Undergraduate Programs
Advising Q & A
If you don't find your question, or if you want more information than you find here, don't hesitate to contact your academic advisor, or send your question to the advising coordinator at gwalter@uiuc.edu.
Registration
When can I register for next semester?
If you're a continuing student, look for your "time ticket" in the "Registration Eligibility" section at the UI Integrate Student Self-Service client at apps.uillinois.edu about two weeks before the beginning of advance registration. This will show the earliest time you can begin using Student Self-Service to make a schedule. You'll need your Enterprise ID and password to access your Student Self-Service.
If you're unable to access your Student Self-Service, make sure you've established an enterprise password. If you have a password and you still can't gain access, or if you've forgotten your password, Invitation to Register, contact the UI Integrate help service at apps.uillinois.edu/Help.html.
What can I do if a course I want is full?
If you get a message telling you a course is full, contact the department offering the course. They're the only people who can authorize you to register for a course that's already full. If an on-line wait list is available, add your name to the wait list.
If you get a "restriction" message, first determine if you meet the academic standing, class standing, major, prerequisite, or other requirements for the course. If you do, or if you want to see if you can get in the course anyway, contact the department offering the course to see if they are maintaining a waiting list. If they are, have them put your name on it. If you get a "consent required" message, contact the college, department, or instructor as indicated to request authorization to register for the course.
What if I want to carry more than 18 hours of credit?
The UI registration system won't let you sign up for more than 18 hours in a semester (the normal maximum credit load) without the permission of your academic advisor and the dean's office. If you want to carry more, pick up a Request for Overload form in 104 Mumford Hall, or download a PDF version here. Fill in the appropriate information, then take the form to your advisor for a signature. Return the signed form to 104 Mumford. Don't assume your advisor's or the dean's permission is automatic -- be prepared to give good reasons for wanting to carry an overload.
What if I have a hold on my registration?
Your Registration Information may show you have a hold that must be cleared before you can register. If you have a hold, follow the instructions in Registration Information about whom to see, where to go, what to do to remove the hold. If the hold was placed by the College of ACES, go to 104 Mumford Hall. If the hold was placed by the department, contact your academic advisor. If you don't clear the advising hold, you won't be able to register.
Adding & Dropping Courses
When can I add a course to my schedule?
You can add a course at any time after the time shown on your time ticket and before the end of the second week of classes (see the Class Schedule for the date). You may not add a course that will make your credit load greater than 18 hours (an overload) without permission of your advisor and the dean's office.
Any time you add a course after the first day of class, it's wise to contact the instructor to get permission to add the course and to find out about any assignments, textbook recommendations, changes in meeting time or place, and the like.
How do I add a course after the first two weeks of classes?
To add a course after the first two weeks, you need permission of the instructor, the department offering the course, and your academic advisor. Pick up a Late Program Change Form from the college office in 104 Mumford Hall and take it to the instructor, the department, and your advisor. Don't assume any permissions will be automatic -- be prepared to give good reasons for wanting to add late.
When can I drop a course from my schedule?
You can drop a course any time until the end of the eighth week of classes (see the Class Schedule for the date) unless:
- You are a freshman (fewer than 30 hours completed) and the drop would cause you to carry fewer than 14 hours.
- You are a freshman (fewer than 30 hours completed) and the course you want to drop is a required introductory course, such as math, chemistry, rhetoric, speech communication, or the introductory course in your major.
- You are on academic probation.
- You are trying to drop your last course -- i.e., dropping to 0 hours for the semester.
In each of these cases, you should see your academic advisor before you try to drop the course. (Click here for more information.)
Before you drop a course, talk with your academic advisor about your reasons for dropping it and the implications the drop will have for your progress toward your degree. If it's a required course in your program, be sure you'll be able to take it again before you plan to graduate. Also be aware that dropping to fewer than 12 hours will cause you to be classified as a part-time student, which may have implications for your eligibility for financial aid, reduced-price auto insurance, private health insurance, and so forth. If you're a first-year student, dropping to less than full-time status may affect your ability to live in non-University housing next year if you don't complete enough hours to be classified as a sophomore next fall..
How do I drop a course after the 8-week deadline?
