Illinois College has a history of creating unique learning experiences for its students. Through clinicals, field work, internships, practicums, 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.
CLINICAL EXPERIENCES IN EDUCATION
Courses in education are designed to provide preparation for students who anticipate careers in elementary, middle school, secondary or K-12 teaching. The director of clinical experience provides students with their required practicum and student teaching placements.
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 WORK IN PSYCHOLOGY AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
Students participate in clinical experiences in local facilities arranged through the department. Most students in the Behavioral Health program complete their practicum hours at Gateway Foundation located in Jacksonville. Other AOD clinical settings may be approved by request.
INTERNSHIPS
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 experience form, the requirements for internship academic work. Internships can be 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 ninth day of the academic term for campus based students and by the fourth day of the term for online students. It is important to start the internship search process early to provide enough time to secure the details and register for credit before the start date of an internship.
Many internship opportunities are 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 no more than four credits may be taken in any one term.
Students can set up internships on-campus, off-campus, and they can be paid or unpaid. Many students locate internships in their home geographical area for the summer. One college-sponsored internship program is the IC Explorer program described below.
IC EXPLORER INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
Illinois College has partnerships with organizations throughout the state of Illinois that offer opportunities for students to pursue paid 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.
Internships are available during the academic year and during the summer. Students interested in participating in any of the programs should watch for application announcements each 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 site offers the areas of education, facility management,marketing and acquisitions, among others.
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.
JACKSONVILLE AREA CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU
The Jacksonville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau promotes a community rich in historical treasures, with thriving arts, education, and culture wrapped in Midwest hospitality.Interns will assist with many bureau-based projects such as updating and maintaining the JACVB website and E-newsletter, development of marketing materials, creating promotional Jacksonville videos, and photographing various Jacksonville locations and events.
JACKSONVILLE MAIN STREET
Interns will assist with the planning and implementation of several events each year that promote the downtown area. Students may also help with the marketing and social media of events, as well as working with downtown merchants.
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 near Petersburg where Abraham Lincoln spent his early adulthood. Students work collaboratively with park employees and volunteers as historical interpreters in the village.
MIDWEST YOUTH SERVICES
Midwest Youth Services is a local 501c3 nonprofit agency. Their mission is to divert youth from system involvement while strengthening and restoring families. The agency is collaborating with Illinois College to provide internship opportunities to students to promote social services and hands-on learning.
MORGAN COUNTY PROBATION DEPARTMENT
Interns have the opportunity to assist the probation officers of the Morgan County Probation Department. Their mission is to strive to ensure public safety through the reduction of recidivism by enforcing court orders and rehabilitating clients, utilizing empowerment, motivation, accountability, assessment, and referrals to appropriate services, while restoring victims and raising community awareness through the use of evidence based practices.
MEDICAL SCHOOL PREPARATION PROGRAM
The Medical School Preparation Program is a paid summer opportunity designed for rising juniors who plan to take the MCAT and apply to medical school. Participants receive summer housing and up to $1,000 in financial support toward the cost of an online MCAT preparation course. To ensure adequate time to focus on MCAT preparation and strengthen medical school applications, research with Illinois College faculty—as well as any other internal or external work or internship commitments—is limited to part-time during the program.
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.
NURSING PROGRAM
Professional experience is provided in various methods. Clinically focused simulation labs are used in the curriculum where students will explore fundamental concepts and engage in hands-on learning opportunities to develop clinical judgment and provide safe, quality nursing care. Clinical rotations in area hospitals and community clinics enhance student ability to care for patients with complex health issues and collaborate with interdisciplinary team members to maximize patient outcomes. Additionally, area hospitals provide opportunities for students to apply for internships and externships where the student gains supplemental real life experience in caring for patients.
STUDY ABROAD
The Study Abroad program at Illinois College allows students with majors in any discipline to spend a summer, 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 studying abroad should 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, but these courses must be approved by the Illinois College faculty.
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.
