Students frequently ask questions relating to service learning, internships, and independent studies.

In part, confusion arises because each of the following items is somewhat different:

• service-learning
• unpaid public service internships
• unpaid internships in for-profit settings
• paid internships in public service settings
• paid internships in for-profit settings
• independent studies

The following discussion will explain these different opportunities as they exist at SMU, and will give suggestions about to access additional information about them.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the basic differences between “service learning,” “independent studies,” and “internships”?

“Service learning” is a term that refers to a course that has at least two major components: a classroom component as well as a placement-service component. In the placement component, the students engage in community service work that builds on, and enhances their understanding of, the theory addressed in the classroom. An example is Sociology of Aging. Students in this class study the theory and sociology of aging, as well as volunteer within a nursing home. Through their notes and observations, the students meld their actual experiences with theories about the sociology of aging.

“Independent Studies” or “Independent Research” is also always a course listing, with a department and course number attached (and sometimes with additional modifiers, such as “Independent Studies—Cultural Anthropology topic). Unlike a service learning course listing, an independent studies course is taken by an individual student; it is not a group class. An Independent Studies offering almost always requires extensive individual research supervised by a professor and culminating in a major paper or presentation. Sometimes, the independent study might include “on site” or “in the field” research with supervision by the professor. Thus, a student interested in the sociology of aging might enroll in SOCI 4193, Individual Research, and work on research that includes gathering information and observations from elder care facilities.

“Internship” can refer to several types of experiences. Any “internship” is a work experience within a profit or nonprofit setting. But internships can differ according to: profit or non-profit settings; paid or unpaid; and for-credit or not for credit. When the internship is for credit, the internship has a course listing and number—such as SOCI 4398, Sociological Internship.

Conversely, if the internship is a paid and not-for-credit internship, then the internship is not attached to a course number. A student who takes a for-credit internship must meet the department or school’s academic qualifications for the internship, and must complete the requirements of the internship. At times, those requirements might include writing papers, preparing presentations, or other academic work product resulting from the internship.

To summarize the similarities and differences between service learning, independent studies, and internships:

• A service learning course is a class with students, whereas Independent Studies is a course taken by a student. Likewise, if an internship is for credit, it is taken by a student.
• A service learning course always includes a placement-service component, whereas Independent Studies might include “on site” or placement work but not necessarily. An internship always includes a substantial amount of work or service on site and in place.
• “Independent Studies” courses can be advanced level offerings that focus on the research for and completion of a substantial original research project. Thus, depending on the department, an “independent studies” might be an offering available only to majors who have completed a substantial amount of work in the major.
• A service learning class or an independent studies class is always a course that has credit and a course/department number. The same is true of an internship that is for credit. But it is not true for a paid internship.

Where can I find Service Learning courses At SMU?

At SMU, “service learning” courses are not located in a single department or identified by a particular course prefix. Rather, service-learning courses can be found throughout the schools and in all parts of the curriculum.

The best ways to find a service learning course for a given semester are:

• Check the web site of the Office of Leadership and Community Involvement. http://smu.edu/lci/ This is an office within the Department of Student Affairs that assists professors in finding service components for service-learning. In addition, the LCI web site maintains a list of many service-learning courses currently offered throughout the curriculum.
• Read the course descriptions in the catalog or on Access. This will indicate whether the course has a component in which students work in an agency or community placement in conjunction with the class.

What are the different kinds of internship opportunities that are available at SMU?

The term “internship” can refer to several types of experiences. Any “internship” is a work experience within a profit or nonprofit setting. But internships can differ according to: profit or non-profit settings; paid or unpaid; and for-credit or not for credit. These variations largely explain the confusion that the term “internship” can create.

• Paid internships. Students interested in paid internships should contact the Hegi Family Career Development Center, which offers on-line tools, seminars, and other contacts for obtaining paid internships.
• For-credit internships. In various departments and schools at SMU, students may receive course credit for an internship. A for-credit internship is not paid. The availability of, and requirements for, these for-credit internships are determined by the academic departments and schools. Thus, if you are interested in a for-credit internship, the source is not the Hegi Career Center, but, instead, relevant academic departments.

Why would a student want a for-credit internship?

In part, students want for-credit internships for the same reasons why students are interested in internships generally. Internships can yield valuable experience, improve one’s understanding of the connection between the classroom and the “real world,” and create mentoring bonds.