Talk to your academic advisor about why you want to drop the course after the deadline. If your advisor supports your request, pick up a Petition to Drop a Course After the Deadline from the college office in 104 Mumford Hall or download a PDF version here. Fill in the portion asking for your reasons for requesting the drop, have your instructor fill in and sign the estimated grade report, and have your advisor sign the petition. Then take the signed petition to the ACES office in 104 Mumford Hall. An assistant dean will review the petition and notify you of the decision within about two weeks. You must continue to attend class and complete assignments in the course until you receive permission to drop the course from the dean's office.
Permission to drop after the 8-week deadline is not automatic and will be granted only in extraordinary circumstances.
Strong reasons for dropping after the deadline include:
- You haven't attended class because you thought you had already dropped the course.
- You told your advisor well in advance of the eighth-week deadline of potential problems in the course, but didn't receive any feedback (e.g., assignment grades or exam scores) until after the eighth week and therefore did not drop the course before the deadline.
- You've encountered extraordinary circumstances, such as serious illness or family emergency, that have interfered with your ability to satisfactorily complete the course.
Weak reasons (which probably won't be honored) include:
- You're failing or doing poorly in the course.
- You're carrying too many hours.
- Your work or living situation is interfering with your ability to do well in the course.
What if the registration system won't let me drop a course?
If you're on academic probation, the registration system won't let you change your schedule without permission from the dean's office. Visit 104 Mumford Hall or call 333-3380 to make an appointment to talk with an assistant dean.
If you're a freshman (fewer than 30 hours completed), you need to consult your academic advisor before you drop a required course such as math, chemistry, rhetoric, speech communication, or the introductory course in your major. Permission to drop a required course is only given for good reasons.
Some strong reasons include:
- You enrolled in the wrong course, or you're in a course that's proven too difficult. Your argument will be strongest if you've already sought help from the course instructor or a tutor.
- You've encountered extraordinary circumstances, such as serious illness or family emergency, that have interfered with your ability to satisfactorily complete the course.
Weak reasons (which probably won't be honored) include:
- You're failing or doing poorly in the course.
- You're carrying too many hours. (Consider dropping a different course.)
- Your work or living situation is interfering with your ability to do well in the course.
Why won't the registration system let me drop my last course?
The UI Integrate registration system treats dropping your schedule to 0 hours the same as withdrawing from the university, even if all you're trying to do is remove one course to make room for another in your schedule. If you're in the process of building your schedule, simply add another course before you drop the first one; this will then enable you to drop the first course and add its replacement.
However, if you're dropping your last course and not planning to complete the semester, you must visit the ACES Office of Academic Programs in 104 Mumford Hall to complete the process of withdrawing from the university. Staff there will inform you of prcedures you'll need to follow to re-enroll for a later semester.
Changing Majors or Advisors
How do I change my academic advisor?
Contact Gerry Walter, the HCD advising coordinator, at 333-9429 or gwalter@uiuc.edu.
How do I change my concentration within my major?
Contact Gerry Walter, the HCD advising coordinator, at 333-9429 or gwalter@uiuc.edu.
How do I change my major to something other than HDFS or AECE?
Contact the advising coordinator or department office of the department that offers the major you want to change to and make an appointment to discuss what you need to do to make the change. Find out if there are any special application procedures, required courses, grade-point minimums, or other requirements needed to transfer. Also ask what courses you should consider taking while you wait to complete your transfer. Until you're sure you can make the transfer, be sure also to take courses that work toward degree requirements in your current major. Work with your HCD advisor to build a schedule that meets your needs.
How do I change my major to HDFS or AECE?
You must submit a special application to transfer into either human development and family studies (HDFS) or agricultural and environmental communications and education (AECE). You can obtain an application from the HCD Records Office in 128 Bevier Hall. Also check the section on this website called "Transferring to an HCD Major."
Getting Help with Course Work
Where can I get help with math?
The place to start is with your math TA -- see if he or she can help explain things for you. The math department also offers free math tutoring; check the bulletin board outside 273 Altgeld Hall for times and places. Or you can ask the receptionist in 273 Altgeld for the list of private tutors you can hire for a fee.
Where can I get help with chemistry?
The place to start is with your lab or discussion section TA -- see if he or she can help explain things for you. You can also get free chemistry tutoring at the Learning Center in 212 Chem Annex. It's open Monday through Friday during regular business hours.
Where can I get help with writing?
