195CE Internship Courses

The Center for Community Engagement partners with academic departments to provides students with the opportunity to earn academic credit for a secured internship by enrolling in a 195CE Internship Course.

Learning Outcomes

  • Define and apply the following core concepts: civic engagement, social responsibility, and experiential learning;
  • Apply academic knowledge and critical thinking skills to address situations and challenges that arise in 21st-century work environments;
  • Develop and execute a research paper or project integrating analysis inspired by experiential learning (i.e. an internship) with knowledge gained from an academic discipline;
  • Explore how off-campus work experience contributes to an undergraduate’s intellectual, personal, and professional development and informs future career choices.

Unique Elements of a 195CE Internship Course

  • Attend bi-weekly meetings with a departmental 195CE Graduate Student Instructor
  • Complete weekly reading and/or writing assignments
  • Complete final paper or project
  • Log a minimum of 80 hours of work with internship site on a timesheet

Benefits

INDIVIDUALIZED 1:1 INSTRUCTION

ACADEMIC CREDIT FOR REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCE

RECEIVE UPPER-DIVISION COURSE CREDIT

Watch: 195CE Internships 101

For questions about enrolling in any of these courses, please email 195CEinfo@college.ucla.edu

COURSE OFFERINGS

195CE Courses
(4 Units)
Quarters Offered Who is eligible?
What internship sites are appropriate?
Graduate Student Instructor Faculty Mentor Grading
Anthropology Winter & Spring Open to ALL majors.
All internship sites are appropriate.
Doga Tekin Abigail Bigham Letter Grade
Community Engagement & Social Change Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer Session A (10 weeks) Open to ALL majors. Recommended for students in a nonprofit or governmental agency internship. Cassi Colangelo Douglas Barrera Letter Grade
Disability Studies Fall, Winter, Spring Open to Disability Studies minors ONLY.
Recommended for students participating in disability-related internships.
mads le Lauren Clark  Letter Grade
English Fall, Winter, Spring Open to ALL majors.
All internship sites are appropriate.
Alexander Shassetz Joseph Dimuro Letter Grade or P/NP 
Food Studies Winter & Spring Open to Food Studies minors ONLY.
Recommended for internships pertaining to food-related study.
Skye Shodahl Amy Rowat  Letter Grade
International and Area Studies Winter, Spring, Summer Session A (10 weeks) Open to ALL mjaors. Recommended for students participating in internships related to International Studies.  Arjun Krishna Adam Moore  Letter Grade or P/NP
Music Industry Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer Session A (10 weeks) Open to majors/minors in Music Industry and Music History & Industry ONLY.
Recommended for music industry or closely related entertainment industry internships. 
Anika Hundal (Section 1)

Luka Douridas (Section 2)

Robert Fink  Letter Grade or P/NP
Political Science Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer Session A (10 weeks) Open to ALL majors.
All internship sites are appropriate.
Cymone Mack (Section 1)
Jennifer Carcamo (Section 2)
Michael Ross  Letter Grade or P/NP
Public Affairs Summer Session A (10 weeks)  Open to ALL majors.
Highly recommended for students in a nonprofit or governmental agency internship.
N/A Rebecca Crane Letter Grade or P/NP 
Public Health Winter, Spring Open to Public Health majors & minors ONLY. Contact faculty mentor Lindsay Rice TBD
Society & Genetics Fall, Winter, Spring Open to ALL majors.
Recommended for students with a background in Life Sciences focused on the human body.
Recommended for internships related to Human Biology and Society.
Audrey Valentine Jessica Lynch Letter Grade
Sociology Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer Session A (10 weeks) Open to ALL majors.
All internship sites are appropriate.
Arjun Krishna Jessica Collett Letter Grade or P/NP 

CESC 95CE Course

95CE Course
(2 Units)
Quarters Offered Who is eligible?
What internship sites are appropriate?
Graduate Student Instructor Faculty Mentor Grading
Community Engagement & Social Change Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer Session A (10 weeks) Open only to students who have completed CESC 50XP who wish to continue working with their partner site. Rafik Wahbi Douglas Barrera Letter Grade

