Independent studies and internships - undergraduate level

One of the most rewarding things you can do while you are a student at UW Tacoma is independent study. Employers and graduate schools like to see this experience in your college education because it prepares you for the world in ways that the classroom experience does not. Independent work develops your initiative, responsibility and creativity. It shows you have the qualities to work independently on projects, and you take pride in your work.

Independent study experiences are not designed to simply "provide extra credit." These opportunities allow you to expand your educational experience by trying different jobs or diving deeper into a topic of interest through research. You may earn a maximum of 15 independent study credits at UW Tacoma. Internships may account for up to 10 of these credits.

Both the Career Development and Education staff and your academic adviser can offer advice on finding internships and other independent study opportunities.

Types of Independent Study

Directed Readings (TESC and TIAS, 1-5 credits per quarter, Graded or Credit/No Credit)

Under the supervision of a faculty member, students read advanced scholarly material of mutual interest. Students are expected to submit a bibliography of works to be read along with their completed Independent Study Form for Directed Readings. In addition to other agreed-upon assignments (critical book/film reviews, etc.), students typically are expected to complete a final paper. Generally, a 4-5 page paper equals one (1) credit.

How do I register for directed readings?

1. Select a topic and develop a plan for what you will research, read, and write. Starting this early and working with a faculty member will help you create a strong and achievable plan.
2. Your directed readings independent study option allows you to select between 1 and 5 credits, as well as graded or credit/no credit grading options.
3. Contact a faculty member with your plan of work and study. Consider which member of the IAS faculty teaches courses in a similar area. It helps to have taken a course from that faculty member and know they have a familiarity with the curriculum that parallels your interests. Please note that part-time faculty are under no obligation to oversee independent study options, and contracts with part-time faculty advisers will require review by the IAS Associate Director before an entry code is issued.
4. Once you and your faculty adviser have agreed on the scope of the independent study, complete the appropriate form. Forms must be typed. It is your responsibility to obtain the appropriate course number and SLN from the quarterly registration guide. Both you and the faculty adviser must sign the completed form.
5. Check with an IAS adviser or faculty member about appropriate placement of these independent study credits for your major.
6. Make copies of the signed form (the original will be kept in the IAS program office) so you have copies for your faculty adviser yourself. Bring the original signed form to the IAS program office to obtain an entry code for registration.
7. Completion of the form does not mean you are automatically enrolled in the course. Use the entry code to register before the 10th day of the quarter.

What form do I use?

Directed readings form for TESC or TIAS 498
This must be signed by you and your faculty adviser before submitting to the IAS program office for an entry code.

Undergraduate Research (TESC and TIAS, 1-5 credits, Graded or Credit/No Credit)

Undergraduate Research involves working with a faculty member on an advanced research project of mutual interest. In addition to working on the research project, students will be expected to complete at least one final paper. Generally, a 4-5 page paper equals one (1) credit.

How do I register for undergraduate research?

1. Select a topic and develop a plan for what you will research, read, and write. Starting this early and working with a faculty member will help you create a strong and achievable plan.
2. Your undergraduate research independent study option allows you to select between 1 and 5 credits, as well as graded or credit/no credit grading options.
3. Contact a faculty member with your plan of work and study. Consider which member of the IAS faculty teaches courses in a similar area. It helps to have taken a course from that faculty member and know they have a familiarity with the curriculum that parallels your interests. Please note that part-time faculty are under no obligation to oversee independent study options, and contracts with part-time faculty advisers will require review by the IAS Associate Director before an entry code is issued.
4. Once you and your faculty adviser have agreed on the scope of the independent study, complete the appropriate form. Forms must be typed. It is your responsibility to obtain the appropriate course number and SLN from the quarterly registration guide. Both you and the faculty adviser must sign the completed form.
5. Check with an IAS adviser or faculty member about appropriate placement of these independent study credits for your major.
6. Make copies of the signed form (the original will be kept in the IAS program office) so you have copies for your faculty adviser yourself. Bring the original signed form to the IAS program office to obtain an entry code for registration.
7. Completion of the form does not mean you are automatically enrolled in the course. Use the entry code to register before the 10th day of the quarter.

What form do I use?

Undergraduate research form for TESC or TIAS 499
This must be signed by you and your faculty adviser before submitting to the IAS program office for an entry code.

Senior Thesis (TESC and TIAS, 5 credits only, Graded only)

Senior Thesis is an independent research project planned and carried out by the student under the direction of a faculty member on a significant scholarly topic selected by the student in consultation with the faculty member. Generally, a 35-50 page thesis is expected. This course is required for Communications majors on the research track.

How do I register for my senior thesis?

1. Select a topic and develop a plan for what you will research, read, and write. Starting this early and working with a faculty member will help you create a strong and achievable plan.
2. Your thesis is a culminating work and can only be taken for 5 credits, unlike other independent study options that allow for 1 to 5 credits.
3. Contact a faculty member with your plan of work and study. Consider which member of the IAS faculty teaches courses in a similar area. It helps to have taken a course from that faculty member and know they have a familiarity with the curriculum that parallels your interests. Please note that part-time faculty are under no obligation to oversee independent study options, and contracts with part-time faculty advisers will require review by the IAS Associate Director before an entry code is issued.
4. Once you and your faculty adviser have agreed on the scope of the independent study, complete the appropriate form. Forms must be typed. It is your responsibility to obtain the appropriate course number and SLN from the quarterly registration guide. Both you and the faculty adviser must sign the completed form.
5. Check with an IAS adviser or faculty member about appropriate placement of these independent study credits for your major.
6. Make copies of the signed form (the original will be kept in the IAS program office) so you have copies for your faculty adviser yourself. Bring the original signed form to the IAS program office to obtain an entry code for registration.
7. Completion of the form does not mean you are automatically enrolled in the course. Use the entry code to register before the 10th day of the quarter.

