Course-based opportunities

UMSI students engage with real-world information problems in the classroom. Through client-based course projects, skill development workshops within courses, and global courses, students are able to directly apply the tools and ideas they are learning in their courses.

Client-based courses

The Engaged Learning Office (ELO) recruits and sources hundreds of projects from local and global organizations to bring to students within UMSI courses. Client-based courses provide students with high-impact learning experiences. Students gain confidence communicating with a client and collaborating with a team, while developing deliverables they can include in their portfolios.

Courses include

Organizations from all industries and sectors are invited to propose information-based projects for UMSI students to work on. Learn more here.

Students and community members talking in a living room. — *UMSI students interview residents in their home as part of user research for the city of Ann Arbor.*

Skill development workshops within courses

Working in partnership with faculty, the ELO delivers classroom-based skill development workshops on topics such as client communication, teamwork, community-based engagement, design and innovation, and project management. Each workshop provides an introduction to the topic, an active learning activity and a reflection component. By offering multiple opportunities for skill development, UMSI seeks to prepare students to be competitive in today’s job market and, more broadly, within society.

A person giving a presentation to a group of people who are sitting at tables. — *UMSI students attend a workshop led by Kelly Kowatch, director of the ELO.*

Global courses

Global courses give students the opportunity to travel to another country and learn through coursework while also practicing important information and cultural intelligence skills. UMSI offers semester-long and short-term study abroad opportunities for undergraduate students. Learn more about global opportunities.

A group of people walking down a sidewalk using canes — *Students completed a website project in Cape Town, South Africa, with the League of the Friends of the Blind.*

Interested in learning more about these courses? Email [email protected].