STUDENT ELIGIBILITY

  • 3.0 GPA requirement
  • Must have Junior or Senior standing (at least 90 academic credits)
  • Good academic standing
  • International students must consult the UCLA Dashew Center regarding Curricular Practical Training (CPT) authorization (for F-1 Visa students) and Academic Training authorization (for J-1 visa students)

For further details, see, UCLA’s Contract Course Policy

INTERNSHIP SITE ELIGIBILITY

  • A minimum of 80 hours over at least 8 weeks of the quarter
  • 8-10 hours of work per week
  • Supervision by professional staff
  • Off-campus workplace (nonprofit, corporate/business, or government)
  • May be paid or unpaid *
  • May be in person (preferred) or remote
  • Covid-19 public health protocols followed

*Positions that would be classified strictly as part-time or full-time jobs by the Department of Labor (including most retail and commission-based sales positions) are NOT eligible for credit.

*Please review the Department of Labor and State of California  fact sheet regarding Internship Programs Under The Fair Labor Standards Act.

For internships specifically through the Los Angeles County Department of Human Resources, please contact the Center for Community Engagement’s Academic Coordinator, Christina-Marie Santillan at (cmsantillan@college.ucla.edu) prior to 195CE’s enrollment period.

Elements of a successful internship (on-site or remote):

  1. Meaningful & substantive work (beyond rudimentary tasks)
  2. Congruence with career interests
  3. Opportunity to gain perspectives and experiences that will inform career exploration
  4. Consistent supervision from a site supervisor
  5. Opportunities for interactions with other staff

On-site Covid-19 requirements

Site must must agree to operate within the current LA County Public Health Protocols for Workplaces during the on-site internship.  

Only internships that meet the above criteria will be approved. We are available to answer questions at 195CEinfo@college.ucla.edu.

DOMESTIC STUDENTS

Intake appointments for domestic students must be scheduled through myUCLA. For Spring 2024, these appointments will take place March 27-April 12.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

International students must meet with the Dashew Center prior to beginning their internship in order to receive Curricular Practical Training (CPT) authorization. For Spring 2024, intake appointments will take place between February 26-March 15 and March 27-April 12.

Enrollment Instructions

STEP 1: SECURE AN INTERNSHIP

CCE defines an internship as a preprofessional experience that provides training to students so they gain new skills and can learn about a workplace under the direct supervision of a professional in the field.

Search and apply for open internships using internship resources or  UCLA Career Center Handshake.

STEP 3: SELECT A 195CE COURSE

Congrats on securing an internship! Now search 195CE courses by subject area and review syllabi to determine which 195CE course is the best fit.

STEP 4: CREATE A 195CE COURSE CONTRACT

Step-by-step instructions for creating a departmental 195CE contract on myUCLA can be viewed in the video below. Written Instructions are also available. Please obtain your internship site supervisor’s signature on your course contract prior to your intake appointment.  You do NOT need to get signatures of the faculty mentor, department chair, or CCE coordinator.

Please note: While creating the Course Contract, you must insert the following phrase in the third box:  “5 biweekly meetings with a CCE Graduate student instructor, weekly response papers, final research paper, and signed timesheet reflecting 80-100 hours worked at the internship site.”

STEP 5: ENTER FACULTY MENTOR’S NAME

While creating the 195CE contract in MyUCLA, you will be prompted to enter your departmental Faculty Mentor’s name. Simply type in the faculty’s LAST name to search and then select the full name when it appears (please see directions in Step 4):

195CE Department Faculty Mentor
Anthropology Abigail Bingham
Community Engagement & Social Change Douglas Barrera
Disability Studies Victoria Marks
English Joseph Dimuro
Food Studies Amy Rowat
International and Area Studies Adam Moore
Music Industry Robert Fink
Political Science Michael Ross
Public Affairs Rebecca Crane
Public Health Lindsay Rice
Society and Genetics Jessica Lynch
Sociology Jessica Collett
Note: Please DO NOT request a signature from the faculty mentor OR the department chair. You are only responsible for acquiring your site supervisor’s signature before the intake appointment.

STEP 6: REQUEST SIGNATURE ON LETTER OF AGREEMENT

Please review and request a signature from your internship site supervisor on the 195CE Learning Agreement before your intake appointment. Electronic signature is acceptable.

