Sociology Internships

About the Sociology Internship Program

Sociology and medical sociology majors and minors can earn credit for an internship by completing the Sociology 488 course (permission required; apply well in advance of the planned semester of enrollment). The objective of the SOC 488 Internship is two-fold:

1. to provide students with hands-on work experience to develop transferable knowledge and skills in a relevant career field such as social service, non-profit, or governmental organizations and
2. to meaningfully reflect on that professional experience by applying sociological knowledge from your coursework and/or independent research.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for a Sociology internship you must:

1. Have earned a minimum of 30 credit hours (Sophomore standing or above)
2. Be a major OR minor in Sociology or Medical Sociology (We can help you declare/add a major or minor if you’re not already!)
3. Have successfully completed (earned a C or better) in at least 6 credits in Sociology (Exemptions from this requirement will be considered on a case by case basis if you have other coursework or experience you believe makes you otherwise qualified for a position.)
4. Enroll in SOC 488 during the term of your internship

Internship Requirements

• You must work a minimum of 40 internship hours per credit hour earned (i.e., 80 work hours for 2 credit hours or 120 work hours for 3 credit hours). A minimum of 80 hours is typically expected by most of our community partners, with 120 hours preferred.
• Internship work will be overseen by an on-site coordinator at the employing agency or organization. The majority of work is expected to occur on-site at the agency or organization (or affiliated community sites), although some internships may allow some remote work.
• In addition to the internship work hours, interns must register for SOC 488 and complete a series of academic requirements culminating in a final paper or project that links the real-world internship to sociological concepts or theories. Academic work will be overseen by the Sociology Internship Director.

Application Process

There are three ways in which a sociology internship can be secured:

1. General Application: Students who are generally interested in an internship and meet the eligibility requirements can fill out the Sociology Internship Application to request placement for the upcoming semester. General applications must be submitted no later than the end of Week 6 of any semester for consideration for the following term. The Sociology Internship Director will then work with approved applicants to identify an internship placement site based on their individual interests and career goals.
2. Position-Specific Application: When sociology internship positions are available at specific community partners, the department will distribute internship application calls for these positions. Watch your email or check the “Current Internship Opportunities” link below for more information about available positions. Applications will often only be open for a limited amount of time so apply right away when you see a position of interest!
3. Student-Identified Internship: Students who meet the eligibility requirements also have the option of identifying their own internship sites. Students are encouraged to apply for internship positions they locate through the UAB Career Center or contact employers directly about available opportunities. If you are selected for a position and want to earn course credit, the Sociology Internship Director can work with you and your employer to evaluate whether the position is eligible for departmental credit.

Visit the “Sociology Internship Application” page to submit an application today!

Available Internship Opportunities

Visit the “Current Internship Opportunities” page to check if any positions are currently available. If no positions are available or you don’t find something that meets your interests/qualifications, you can always submit a General Application for the following semester and the Sociology Internship Director will help approved students find an internship placement that fits their interest and career goals!

Check out the “Past Sociology Interns” page to learn more about a day in the life of past interns and the community organizations for whom they worked!

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