The Writer's Workshop offers writing help at four sites:
- 251 Undergrad Library (9-8 M-Th, 9-3 F, 1-5 Su) -- call 333-8796 for appointment
- 14 Weston Hall (5-8 pm M-Th) -- call 333-8796 for appointment
- 435 Grainger Library -- call 333-8796 for schedule or appointment
- 425 Natural History Building -- call 333-8796 for schedule or appointment
Taking A Course Credit/No-Credit
What courses can I take Credit/No-Credit?
You may only take open elective courses for Credit/No-Credit (CR/NC). You must take all required courses in your program -- any course specified by name, course number, department, college, or area -- for a grade.
If you are on academic probation, you may not use the CR/NC option.
How do I take a course Credit/No-Credit?
First, talk with your academic advisor to be sure you can take the course CR/NC. If your advisor says it's OK, then pick up and complete a CR/NC Option form from 104 Mumford Hall or download a PDF version here. You must submit the completed form with your advisor's signature before the end of the eighth week of classes (see the Class Schedule for the date). College office personnel will make the change for you. Your instructor won't be notified of your choice and will award you a grade for the course as though you were taking the course for a grade. You must earn a grade of C- or better to receive credit for the course. The course will be counted in your total credit hours, but not in your grade-point average.
How many courses can I take Credit/No-Credit?
You may take as many as two courses per semester (one course per summer session) using the CR/NC grading option. You can apply up to 18 hours of CR/NC grading toward the 126 you need for graduation.
Is CR/NC a good way to avoid getting a bad grade in a course?
Not really. If you elect the CR/NC option, you'll need at least a C- to get credit for the course. If you think you're likely to get a grade lower than C, electing CR/NC will actually get you a less satisfactory result than taking the course for a letter grade.
Graduation Requirements
What do I need to do to graduate?
To receive a degree in any of the HCD undergraduate programs, you must:
- Complete at least 126 hours of eligible course work.
- Complete all courses prescribed in your program.
- Have at least a 2.0 average (2.5 for teacher certification) for all course work, including work transferred from other institutions.
- Meet the UIUC residence requirement -- if you entered the university in Fall 2006 or later, you'll need 60 hours of credit at UIUC and 21 hours of credit in courses numbered 300 or higher; if you entered before then, you must complete either your first 90 semester hours or last 30 semester hours in UIUC courses, uninterrupted by course work at any other institution.
- Meet the College of ACES residence requirement -- completion of at least 30 semester hours while registered in an ACES major.
| Back to Q & A List |
How can I track my progress toward my degree?
How can I get a degree audit or progress report?
You can track your progress toward your degree in several ways. Your ACES Student Handbook includes a checksheet you can use to mark off the requirements you've met and see which still need to be met; you can also find checksheets for AECE and HDFS degree options on the "Programs of Study" portion of this website. Alternatively, you can consult your academic advisor for help in determining the graduation requirements you still need to meet.
You also can find your current progress report (often referred to as a degree audit or DARS audit) by following instructions at the DARS audit link www.oar.uiuc.edu/current/dars/index.html. This audit is updated daily, so it includes all information as of the day before. Your progress report offers a detailed breakdown of which graduation requirements you've met and which courses you took to meet them. It also shows which graduation requirements you still need to meet and, where appropriate, which courses you must take to meet them. Your audit will show how any courses you took at another institution were counted toward your UIUC graduation requirements, as well as how you stand with respect to the residence requirement, the hours of credit earned in College of ACES and major courses, and the total hours of credit required for graduation.
What should I do if I think there's a mistake in my degree audit?
First, remember that your web audit is only updated each day, and any changes in your registration or awarding of transfer course credit occurring since the day before won't show up on the audit. Your audit also will not show credit earned at other institutions or while studying abroad if that information hasn't yet been posted to your UIUC academic record. Also look carefully at the audit to make sure a course you think should count toward a graduation requirement isn't being counted toward some other requirement. Finally, make sure any missing credits you're looking for don't exceed limits on independent study, CR/NC, or other hours that you're allowed to count toward the total needed for graduation.
If you still think there's an error, or if you want to change which requirement a course counts toward, take a print-out of your audit to the College of ACES office in 104 Mumford Hall and explain your concern to one of the records officers there. The records officer will explain your audit for you, and if they agree there is an error they'll see that it gets corrected.