STEP 7: SCHEDULE AN INTAKE APPOINTMENT


Domestic  Students
You will be able to self-schedule an intake appointment on MyUCLA.
“Academics” tab → “Advising and Academic Services” section → “Appointments” → “Create Appointment” → “Organization” → “Center for Community Engagement ”  → “195CE Intake”.
Please refer to the Course Offerings page for the name of the Graduate Student Instructor corresponding with the department course of your choosing.

International Students
“You will be able to self-schedule an intake appointment on MyUCLA.
“Academics” tab → “Advising and Academic Services” section → “Appointments” → “Create Appointment” → “Organization” → “Center for Community Engagement ”  → “195CE Intake”. 

STEP 8: DEPARTMENT ENROLLS YOU IN 195CE

After the Graduate Student Instructor reviews and approves your 195CE course contract at your intake appointment, they will forward your 195CE contract and letter of agreement to the departmental Student Affairs Officer to complete the enrollment.

  • You are not responsible for obtaining the Faculty Mentor or Chair signature- only your Graduate Student Instructor and Site Supervisor. 
  • Once enrolled, the course will appear on your myUCLA study list and your Graduate Student Instructor will provide you with next steps. It is your responsibility to check your study list to ensure the course has posted.

STEP 9: VERIFICATION OF ACADEMIC CREDIT*

*Optional: If your internship site requires Verification of Academic Credit, please review the information from the Registrar website regarding proof of enrollment (and included below):

Students may obtain a letter that verifies academic credit is being received for a 195CE internship course by using the internship letter request. Students must be enrolled in the 195CE class before submitting this request.

INTERNSHIP RESOURCES

You can discover and apply for an internship in a variety of ways:UCLA Career Center Handshake Image. Visit ucla.joinhandshake.com to sign up and begin searching for internships.

  1. Sign-up for Handshake through the UCLA Career Center.
  2. Review internship search strategies from the UCLA Career Center: Internship Search  Strategies and Additional Strategies
  3. Review internship networking and search opportunities from UCLA Alumni Affairs: UCLA One and Internship Alumni Network
  4. Watch informational videos on YouTube about finding and securing internships from the UCLA Career Center, including “Internships 101: Internship Courses at UCLA” which was a collaborative workshop with the Center for Community Engagement.
  5. State and National Internships: UC Center Sacramento and UCLA Quarter in Washington program
  6. Online Resources: Idealist.org; internshipprograms.com; Internships.com; losangelesinternships.com
  7. Department and personal contacts

GENERAL INFORMATION/COURSES OFFERED

How can I receive academic credit for an internship?

The Center for Community Engagement assists students, faculty and community-based sites with internship courses through several academic departments. Consult the chart on our website for details about available courses. Alternatively, you may consult your major and/or minor student affairs officer/academic advisor to review options for enrolling in a 185, 195, or 196 the department may offer.

I want to get credit in a discipline/major you don’t administer, what can I do?

Contact the department’s undergraduate academic advisor. But remember, many of the 195CE courses are open to students in any major.

I don’t need or want academic credit for my internship, but the company needs confirmation that I am enrolled.

If an organization requires verification of internship credit, there are three ways students can provide with that information. Note that verification of credit can only be provided AFTER enrollment paperwork has been fully processed and the 195CE internship course appears on the student’s study list for the quarter.

1. Students can submit a copy of their study list or unofficial transcript showing that they are currently enrolled in a 195CE internship course;

2. Students can obtain a copy of the completed contract course form (with all the signatures) from an academic department; or

3. Students can obtain a letter of verification from UCLA’s Registrar’s Office (1131 Murphy Hall). There is a $15 fee for this service verifying that an intern is receiving academic credit. Please advise students to request this letter of verification in person at the Registrar’s Office. Note that this letter will only be available AFTER the student’s enrollment paperwork is fully processed and the 195CE course appears on the student’s schedule of classes for the quarter.

Can I receive credit for an on-campus internship?

Your major and/or minor department may offer 185, 195, or 196 options for receiving credit for on-campus internships. However the Center for Community Engagement only offers credit for off-campus internships through 195CE.

You cannot enroll in a 195CE if you have an on-campus internship. An alternative would be to set up an independent study research course (196 contracts) with an individual faculty member. For 196 contracts, you are responsible for finding a faculty mentor to sponsor your independent study. Contact the undergraduate academic advisor/student affairs officer in the department that interests you for assistance.

