Loyola University Chicago

Department of Sociology

Internships

Through an internship, students apply insights from their undergraduate education to new settings, explore possible careers, and make a contribution to a business, government, or non-profit organization. They also learn specific skills related to areas such as teaching, community organizing, marketing research, social services, or data analysis. Internships helps students prepare for full-time employment, or for further education in graduate or professional school.

To earn academic credit for an internship, students take Sociology 380 for either 3 credit hours or 6 credit hours. Students who earn 3 credit hours work at least 100 hours at their site, students who earn 6 credit hours work at least 150 hours at their site. Most internships are unpaid.

Students may take Sociology 380 in the fall, spring or summer semesters. Internship sites may be located in the Chicago area or elsewhere. Completing Sociology 380 fulfills Loyola's engaged learning requirement.

Our interns have worked at:

  • Radio/Television stations
  • Museums
  • Survey research organizations
  • Social change organizations
  • Health care and legal aid agencies
  • Advocacy organizations for women, youth, and special populations
  • Peace and environmental organizations
  • Consumer rights organizations
  • Affordable housing coalitions
  • Public interest organizations
  • Community based organizations
  • Local, State and Federal government offices and agencies

Sociology 380 is open to all juniors and seniors, including students from other departments as well as sociology majors.

Securing an internship is very much like looking for a job. It takes some time to complete the process, so in most cases, students should start that process one semester in advance of the anticipated placement. Students should start the process by browsing internship listings on Handshake and contacting Dr. Cynthia Stewart at the Center for Experiential Learning. Once a student has located a potential placement, contact Dr. Wedam to fill out an application and register for Sociology 380. The Center for Experiential Learning and the department help students find placements, but the responsibility for securing their own internships rests with the students.