For many students, off-campus study provides an opportunity to apply their knowledge in businesses, public and private agencies, governmental and international organizations, scientific research centers, or cultural institutions in order to prepare for further work in the major. Various opportunities exist for off-campus study in the United States, including Duke University Marine Biology Laboratory, Marine Biological Laboratory (Woods Hole), United Nations Semester (Drew University), Washington Semester (American University), Oak Ridge Science Semester, Newberry Library Program, New York Arts Program, Philadelphia Center, and a Wooster Urban Studies Semester in Portland, Oregon. Interested students should consult the International Programs Office and the appropriate department chairperson.

An internship or practicum is a supervised work situation in which students may test concepts learned in the classroom and at the same time extend their knowledge through experience. The aim is to provide a laboratory-like experience to explore the multiple dimensions of complex problems. Internships are usually off campus, but occasional on-campus positions may be approved by faculty members. In order to receive academic credit for an internship, the student must arrange the internship in advance through the appropriate department or program and register (and during the Summer Session, pay the tuition fee). A student may register for a maximum of two internships, for a total of no more than four Wooster course credits to count toward graduation.

Many internship experiences are available to majors in particular departments and programs. Internship opportunities available to students more generally are described here.

Washington Semester Program

The Department of Political Science, in cooperation with The American University, offers a one-semester program in Washington, D.C., in either the fall or spring semester for juniors in good academic standing. The Washington Semester program consists of a full semester of credit through a two-course seminar, featuring several weekly sessions with public and private sector decision-makers; a one-course internship in an agency or organization of the student's choice (among such options as the Congress, executive branch, justice system, interest groups, think tanks, or trade associations); and a research project utilizing the resources of the nation's capital.

Students choose from among the following different seminars that are connected to their internship experience: American National Politics, U.S. Foreign Policy, Public Law, Peace and Conflict Resolution, Justice, Economic Policy, Journalism, International Business and Trade, International Environment and Development, and Museum Studies and the Arts.

Full-time faculty members direct the program. Students reside at American University and have full access to its facilities while enrolled in the Washington Semester Program. A summer internship program is also available. For further information, contact Eric Moskowitz, Department of Political Science.

United Nations Semester

For the student with a special interest in international relations, the Drew University United Nations Semester is an exciting educational opportunity. Students on this program live on the Drew Campus and spend two days a week in New York City, where the university maintains a center across the street from the United Nations. The seminar includes a study of the United Nations system, conferences with UN diplomats, and meetings with representatives from the various national missions accredited to the UN. Students also have opportunities to serve as interns for UN agencies, national missions, or non-governmental organizations. That seminar, a research paper, and two courses taken at Drew University combine to produce four Wooster credits. For further information, contact Matthew Krain, International Relations.

Ethics & Society

The Department of Religious Studies internship is designed to bring together the academic study of religion and a practical experience dealing with ethical and religious issues in American society. It is intended to place a student in an off-campus situation in which a conflict of values may be examined in a particularly clear way and in which the student may reflect critically upon the ethical and religious dimensions of social phenomena. Placements will be sought that enable the student to participate directly in an institution's program (political, legal, social, religious, etc.) at a significant level of responsibility. Majors in religion will be given special consideration as applicants, although those with minors in religion and non-majors may also apply. The students are expected to work 35-45 hours a week, will receive three semester course credits, and are obligated to participate in both pre-internship preparation and post-internship reflection. For further information, contact Charles Kammer, Department of Religious Studies.

Seminary Semester

Wooster offers a four-course credit semester at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary or Louisville Seminary. The program involves a two-course credit internship. Two courses of the student's choice will also be taken at the seminary. Courses that are available cover a wide range of topics, including: ethics in politics or economics, peacemaking, liberation theology, feminist approaches to theology, Islam, Hinduism, Hebrew, early Jewish history, aging, and African American contributions to theology. These programs are open to any student regardless of major. A minimum 3.0 GPA is required. For further information, contact Charles Kammer, Department of Religious Studies.

Professional Theatre Internships

The Department of Theatre offers a variety of internships for qualified students throughout the year, including the summer. With the cooperation of a variety of professional theatres, students are placed in acting, business management/public relations, general and technical internships for academic credit. Internships will vary in length, depending on the needs of the theatre and the availability of the student. A background of theatre course work, experience with College of Wooster Theatre productions, demonstrable talent, interest, and maturity are required. Applications must be submitted to the Department of Theatre at least one semester in advance. Internships carry two to four course credits, two of which may count toward the major in theatre. For further information, contact Shirley Huston-Findley, Chairperson, Department of Theatre.