Can I get paid and receive credit for my internship at the same time?

Yes, you may receive both – get paid by your internship and receive credit for your internship. However, positions that would be classified strictly as part-time or full-time jobs by the Department of Labor (including most retail and commission-based sales positions) are NOT eligible for credit.

How many hours a week can I work at my internship?

195CE internship courses require a minimum of 8-10 hours per week (minimum 80 hours per quarter). When arranging a weekly work schedule with their internship supervisor, students should take care to leave time in their schedule to complete the assignments for their 195CE course and any other courses they may be taking during the quarter. The Center for Community Engagement discourages students from interning more than part-time (15-20 hours per week), particularly when positions are unpaid.

Can I enroll in two internship courses during the same quarter?

Students are permitted to take only one 195CE course in a given quarter. 

I started my internship two months ago, can I still receive credit?

You cannot enroll retroactively into a 195CE course. You must be enrolled in the course and interning simultaneously. Also, your internship must continue at least 8 weeks of the quarter in which you are enrolled in the course.

I want to do an internship next quarter. How do I get started? Can I enroll now?

You will need to secure an internship before you can actually enroll in a 195CE course. Helpful resources are located on our Resources tab. Please review the Eligibility and Enrollment pages for up-to-date timelines.

How many units can I receive for an internship course?

The 195CE internship courses are 4 units.

How many times can I take an internship course?

You may take one 195CE internship course per quarter, through the Center for Community Engagement. If you enroll for two or more consecutive quarters at the same internship site, you must enroll in a different internship course each quarter (e.g. if you have a yearlong internship at ABC News, you may take Political Science 195CE, English 195CE, and History 195CE).

ELIGIBILITY/COURSE REQUIREMENTS

I’m an international student. Can I earn credit for an internship?

Only full-time international students who are earning a degree at UCLA or full-time international exchange students are generally eligible for 195CE internship courses. International students should first consult their Student Counselor at the Dashew Center to confirm eligibility and receive advice about required paperwork, including the process for securing Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Academic Training (AT) authorization. Once you have confirmed that you are eligible to intern in the US, schedule an intake appointment at the Center for Community Engagement, complete your enrollment paperwork, and then contact the Dashew Center to request CPT or AT authorization.

I am an undergraduate student at another university. Can I enroll in an internship course at UCLA?

Only during summer session and only if you are a current full-time student at another university (i.e. no recent graduates). Contact the Center for Community Engagement for more information.

I’m an incoming transfer student. Can I enroll in a summer internship course before the start of my first fall quarter at UCLA?

Yes, incoming transfer students are eligible to enroll—as long as you have been admitted to UCLA and have a UCLA university ID (UID) number.

I’m a UCLA Extension student. Can I enroll in an internship course?

No, only matriculated (officially registered) UCLA students are eligible to enroll. 

I recently graduated. Can I receive credit for my internship?

No. The 195CE internship courses are open to currently enrolled UCLA students only.

What are the eligibility requirements to enroll in a 195CE internship course?

  • Have already secured a corporate, nonprofit, or government internship
  • Junior standing (completed at least 90 units) and at least a 3.0 GPA or Senior standing (completed at least 135 units)
  • No incomplete grades in any 195-199 independent study courses

What are the course requirements?

  • Work at least 8-10 hours per week with an off-campus internship site
  • Bi-weekly meetings with an assigned Graduate Student Instructor who facilitates your coursework
  • Weekly journals/writing assignments
  • Final research paper

What types of internships are eligible for academic credit?

The 195CE courses are set up for students with internships in a corporate, non-profit or governmental agency. CCE defines an internship as a preprofessional experience that provides training to students so they gain new skills and can learn about a workplace under the direct supervision of a professional in the field. The internship must involve challenging college-level work and must take place with a supervised off-campus workplace site (no home offices). The field of your internship does not have to be directly connected to your major/minor or to the department under which you enroll, unless specified by the course description. For example, a Neuroscience major interning at Sony Music may enroll in Sociology 195CE.

My internship is not in Los Angeles; can I still enroll in a 195CE internship course?

Students who are engaging in remote internships can enroll in a 195CE internship course as long as the internship meets the eligibility guidelines. Students who wish to intern while participating in a study abroad program at another university should contact the International Education Office to discuss options.

