Service-Learning and Internships

Learn more about service-learning, internships, and independent studies at SMU, as well as how to access these opportunities.


Service-Learning

“Service learning” usually refers to courses with two components: a classroom component and a placement component in which students perform community service work that builds on theory and in turn results in reflections on theory.

Examples of current or recently offered service learning courses include:
  • The Sociology of Aging, which working within an assisted living community
  • Advanced Spanish class that includes working with the International Rescue Society
  • Information Engineering course requiring design work for a nonprofit agency
  • Human Rights, in which students work with agencies such as the Center for Survivors of Torture

Public Service Internships

Public service internships (either grant-funded or for-credit) are available through many SMU academic departments, Institutes, and Centers, including:

  • The Cary M. Maguire Center for Ethics and Public Responsibility awards summer internship stipends to students engaged in public service. Over 100 students have received public service stipends for work in over 80 agencies, 12 Texas cities, 12 states, and 9 foreign countries.

  • Performing Arts Internships. Junior or Senior Theatre students specializing in stage management work as interns with the Las Colinas Symphony for one week each month, under the direction of the symphony’s production manager. They assist in running rehearsals, setting up for each concert, and running the performances.

  • Internships in myriad nonprofits and social agencies. SMU has partnered with dozens of public service agencies to create internships by which SMU students intern for credit. These agencies include AIDS Service of Dallas, The Arc of Dallas, Baylor Health Care System, Buckner Orphan Care International, Campfire USA, Center for Nonprofit Management, Centro de Mi Salud, Citizens Development Center, Community Partners of Dallas, Dallas County Juvenile Department, Department of Family and Protective Services, Nature Conservancy of Texas, Refugee Services of Texas, the Dallas World Affairs Council, and many others.