But why, specifically, would a student seek a for-credit internship? First, at SMU, some degree programs might require an internship, and this requirement usually is a credit-bearing course.

Second, at SMU, some academic departments have worked with agencies or other entities to create internship opportunities that are integrated with and that enhance the student’s academic path. Even if the degree program does not require the student to take the internship, an internship might be highly encouraged, and highly desirable. For example, the major in Corporate Communications and Public Affairs includes at least two distinct course offerings that reflect internships (CCPA 4325, Organizational Internship; and CCPA 4326, Washington Internship). One of the listings—CCPA 4325—refers to a number of different placements in businesses and agencies in the communications field. As noted below, students have to meet the department’s qualifications for taking a given for-credit internship.

Third, at times, students have the opportunity for an unpaid internship, but the entity offering the internship might require that the student receive course credit for the internship. These entities might take this position because they are concerned that having a student intern—without pay or course credit—could violate a labor standard.

How does a student find a for-credit internship?

The Schools and academic departments determine whether to offer internships, whether they are graded or pass-fail, what the qualifying criteria are, and how many hours or internships a student may take. Here are some general pointers about the availability of and qualifications for internships. These are intended to be a helpful description, and, in case of any conflict with the catalog, the catalog of course prevails.

Dedman College

In Dedman College, internships are offered as course listings within individual departments. A student should take the following steps:

1. Review the course offerings in each possibly relevant department and see whether the department offers one or more internships.
2. Determine if you meet the threshold qualifying criteria for the internship.
3. If permission of an instructor, advisor, or other administrator is necessary, contact that individual.
4. Find out from the instructor, advisor, or other administrator which agencies or placements might qualify for the internship. A list of most internship locations that have been active in the past appears on the Dedman College website. This might include some of the locations that qualify for the particular internship you are seeking.

This can be illustrated by looking at a few examples of internships in Dedman College from the course catalog.
ANTH 4381:	Internship in Anthropology (archeological topic)
ANTH 4381:	Internship in Anthropology (biomedical topic)
FREN 4185:	Internship in French
GEOL 4321:	Internship in Geoscience.
SOCI 4398:	Sociological Internship

Each of these is offered by the Department reflected in the course number, and each has its own requirements. For example, ANTH 4381 requires introductory work in the subdiscipline, and approval of the Director of Undergraduate Studies and a faculty sponsor. FREN 4185, for instance, requires: Junior or Senior standing; an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher; a GPA in French of 3.3 or higher; and sponsorship of a professor and the relevant agency.

Cox School of Business

Many Cox School of Business students undertake an internship and receive academic credit. In the Cox School of Business, business students may take up to three hours of internship credit for work experience. This credit may not be used towards the BBA major or minor requirements, and it is for pass/fail credit only.

Meadows School of the Arts

In Meadows School of the Arts, internships are offered as course listings within individual departments. A student should take the following steps:

1. Review the course offerings in each possibly relevant department and see whether the department offers one or more internships.
2. Determine if you meet the threshold qualifying criteria for the internship.
3. If permission of an instructor, advisor, or other administrator is necessary, contact that individual.
4. Find out from the instructor, advisor, or other administrator which agencies or placements might qualify for the internship.

These steps can be illustrated by looking at a few examples of internships in Meadows School of the Arts from the course catalog.
ADV 4125:	Advertising Internship
ART 5100:	Internship in Studio Art
CTV 4125:	Internship in Cinema-Television
CCPA 4325:	Internship

Each of these is offered by the Department reflected in the course number, and each has its own requirements. For example, ART 5100 requires introductory work in the discipline and approval by the Department Chair. To be eligible for CCPA 4325, a student must be a CCPA major, have a minimum of 90 hours of coursework, have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 overall and 3.00 GPA in CCPA coursework, and permission of the faculty adviser.

Lyle School of Engineering

In the Lyle School of Engineering, internships are offered as course listings within individual departments. Examples:
CSE 5050:	Undergraduate Internship
EE 5050:	Undergraduate Industrial Internship

A student should take the following steps:

1. Review the course offerings in each possibly relevant department and see whether the department offers one or more internships.
2. Determine if you meet the threshold qualifying criteria for the internship.
3. If permission of an instructor, advisor, or other administrator is necessary, contact that individual.
4. Find out from the instructor, advisor, or other administrator which agencies or placements might qualify for the internship.