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Home > Fieldwork > PEP
Practical Engagement Program
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 you to combine what you have learned in the classroom with what you observe and experience in the "real world."
SI requires MSI students to earn a portion of their 48 credits as PEP credits (a.k.a., "PEP points") in order to graduate. You earn PEP credits by taking certain courses that allow you to work with outside organizations or by working at credit-based summer internships. Credits earned from internships apply toward the required number of credits for your program.
- Students who entered the program before Fall 2008:
You must earn at least six but no more than 15 PEP credits.
- Students who entered the program Fall 2008 or later:
You must earn at least eight but no more than 15 PEP credits.
Our flexible PEP program meets the needs of all MSI students. In addition, University Library Associates may receive PEP credits for their ULA work. Contact the PEP Office for details.
Courses
Certain SI courses have PEP credits attached to them. In these courses, you may work with an outside organization on projects that are relevant to your academic program. For example, you may conduct studies and surveys or analyze information needs within an organization.
Other courses with PEP credits are practica where faculty supervise students in real-life projects, such as working at the Bentley Historical Library or with the Internet Public Library. Courses must be on the official PEP credits listing for the term in which the class is being taken.
Often, summer internships are eligible for PEP credits and academic credit. Internships are generally full-time work for at least 10 weeks and often include payment. Only those internships that are approved for credit by the PEP Office earn PEP credits. Students need to enroll in SI 690 in order to receive credit and PEP credits for a summer internship. Note that because of the financial implications for some students receiving scholarship aid, it is possible for students who are fulfilling a full-time (360 hours or more) internship to enroll in the fall term immediately following the summer they work. The School of Information has made arrangements with the Rackham Graduate School to allow students to enroll in SI 681. Enrollment in 681 is by permission only.
- Available internships are posted to iTrack, SI's premier online recruiting system. You can use this sophisticated system to search for internships by industry area, preferred job function(s), geographic location, and/or by keyword search. Through iTrack, you can create search agents to be automatically notified when an internship is posted that matches your criteria. Not all internships listed on iTrack meet the School's requirements for academic credit. Check with the PEP Office if you need to determine this before you apply for an internship.
- Check out the U-M Career Center →. The Career Center has an extensive list of available internships.
Last updated: May 30, 2008
Home > Fieldwork > PEP
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PEP in Brief
- Earn PEP credits for field work
- PEP credits required for MSI:
- Before Fall 2008: 6-15
- Fall 2008 on: 8-15
- PEP work also earns academic credit toward 48-credit MSI
- Ways to earn PEP credits
- Certain SI courses
- Credit-based internship (paid or unpaid)
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