You may enroll with the permission of your academic advisor after completing 12 to 16 hours of core courses (300- or 400-level) at UIS. Most students will be 2nd-semester juniors or seniors while doing an applied study.
A proposal for an applied study experience is submitted to the student’s academic advisor for endorsement. After beginning the AST, the student must submit a detailed Learning Contract, have a site visit, keep a comprehensive journal, attend required AST seminars either on campus (Springfield or Peoria) or online, and write midterm and final self assessments.
After discussing the program with the applied study faculty, you will receive suggestions of possible placements and opportunities to explore. Students also receive assistance with resume preparation and interviewing techniques.
Varied experiences are available according to student needs and interests. AST experiences have involved students in business, government, community services, biological and environmental enterprises, marketing, development, public relations, historical research, creative arts, and health and personal service occupations.
Special field experiences such as Legislative Applied Study Term (LAST), research with a professor or creative wriitng projects are available to consider as well as travel or study abroad.
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AST can be done as part of a temporary employment assignment or with your current employer with a new learning experience that will fulfill specific educational needs and career exploration.
Talk with your work supervisor about the possibility of special projects or assignments that may not have been completed due to time constraints or lack of staff or a temporary re-assignment to a new department. Such projects can be done over two semesters working 10 hours a week.
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All experiences must be no less than 8 weeks in length, but the hours worked are determined by a simple formula: each credit = 40-50 hours “on the clock.”
Close discussion between you and your academic advisor will help ensure that your AST will fulfill your specific educational needs and career explorations.
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Often the academic advisor (or a faculty member of the program) or a member of the AST faculty will serve as the student’s UIS supervisor of the AST experience.
This advisor will make at least one on-site visit during the learning project to discuss the student’s learning experiences with the student and the field supervisor. Telephone visits are used for online students.
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The AST is graded on a credit/no credit basis determined by the requirements (Learning Contract, journal and self assessments) and by the evaluations submitted by the Field Supervisor. Your UIS Supervisor will grant the credit.