If you're not sure whether there's an error in your audit, or if you want help interpreting it, contact your academic advisor. You can also get help with your audit by contacting Gerry Walter, the HCD advising coordinator, at 333-9429 or gwalter@uiuc.edu.
How many hours of internships or independent study can I take?
You may take as many hours as you like in independent study and related courses (including AGCM 190, 199, 295, and 396; AGED 199, 295, and 396; HDFS 199, 294, 295, and 396; as well as similar courses in other departments). However, you can count only 12 hours in such courses toward the 126 hours needed for graduation. So if you complete, say, 4 hours in HDFS 294 as a research assistant, 6 hours in HDFS 296, and 4 hours in AGCM 295, only 12 of the hours will count toward graduation. All 14 hours completed will be counted in determining your full-time status and your grade-point average, however.
Note that hours earned in internship courses -- AGCM 293 or 294; AGED 293; and HDFS 450, as well as similar courses in other departments -- do not count against the 12-hour limit. Similarly, experimental courses taught via "traditional instruction" -- that is, 199 courses that use regular lecture and discussion -- are not counted against the 12-hour limit. However, the College of ACES limits to 12 the number of hours in 199 courses that you may count toward graduation. And if you're an HDFS major, you may only count 4 hours in HDFS 450 toward the 126 required for graduation.
What's the "residence requirement" for graduation?
If you entered the university in Fall 2006 or later, you must earn at least 60 hours of UIUC credit, including at least 21 hours of credit in 300-level or 400-level UIUC courses. You also must be enrolled full-time in an ACES major for at least two semesters prior to graduation.
If you entered the university prior to Fall 2006, you must spend either your first six semesters (earning at least 90 hours of credit) or your last two semesters (earning at least 30 hours of credit) taking courses at UIUC without interrruption by courses at other institutions. Most students satisfy the latter option by making sure they complete their last 30 hours for their degree at UIUC.
Transfer students from other institutions who entered UIUC prior to Fall 2006 must earn at least 60 hours at UIUC or another four-year institution, in addition to earning their last 30 hours at UIUC.
What interrupts residence? Taking a course at a community college or other university. So, for example, if you take a community college course during the summer after your junior year, you must be sure to complete at least 30 hours in your last two semesters at UIUC.
What doesn't interrupt residence? Study Abroad (if you register for it through UIUC). Correspondence courses (GIS) offered by UIUC. Courses taken at another institution (such as Parkland College) while you're concurrently enrolled and taking courses at UIUC.
What if a course I need for graduation isn't offered before I graduate?
Plan your program so you'll be able to complete all your required course work in the time available before you expect to graduate. Work with your academic advisor to build a plan that takes into account that some required courses are offered only in fall or only in spring. A careful plan is the best insurance against finding yourself in a situation where you're unable to meet all your graduation requirements on time.
If you follow the plan you worked out with your advisor and you later discover that a course you'd counted on taking during your senior year isn't going to be offered, contact your advisor to find a substitute course or other plan of action. Once you've found a substitute course, obtain a Petition for Substitution of a Required Course from the college office in 104 Mumford Hall or download a PDF version here. Complete the petition and gather documentation to support the substitution, such as the syllabus from the substitute course and a statement approving the substitution from the instructor of the required course. Then take the petition to your advisor, who will complete a portion of it, and to the HCD advising coordinator. The dean's office will contact you with a decision about the substitution within two weeks of receiving your petition.
Asking to substitute for a required course is equivalent to asking to change your "contract" with the university to complete a prescribed course of study in exchange for your degree. Consequently, substitutions are only approved under extraordinary circumstances, and only after all other avenues have been exhausted.
Strong arguments for a substitution include:
- The required course is no longer offered, and the substitute covers similar subject matter or skills.
- The required course can't be scheduled without conflicting with another required course, and the substitute course covers similar subject matter or skills. (This argument is usually only valid for transfer students nearing graduation.)
- You completed another course that precludes receiving credit for the required course. (This argument is generally only valid for transfer students.)
- You're near graduation and were forced by extraordinary circumstances to withdraw from the required course, and the course is not offered during your final semester or year.
The following are weak arguments for substitution and probably will not be honored:
- You're near graduation and the required course is not regularly offered during your final semester or year. (You should have planned ahead!)
- You're failing or doing poorly in the required course.
- The substitute course doesn't cover subject matter or skills similar to those in the required course.
