligible for PEP credits. PEP internships can be part-time or full-time, paid or unpaid. You need to enroll in SI 690 or SI 681 to receive credit for an internship.  Internship must be approved for credit prior to the start of the internship.

Available internships are posted to iTrack, SI's online recruiting system. You can use this system to search for internships by industry area, preferred job function(s), geographic location, and/or by keyword search.  Students can also explore the broad array of internships other SI students have participated in by viewing these PEP internship portfolios.  Additionally, students are encouraged to meet with SI Career Development Office staff to help develop an internship search strategy. 

Student eligibility for PEP internships

Students must meet the following eligibility requirements in order to be able to receive PEP credits from internships:

• Completion of at least one term at SI
• Completion of SI 501 (If you have not completed SI 501, you must indicate the SI course(s) that have adequately prepared you for your internship)
• Attendance to a PEP Information Session

PEP internship eligibility

For an internship to be approved for PEP credit, it must meet certain standard criteria:

• Field of work must be related to what is taught and researched at SI
• The work must be at graduate-level and considered to be professional work
• The intern must have a mentor who has three or more years of professional work experience and agrees to the Mentor Agreement
• The work must be an incremental learning experience in that the function or project will help to develop new skills and abilities
• Work must be with an outside organization or have external affiliation
• The work cannot be a current part-time job

 Propose your internship for credit

In order to receive credit for an internship, your internship mentor must submit a PEP Proposal to the Career Development Office for approval.  In order to initiate this process, please complete the PEP internship registration form.

International students should familiarize themselves with the process related to CPT Authorization.