Illinois College has a history of creating unique learning experiences for its students. Through field work, internships, practical and student teaching, students in every major have the opportunity to take part in supervised, credit-bearing professional experience programs.
These programs engage students in the application of theoretical or classroom knowledge in practical, work environments. Each student who participates in one of the professional experience programs works with a faculty member to establish learning objectives and course requirements through a learning contract or syllabus. These documents reflect the unique challenges and learning opportunities presented to each student while ensuring the academic quality of the program.
Students interested in participating in one of the professional experience programs should begin the process by talking with their academic advisor. Internship credit hours are awarded based on a minimum of 45 hours of work for each hour of credit. Faculty supervisors will provide, as part of the internship learning contract, the projected hours for site work, writing and presentations. Many programs are offered during the academic semester and the summer, but it is important to plan ahead in order to meet application deadlines and assure appropriate course scheduling. Internships for academic credit must be established and recorded with the Office of Career Readiness & Experiential Learning and the Office of the Registrar by the tenth day of the academic term.
Many internship opportunities are also advertised through the Office of Career Readiness on Handshake. The total number of credit hours from internships and field experience courses that may be counted toward an Illinois College degree is 16 and, except for student teaching, no more than four credits may be taken in any one term. Students may also earn credit through the following programs:
CHICAGO CENTER FOR URBAN LIFE AND CULTURE
The Chicago Center for Urban Life and Culture is an independent, not-for-profit organization partnered with 22 accredited colleges and universities nationwide. Through internships and classes, students connect with the practical work world outside the college campus and deepen their understanding of America’s economic and political structures, race and gender relations and the role of the arts in community and social discourse. The Chicago Center for Urban Life and Culture program incorporates the expertise of sociologists, artists, community activists, religious leaders and social workers, as well as the experience of its internship partners in business, social service, education, art, health care, research, community programming and journalism as a part of the education process. The Chicago Center for Urban Life and Culture also offers opportunities for student-teachers through the Urban Teaching Program. The program meets the state accreditation requirements and provides participants the opportunity to teach in a successful city school with children of diverse racial, ethnic and economic backgrounds. In addition, students take part in a weekly Urban Teaching Seminar.
Students interested in the Chicago Center for Urban Life and Culture programs for the fall or spring semesters are guided through the application process by the Director of Global Programming and a faculty advisor. In order to receive Illinois College credit and retain their financial aid while at the Center, students must complete an application process and receive Illinois College approval prior to the academic year during which they wish to do the program.
Applications are due during the fall semester. Once approved by Illinois College and accepted to the program, students register for credits in consultation with their faculty advisor. Details about eligibility, the application process, academic credit, and financial implications of studying off-campus are spelled out in the “Illinois College Off-Campus Study Policies,” which can be found at https://www.ic.edu/study-abroad. Academic and travel awards, for which students may apply, are available to help offset any additional costs of the program. The Chicago Center also offers a summer term for students. Students are responsible for the Chicago Center fees and IC summer tuition rates apply for any credits the student earns. Financial aid may be available in the summer to assist in covering these fees depending on how many credits a student is enrolled in and academic standing. More information about the Chicago Center for Urban Life and Culture program is available in the Career Readiness & Experiential Learning Office and through the internet at www.chicagocenter.org.
CLINICAL EXPERIENCES IN EDUCATION
Courses in education are designed to provide preparation for students who anticipate careers in elementary, secondary or K-12 teaching. The director of clinical experience provides students with their required practicum and student teaching placements.
COMMUNICATION
Students who are interested in a career in journalism or public relations may wish to major in the Department of Communication Arts or English. Internships for these students are available in both Communication Arts and English. An opportunity for practical experience may be secured on the staffs of the college publications: The Rambler, The Hilltop, and Forte. There are also possibilities for part-time employment at the Jacksonville Journal-Courier and local radio stations. Students should consult with the Office of Career Readiness & Experiential Learning or their academic department about these possibilities.
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
Students interested in the environment may apply for a paid, summer internship with Starhill Forest Arboretum through the Office of Career Readiness & Experiential Learning.
FIELD EXPERIENCE IN INTERNATIONAL STUDIES
Students have the opportunity to work outside the United States with private agencies or international businesses.
FIELD WORK IN PSYCHOLOGY
Students participate in clinical experiences in local facilities arranged through the department.
IC EXPLORER INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
Illinois College has partnerships with organizations throughout the state of Illinois that offer opportunities for students to pursue internships in areas related to their academic interests. By working with the selected agencies to develop learning opportunities that match student interests and skills with employer needs, the program encourages students to put their academic knowledge to work.
Summer internships are typically 10-11 weeks of full-time work beginning in May or June. Students interested in participating in any of the programs should watch for application announcements late in the fall semester. Interested students should contact the Office of Career Readiness & Experiential Learning. Program partners have included:
ABRAHAM LINCOLN PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Interns have the opportunity to work in various areas of the library and museum in Springfield. The museum offers the areas of education, facility management, theatre, guest services, marketing and volunteers. The library gives the intern experience in working with historical documents on Illinois and American history.