I do not have junior or senior standing. Can I enroll in a 195CE internship course?

No. In accordance with UCLA policy  for contract courses numbered 195 and above, 195CE courses are only open to students who have reached junior standing and completed at least 90 units. Lower-division students with an internship that requires credit can defer the internship until a later quarter or consult their home department about options for earning credit. Other options for gaining community-based work experience that are open to students of any class standing include securing internships with nonprofit and government agencies (which do not require academic credit), and enrolling in experiential learning (XP) courses.

My major is not one of the departments that offers a 195CE course. Can I still enroll if I have an internship?

Yes. Many 195CE internship courses are open to all majors. See our Course Offerings for specific eligibility requirements and restrictions.

ENROLLMENT

How do I enroll in a 195CE Internship Course?

Please review our Enrollment page for a detailed, step-by-step process and instructional video. If you need assistance or have questions after reviewing the instructions, please email our front desk staff at 195CEinfo@college.ucla.edu.

CURRENTLY ENROLLED STUDENTS

I cannot meet during my GSI’s office hours. What can I do?

All of the Graduate Student Instructors’ office hours are set for the quarter. If the enrollment deadline has not already passed (Friday of Week 2), consult the Center for Community Engagement about enrolling in a different 195CE course that accommodates your schedule. If the quarter is already underway, you will need to adjust your schedule in order to make the required bi-weekly meetings.

I’ve been emailing my Graduate Student Instructor and they are not responding.

Graduate Student Instructors are graduate students who are part-time employees, so they are not available all the time. Please try to reach your GSI during their scheduled office hours. If you are still unable to get ahold of them, please contact the Senior TA Coordinator, Suzannah Beiner, at scady@college.ucla.edu.

When is my final paper due?

Final papers are due Friday of Week 10. Detailed instructions are available in the course syllabus. Specific questions about the final paper should be addressed to your Graduate Student Instructor.

I need to drop the course. What should I do?

First, contact your Graduate Student Instructor to let them know that you plan to drop the course. They will advise you about drop procedures. Second, consult the Registrar’s website for course drop details or your major and/or minor academic advisor/student affairs officer for assistance. International students must also consult the Dashew Center before dropping an internship course. For international students, dropping is generally not advised due to complications related to CPT authorization.

Am I able to change my internship site once the course has begun?

This is not allowed. Please contact your Graduate Student Instructor immediately to discuss your situation. The final decision is made in consultation with the Senior TA Coordinator, Academic Coordinator, and the Center for Community Engagement Director.

I have not received my grade yet. When will it be posted?

Grades can take 1-2 weeks to post after the end of finals week. If more time than this has passed, final grades may have been delayed if the department did not submit the grades before the posting deadline. Please contact your Graduate Student Instructor, who will follow up with the department.

The company where I am interning needs a letter verifying that I am receiving credit for my internship. Where do I get this?

If your internship site requires Verification of Academic Credit, please review the information from the Registrar website regarding proof of enrollment (and included below):

Students may obtain a letter that verifies academic credit is being received for a 195CE internship course by using the internship letter request. Students must be enrolled in the 195CE class before submitting this request.

How do I make an appointment with a Graduate Student Instructor?

Graduate Student Instructors host intake and course appointments during scheduled Office Hours. Please make your intake appointment and all course appointments through MyUCLA.

How do I cancel an appointment with my GSI?

You may reschedule or cancel your appointment via MyUCLA. Please also email your Graduate Student Instructor to let them know that you have canceled and/or rescheduled your appointment.

I want to leave my internship site or I got fired from my internship. Can I still pass the course?

To pass the course you must complete all requirements, which include fulfilling the minimum number of hours for the entire quarter. Please contact your Graduate Student Instructor immediately to discuss your situation. The final decision is made in consultation with the Senior TA Coordinator, Academic Coordinator, and the Center for Community Engagement Director.

Questions about 195CE? Email us!

2022 Internship Scholarships

Kramer & Siebert Scholarships – UCLA International Institute 

Multiple scholarships of at least $1,000 will be awarded to students who have secured internships during Spring or Summer. Students demonstrating financial need, who are participating in internships abroad, who are advancing their understanding of international issues and/or financial literacy are especially encouraged to apply.