Practical Engagement Program FAQ

• Who can sign up for a credit-based internship/field experience?
  All SI students can receive credit for an internship if they have completed at least one semester at SI and have successfully completed SI 501.
• How many credits can I earn during a credit-based internship/field experience?
  Students can earn anywhere from 1-6 credits for a credit-based internship. Typically, students register for 1-3 credits during the academic semester for a part-time internship. During the summer, students typically register for six credits for a full-time internship. The amount of time you spend at your internship is negotiated between you and your mentor/supervisor. Students receive one credit hour for every 60 hours of internship work completed. Therefore, to receive two credit hours, a student must work 120 hours, which is approximately 8-10 hours per week. Students cannot receive more than six credit hours for one internship placement.
• How many credits can I earn through the Practical Engagement Program while at SI?
  You MUST earn a minimum of six credits (maximum of 15 credits) through Practical Engagement, as part of your 48- credit-hour degree. You cannot earn more than six PEP credits per internship.
• Where can I find out about available internship opportunities?
  You can search iTrack for internships/field experience listings and for contact information of organizations you are interested in contacting about potential internships. There are numerous resources available to you to identify internship opportunities. Set up an appointment with SI Career Services and Practical Engagement Programs to learn tips, strategies, and resources for seeking a credit-based internship.
• What do I do if I find an interesting internship in iTrack or identify one from another resource?
  Contact the SI Career Services and Practical Engagement Programs office to determine if the internship meets SI’s general requirements for academic credit. Then, apply for the position just like you would for any job or internship. Credit approval is finalized once you have secured an offer and your mentor/supervisor submits a proposal to the PEP office through jckroll@umich.edu.
• How am I selected for a credit-based internship?
  On-site mentors select and interview potential candidates.
• Should I have a resumé ready in order to apply for an internship?
  ABSOLUTELY! Remember, you are applying for this internship just like you would for a job. It is your marketing tool. Have a letter-perfect resumé ready at all times so you don’t miss any opportunities. Have your resumé critiqued by the SI Career Services and Practical Engagement Programs office.
• Can I receive pay AND academic credit for an internship?
  YES! You may receive pay for a credit-based internship as long as the position meets all of the standard SI requirements AND your mentor agrees to this arrangement. Pay is always negotiated between the student and the mentor. The position MUST be an incremental learning, mentored experience. You will not receive credit for just continuing to do a job or use the skills you already have.
• After I have interviewed -- and have been selected for an internship -- what do I do?
  Ask your mentor to send an E-mail with a brief proposal describing your job or project to Joanna Kroll (jckroll@umich.edu). Once the proposal is approved, you can obtain an override from the PEP office. We have a sample proposal online.
• How do I enroll for an internship/field experience?
  Once your internship proposal is approved by the PEP office, you will receive an override to register for either SI 690 or SI 681.
• What is the difference between SI 690 and SI 681?
  SI 690 is a course offered to SI students who participate in credit-based internships. It is offered every semester. Students register for SI 690 (for 1-6 credits) and pay tuition for that term. SI 681 is a fall seminar course offered to SI students who participate in summer internships that equal 360 hours (6 credits/PEP credits). This course helps prevent financial hardship by allowing you to avoid summer tuition by deferring credits and registration to the fall semester. Overrides (permission of instructor) are required to register for both SI 690 and SI 681.
• How is a credit-based internship evaluated?
  Both you and your mentor must submit an evaluation to the PEP office at the end of your internship. You must also submit bi-weekly reports, work hours, weekly blog entries, and a reflection to your online internship portfolio. A pass/fail grade is assigned based on fulfilling these requirements.