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Urban Studies Internship Program

What is it?

Course Description

Students taking the Urban Studies Internship Program work in a professional field that affords a window on the contemporary city. Placement is in a public or private sector position referenced to a major urban institution such as criminal justice and government, education, health care, the arts, social welfare, and communications. Examples of affiliations in the past include the NYPD, the Department of Corrections, local newspapers, radio and TV stations, NYPIRG, local elected officials and community planning boards, hospitals and private medical practices. Three course offerings are available:

  • UBST 101 – 3 Credits
  • UBST 202 – 3 Credits
  • UBST 102 – 6 Credits

Students may take a total of 6 credits toward a degree (UBST 202 counts as the second 3 credit course). The 3 credit course requires 135 hours on site. The 6 credit course requires 270 hours. See link to course outline below.

Course Outline for Urban Studies Internship Program

  1. Social Sciences Department, UBST
  2. 101, 102, 202; Urban Studies Program
  3. Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter; 3 and 6 credit internships
  4. Donald Tricarico, PhD; M121; Office Hours: 2-3 m,t,th; (718) 631-6015; [email protected]
  5. Readings and other texts are specific to internship chosen by student.
  6. The Urban Studies Internship Program offers the student an approach to urban institutions as a practitioner. Students are assigned placement in a public or private sector field related to a major urban institution such as government, criminal justice, education, health care, and communications. There are many internships available in the public sector (e.g., working in the office of a local assemblyman or a city school) although appropriate private sector opportunities may be considered (e.g., working for a local newspaper). Internship assignments are based on the interests of the student and the availability of positions.
  7. General Education objectives:
  8. Course Objectives: Internships give students practical, hands-on experience in an urban profession.
  9. Internships have to be secured as early as possible, so students should contact the professor soon after registration. Students are provided with a letter of introduction from the supervisor of the Urban Studies Program which includes contact information and a mission statement which serves as a contract for the internship. This letter is to accompany the student for an interview with the workplace supervisor.
  10. Course assessment is based on an evaluation submitted in writing by the internship site supervisor, and; a research paper. A topic for the paper will be developed from field notes which are a documentary record of the internship experience. The particular work experience will be referenced to a wider set of urban issues or problems (e.g., the relationship of the state assemblyman to the community, particular constituencies, and other urban institutions). Essays should include appropriate literature and support data. A topic must be proposed in writing one month prior to the end of the semester. The final draft must be submitted during Final Exam week.
  11. A total of 113 hours is required for 3 credit courses (UBST101 and 201) and 225 hours for the 6 credit course (UBST 102). Students must submit a log of days and times worked signed by an appropriate site supervisor at the completion of the semester. Students are required to maintain regular contact with the Program supervisor. Periodic conferences on campus are coordinated with fieldwork. The purpose of these conferences is to allow the supervisor to gauge the progress of the internship and to guide the development of a topic for the course paper; one conference will be set aside for a forum of internship students enrolled for the semester.  Students are also required to regularly monitor their Tiger Mail.
  12. The Social Sciences Department Integrity Policy adheres to the standards described by the college (see College Catalogue). Within the framework of the college policy sanctions for violations of academic integrity are left to the discretion of the instructor. Students may appeal sanctions to the Chair who will refer the appeal to a departmental committee on Academic Integrity for review.
  13. As stated in the college catalogue, any student who needs specific accommodations based upon the impact of a disability should register with the office of Services for Students with Special Disabilities (SSD) to be eligible for accommodations which are determined on an individual basis. The SSD office is located in the Science Building, room S132 (718.631.6257). Students should also contact their instructor privately to discuss their specific needs.

Who Is Eligible?

Open only to matriculated students who have achieved a minimum cumulative index of 2.5 and completed 24 credits and/or are recommended by the faculty. A student may register for a maximum of 6 credits in the internship program. The student is strongly encouraged to contact the supervisor before the start of the semester in order to secure optimal and timely placement.  Students may not receive credit for both UBST 101 and/or UBST 202.

What Do Interns Do?

Internships offer on-the-job professional training in representative urban occupations such as social work, government, public interest activism, criminal justice, law, education, communications, health care, and cultural affairs. Students are required to work a minimum number of hours a week, attend regular meetings with the internship supervisor, and participate in a campus-wide Internship Forum during the semester. A grade of pass/fail is based on work evaluations and a paper.

What Does An Internship Offer?

The Urban Studies Internship Program can help you answer that often critical question of, "What should I major in?", or "What career is best for me?" by providing you with:

  • First-hand experience working in an area you think you might like to pursue
  • Experience in your chosen field to help you qualify for a paying job
  • Filed work to complement your academic courses
  • On the job training and practical life experience while earning college credits

How To Apply

A student application form and further information may be obtained from: Dr. Donald Tricarico

Telephone: 631-6015 or 621-6251

Please note that students are required to pre-register for the program by contacting Dr. Tricarico during the semester prior to registration. Students may not receive credit for both UBST 101 and/or UBST 202.

Eligible students may apply on CUNYFIRST as part of the normal registration process. You are strongly encouraged to email Prof. Tricarico at [email protected] to assist you in course registration.

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