The Business Economics Internship

Students of any major who have junior standing, a 2.75 cumulative grade point average, and who have completed at least Economics 101 and 202 are eligible to apply for the Business Economics Internship. Additional Business Economics course work generally enhances a student's attractiveness to participating firms.

The Internship is an intensive 22-week, off-campus experience designed to acquaint students with the operations of a real-world firm, its goals, and problems. Internships normally begin during the summer following a student's junior year and continue into the middle of the fall semester. The goal of the program is to enable students to put their academic work into practice in a real-world setting and to provide them with information that will be useful in their future course work.

The College maintains an ongoing relationship with several local firms that regularly offer internships. Students may also make contact with other firms themselves, but formal internship arrangements must be made with the Internship Director in advance of the internship and must conform to the Internship's general guidelines. Students who successfully complete the 22-week program are eligible for two courses of academic credit graded on an S/NC basis.

A formal preparatory internship meeting is held during the fall semester of each year. For further information, contact the Internship Director, John Sell, Department of Economics.

Practicum in Psychology

Qualified junior and senior psychology majors have the opportunity to obtain offcampus applied experience at a clinic, agency, or institution. Local placements include the Wayne-Holmes Mental Health Center, the College Nursery School, Ida Sue School, and Every Woman's House, among others. Off-campus programs include placements at the Massillon Psychiatric Hospital in Massillon, Ohio, and University Hospitals of Cleveland. For further information, contact Susan Clayton, Chairperson, Department of Psychology.

The Urban Semester

The Urban Semester is the core of the urban studies major. However, participation is not limited to urban studies majors. Urban Semester internships may be arranged in Portland, Oregon. Students experience life in the city for the semester, work 32 hours a week in their internship (two credits), and participate in the seminar (one credit). They experience firsthand the problems of life in a city and the rigors of a full-time job.

Eligible students are those who have completed Urban Studies 101 or are urban studies majors. Student performance is evaluated by the internship supervisor and the faculty adviser to the program. Students may elect to earn two credits for the internship alone or three credits for the internship and seminar. For further information, contact Charlotte Wahl, coordinator of Urban Semester.

Practicum in Women’s Studies

The Practicum in Women's Studies provides students with the opportunity to participate in efforts toward understanding and/or improving the conditions of women's lives. The practicum requires approved placement in a social service agency or another applicable organization that serves the interests of women, or it may take the form of a student-defined project. Students are expected to work a minimum of 10 to 12 hours weekly, under the supervision of a representative of the agency and the faculty adviser, and students will receive one course credit. The work will culminate in a written analysis of the practicum experience in relation to course work in Women's Studies. Prerequisites: Women's Studies 120 and at least one other Women's Studies course. Permission of the Women's Studies chairperson is required, and students must make arrangements for the practicum prior to the beginning of the semester in which they are enrolled in the practicum. Students interested in a practicum experience are also urged to explore the Antioch Women's Studies Semester in Europe (Fall) or The Philadelphia Center Urban Program. For further information, contact Linda Hults, Coordinator of the Women's Studies Program.

The Philadelphia Center

This experiential education program furnishes students the opportunity to grow professionally, academically, and personally within an urban environment. Comprised of a four day per week internship (more than 700 placements are available) and two academic seminars, the program uses the city and all its resources as a "classroom for learning." Students design a goal-oriented document, or Learning Plan, that provides the structure for integrating work experience with educational, social, and professional development goals. Founded in 1967, this fall or spring semester program is open to students with sophomore standing in any major with a 2.5 grade point average. For further information contact Charlotte Wahl, coordinator of Urban Semester.

New York Arts Program

The New York Arts Program is designed to provide those students seriously interested in the arts opportunities unavailable to them on their home campuses. The program is not a substitute for but rather a supplement to on-campus study. In order to establish the highest possible standards, the program encourages participants to see themselves as novitiate professionals. The program is recognized by the GLCA.

The vast cultural resources of New York City are well known, and the benefits derived from daily access to these resources are self-evident. Less familiar is the milieu of the professional artist ò that mix of people, places, and events which constitute the artist's world and immediate audience. Students accepted into the program share this milieu through working apprenticeships with painters, sculptors, theatre and dance companies, art museums, etc., and through this involvement develop an understanding of the intentions, problems, and means of the arts as currently practiced.

The program has two main goals: to provide experience and knowledge in highly focused areas (primarily through the apprenticeship) and to provide all participants with a broadened knowledge of all the arts. The means of achieving these goals are adapted to the requirements of individual participants. For further information, contact Marina Mangubi, Department of Art.

Other Internships

Other internship programs at the College are available in chemistry, education, music therapy, sociology, communication, and physical education. For details, see the relevant department and contact the appropriate department chairperson. No more than two internships and a maximum of four Wooster course credits will count toward graduation.

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