What form do I use?

Senior thesis form for TESC or TIAS 497
This must be signed by you and your faculty adviser before submitting to the IAS program office for an entry code.

Internship (TESC 1-10 credits, TIAS 1-5 credits, Credit/No Credit only, Maximum of 10 credits; Internships are available during your final 45 credits)

Internships combine academics and work at a site outside the classroom setting. Details about the academic and work expectations are outlined in a mutually agreed-upon contract between the work site supervisor, a faculty member, and a student. In addition to working at the site, students are expected to complete academic requirements including a work log/journal, a final paper related to the work project and a self-evaluation of the internship experience. Generally, three (3) hours of work per week during an eleven-week quarter is equal to one (1) credit.

What is an internship?

Internships combine academics and work at a site outside the classroom setting. They provide students with a unique opportunity to work on carefully selected projects with an employer, and under the direct supervision of a faculty member who has an interest in this area of study. Internships offer opportunities for career exploration and provide IAS students with opportunities to explore employment/academic options while simultaneously receiving college credit. Internships provide valuable work experience that can be included on students' resumes.
Internships must be mutually beneficial to both the student and the employer. An internship experience is an integrated academic and professional experience aimed at growth and development. The employing agency is expected to assign the student tasks that are of interest and educational value as well as of benefit to the agency/business.
Internships may be paid or unpaid. Payment for internship work is subject to business/agency policy and is negotiated between the student and the business/agency. Whether or not the student is paid has no bearing on the granting of credit provided all requirements of the Internship Learning Agreement are met successfully.
Faculty sponsorship of internships is at the discretion of the IAS faculty. Details about the academic and work expectations are outlined in a mutually agreed-upon contract between the work site supervisor, a faculty member, and a student. In addition to working at the site, students are expected to complete agreed-upon academic requirements.
Students considering pursuing internships should prepare during the quarter preceding the one in which they plan to register for the internship.

How do I register for an internship?

1. Determine the type of work you wish to do and identify the learning objectives you wish to accomplish by engaging in this type of work.
2. Select the work site and identify a site supervisor. You may identify your own potential work sites within the community, or visit UW Tacpma Career Services to review the various types of internships completed by other students. Local businesses, government, non-profit agencies, and educational institutions regularly utilize interns. Some IAS faculty members know community members who would be excellent site supervisors and can help you make this connection. Contact a supervisor at the potential work site to discuss an internship for you.
3. Contact a faculty member with your plan of work and study. Consider which member of the IAS faculty teaches courses in a similar area. It greatly helps to have taken a course from that faculty member and have a familiarity with the curriculum that parallels what you wish to accomplish in your internship experience.
4. Determine the number of credits you wish to attempt. Generally, 3 hours/week on site over the course of an 11 week quarter will earn 1 credit. In addition to working at the site, students are expected to complete academic requirements including a work log/journal, a final paper related to the work project and a self-evaluation of the internship experience.
5. Check with an IAS adviser or faculty member about appropriate placement of these internship credits in your program of study. Remember, internships are offered only on a credit/no credit basis.
6. Once you, the faculty member, and the site supervisor have an agreed-upon plan, complete the Internship Form. Forms must be typed. It is your responsibility to obtain the appropriate course number and SLN from the quarterly registration guide. Sign the completed form.
7. Ask your faculty sponsor and site supervisor to review and sign the completed form. Make copies of the signed form (the original will be kept in the IAS program office) so you have copies for your faculty sponsor, your site supervisor, and for your own records. Bring the original signed form to the IAS Program Office to obtain an entry code for registration.
8. Completion of the form does not mean you are automatically enrolled in the course. Use the entry code to register before the 10th day of the quarter.

What are the academic requirements?

Meetings: In addition to the initial development meetings, students are expected to confer on a weekly basis at a specified time, with either the field supervisor or the faculty sponsor to review and assess the student's performance and progress in the internship. Conferencing via email is also encouraged.
Course Assignments: Work Log - Students must maintain a weekly work log in which they keep a record of their work and their comments and reflections on it. The log should be submitted to the faculty sponsor at least twice during the quarter and again with the final paper. Final Paper - Students must submit a paper at the end of the quarter. The paper should provide an analysis of an issue or issues related to the field work experience, and should use relevant books, articles, and other reference sources suggested and approved by the faculty sponsor, to give depth and a broader perspective to work experiences. The paper may vary in length according to the number of credits being earned: 1-2 credits = 4-5 pages, 3-4 credits = 7-8 pages, 5 credits = 10-15 pages. Self Evaluation - Students must submit an evaluation of their internship, 1‑2 pages in length, indicating whether their goals were met, how they performed their responsibilities, and whether their ideas and attitudes changed as a result of the experience.

What form do I use?

Internship form for TESC or TIAS 496
This must be signed by you, your faculty adviser, and your site supervisor before submitting to the IAS program office for an entry code.