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The Practical Engagement Program (PEP) is an integral part of the School of Information's professional master's program. PEP integrates the application of knowledge and skills to specific problems outside the classroom, and both enables and requires students to combine what is learned in the classroom with what is observed and experienced in the "real world."

SI requires MSI students to earn a portion of their 48 credits as PEP credits in order to graduate. Students earn PEP credits by enrolling in courses that allow for the opportunity to work with outside organizations in client-based opportunities or by working at credit-based summer internships.

A select number of SI courses have client-based opportunities associated with them. SI students receive PEP credits from enrolling in these course and client organizations receive professional-level services. In these courses, students work with an external organization on projects that are relevant to the academic program.

There are a wide range of client opportunities that include website or application usability evaluation, content management system development, database design and development, digital preservation consultation, and much more.

Benefit to your organization

You will receive professional level services for free that will benefit your organization.  Furthermore, you will also have the opportunity to get a sneak peak at particular SI students you might want to recruit, while exposing students to your organization and services.

How much does this cost?

Being a client for a School of Information PEP course is absolutely free. However, there is some degree of time commitment from each organization, which varies by course opportunity.

When to propose a project

Each course has a unique application process.  See the individual listings below to determine when the deadline is to apply.  Note that at the University of Michigan, fall term runs from September through December and winter term runs from January through April.

Client opportunities

Click on the below titles to learn more about the available opportunities and for course contact information for participation.

SI 501: Contextual Inquiry and Project Management (Fall Term)
Information process flow evaluation by a team of master's students.

SI 602: Practical Engagement Workshop in Digital Preservation (Winter Term)
Digital preservation planning and consultation by an individual master's student.

SI 621: Information, Ethics and Applied Policy (Winter Term)
Research, analysis, and recommendations for a presented policy and technology problem identified by the client.

SI 622: Evaluation of Systems and Services (Winter Term)
Usability evaluation of a website or software application with detailed and actionable feedback.

SI 631: Content Management Systems Practical Engagement Workshop (Fall Term)
Socially oriented content management system/website development by a group of master's students.

SI 682: Interface and Interaction Design (Fall Term)
Website, portable device, user application design or redesign by a group of master's students.