HENSON ROBINSON ZOO
Students interested in animal care and public educational outreach work directly with the Zoo’s education curator to deliver daily programs that increase awareness about conservation concerns locally and globally.
ILLINOIS STATE MUSEUM
Illinois College students who choose an internship with the Illinois State Museum will have the opportunity to work in the Museum’s collections, including objects and specimens ranging from the ancient to the modern. Interns will gain practical museum experience with options in several different content areas: anthropology, history, museum education, art and art history, life sciences, earth sciences, museum techniques and museology, and library science.
LINCOLN’S NEW SALEM STATE HISTORIC SITE
Students have the opportunity to become active learners in the historic 1830s environment at Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site in Petersburg where Abraham Lincoln spent his early adulthood. Students work collaboratively with park employees and volunteers as historical interpreters in the village or camp counselors for the Pioneer Life Day Camp programs held each summer at the historic site.
Other paid and unpaid internships are available throughout the year for first-year through senior students. Students interested in internships should contact the Office of Career Readiness & Experiential Learning the semester prior to when they would like to complete the internship – earlier is always better.
MEDICAL SCHOOL PREPARATION PROGRAM
Students planning to take the MCAT as part of their medical school preparation can apply to the Medical School Preparation Program. This paid, summer program is typically for rising seniors and provides summer housing, fees for the online Kaplan MCAT preparation course, and half-time research with an IC faculty member.
MILLS EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING FUND
The Mills Experiential Learning Fund supports a student’s experiential learning activity while a first-year, sophomore, or junior. Funds can help support BreakAways, internships, service learning, study abroad, and student-faculty research opportunities. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis through the Experiential Learning Fund General Application.
PRACTICUM IN SOCIOLOGY
Students have the opportunity to apply sociological theory and research methods through field work. Emphasis is placed upon interviewing, data gathering, agency organization and/or interrelationships, and the evaluation of programs and approaches.
STUDY ABROAD
The Study Abroad program at Illinois College allows students with majors in any discipline to spend a semester or an academic year studying outside the United States. While abroad, students usually study at a host university, but may also choose to participate in internships or other approved international programs such as the TANDEM program in Madrid for future Spanish teachers. These programs challenge students to adapt to new cultures, expose them to diverse perspectives, and often enhance their ability to communicate in a second language.
Students interested in study abroad consult with the Director of Global Programming about an approved partner program that will best suit their personal goals and academic needs.
In order to receive Illinois College credit and retain their financial aid while abroad, students must complete an application process and receive Illinois College approval prior to the academic year during which they wish to study abroad. Applications are due during the fall semester. Once approved by Illinois College and accepted to a study abroad program, students register at Illinois College for a travel-study course. Upon completion of the semester abroad, credit for specific courses replaces the travel-study course. Students may fulfill both general education and major/ minor requirements with courses taken abroad.
Details about eligibility, the application process, academic credit and financial implications of studying abroad are spelled out in the “Illinois College Off-Campus Study Policies,” which can be found at https://www.ic.edu/study-abroad. Academic and travel awards, for which students may apply, are available to help offset any additional costs of the program.
WASHINGTON CENTER PROGRAM
The Washington Center enables students of all majors to earn college credit for internships and academic seminars in Washington, DC. Through Illinois College’s affiliation, students can acquire substantive internships at any of the thousands of governmental, for-profit and nonprofit organizations for which The Washington Center maintains ties. Students participate in a topical seminar program incorporating guest experts and taught by faculty members from Washington area universities.
Students applying to The Washington Center program for the fall, spring or summer semesters are guided through the application process by the Director of Global Programming and a faculty advisor. In order to receive Illinois College credit and retain their financial aid while at the Center, students must complete an application process and receive Illinois College approval prior to the academic year during which they wish to do the program. Applications are due during the fall semester. Once approved by Illinois College and accepted to the program, students register for tuition credits in consultation with their faculty advisor. Details about eligibility, the application process, academic credit and financial implications of studying off-campus are spelled out in the “Illinois College Off-Campus Study Policies,” which can be found at https://www.ic.edu/study-abroad. Academic and travel awards, for which students may apply, are available to help offset any additional costs of the program.
The Washington Center also offers a summer term for students. Students are responsible for The Washington Center fees and IC summer tuition rates apply for any credits the student earns. Financial aid may be available in the summer to assist in covering these fees depending on how many credits a student is enrolled in and their academic standing. Applications for this program are typically due in the fall semester of the year prior to the expected experience.
More information about The Washington Center program is available in the Office of Career Readiness and at www.twc.edu.
Illinois College is committed to ensuring every student has the option to complete an experiential learning opportunity.
