Learning Sciences and Technologies

Our Internship Program gives you an in-depth understanding of how learning occurs in out-of-school environments, such as the Franklin Institute science museum, the Philadelphia Mural Arts Program, the Philadelphia Zoo, and the Free Library of Philadelphia. During your studies, you will work at your internship site and, in parallel, be enrolled in a seminar that addresses informal learning, site-specific topics, and reflexive practice. In previous years, interns have prepared workshops, designed communication materials, curated exhibitions, and written literature reviews for publication.

The Teaching, Learning, and Leadership division's close-knit partnerships leverage a range of Philadelphia organizations – including major science institutions, small museums, and after-school organizations – to provide dynamic internships that engage students with sites of informal learning with K-12 populations. Each partner organization is characterized by dedicated staff who work in established informal learning programs. The internship is designed so that you can draw on your experience for your Master’s Capstone Project, allowing you to synthesize your core coursework, applied internship, and professional interests into a powerful learning experience. 

Our program is competitive, and we can only accommodate sites that are able to meet the program’s requirements. The program selects partner sites based on an established set of criteria, and potential partners are vetted for close fit with our program. We will match you with a partner institution, based on your interests, availability, and site preferences. Early in the internship, you will observe work at your site, establish weekly hours, and sign an internship contract. We work closely with part-time students who hold regular employment to ensure that your internship placement complements your schedule.

On-site supervisors at partner institutions advise students every two weeks. You are expected to work a total of 60 hours; you determine your internship schedule in collaboration with your supervisor. Both site supervisors and interns complete an exit survey at the end of the internship.