- Another student successfully petitioned to make the requested substitution last year.
Obviously, planning ahead is the key basis for making an exception. If you've worked with your academic advisor throughout your undergraduate years to craft a plan of study, your petition for substitution is more likely to be approved. Likewise, a request for a substitution made before you take the substitute course is more likely to be approved than one you make after the fact.
How do I get proficiency credit for a course?
You can earn credit in many introductory courses (and some more advanced courses) by getting a high enough score on a proficiency examination. Check with the department offering the course you want to earn credit for to learn about exam schedules and other requirements.
What's the foreign (non-primary) language requirement for College of ACES students?
To earn a degree in a College of ACES major, students must complete either:
- Three or more years of the same foreign language (a language other than their primary language) in high school or
- A third-semester UIUC non-primary language course (or its equivalent at another institution)
So if you completed at least three years of a language in high school, you don't need to take any more language courses to meet this graduation requirement. But if you completed only two years of any language in high school, you'll need to complete a third-semester course here at UI or an equivalent course at a community college. If you took a language placement test before coming to UI, those results will determine which language course you should take first. In many cases, you'll need to start with the second-semester UI course before you can enroll in the third-semester course you must complete before you'll be able to graduate. If you can't remember what UI language course you placed in, contact your academic advisor or the ACES Academic Programs office in 104 Mumford Hall (333-3380).
Be aware that if you met your non-primary language requirement by completing three or more years of the same language in high school, you cannot earn credit for first- or second-semester courses in that language. For example, if you took three years of Spanish in high school, you cannot earn any graduation credit for SPAN 122, a second-semester course. You can, however, earn credit for SPAN 103 or any higher level course.
If you want to take courses in a different language from the one for which you took the placement exam, or if it's been more than a year since you took a UI language placement exam, it's a good idea to take (or re-take) the exam to get a reliable guide to which course you should start in. Contact the department offering courses in the language you want -- your academic advisor can help you identify the correct department -- and ask to take the placement test. Many times, you can take the test within a day or two of the time you call. When you've completed the placement exam, you can use those results to see where you should start your language sequence. Under no circumstances should you register for any but a first-semester course in a foreign language without first taking a placement exam in that language.
Transferring Work from Other Institutions
What courses can I transfer from other institutions?
You can get UIUC transfer credit for any course that has been approved for transfer by the UIUC Office of Admissions and Records. That office, together with the university's colleges and departments, regularly evaluates courses offered at Illinois community colleges, as well as any work from other institutions submitted by students wishing to transfer to UIUC.
Determining how transfer credits are applied to satisfy your graduation requirements can be complicated. Some credits may transfer as specific UIUC courses, and therefore satisfy specific degree requirements. Others may transfer only as hours of credit in a general area, and therefore as open electives only. Work with your academic advisor to determine how your transfer credits can be applied in your program.
How can I tell what course at a community college is the equivalent of a course at Illinois?
You can see how courses at community colleges and four-year institutions in Illinois (and in some other states) transfer to UIUC using the Course Applicability System at transfer.org. Click on Illinois on the map, then on "new account" or "guest login," and follow instructions. Once you've reached the Member's Area, click on the link to the left that says "Course Equivalency Guides." Select UIUC as the institution you're transferring to, then select the state and name of the institution you're looking to transfer courses from. Select the the course rubric of the course you want to transfer -- the system will show all courses with that rubric and their UIUC equivalents, if any. The transfer institution's course number will be on the left and the UIUC number will be on the right. Pay close attention to these equivalencies: If there are multiple courses on the left side, this means you must take all the courses shown to get transfer credit for any course (or courses) shown on the right; taking anything less than all the courses shown on the left will likely earn no credit at all at UI. If the UIUC number isn't specific -- for example, if it reads HDFS 1--, then the transfer course will earn UIUC credit but won't count as any specific UIUC course.
How do I get my work at another institution transferred to UIUC?
When you've completed the course at the other institution, ask them to send your transcript to the UIUC Office of Admissions and Records for evaluation. Don't deliver the transcript yourself -- Admissions and Records will not accept transcripts directly from students.
Evaluation can take from three to twelve weeks; your academic advisor will be notified of how your transfer work was evaluated. Any transfer credits accepted will appear on your academic record.
Can I enroll at another institution while I'm taking courses at UIUC?
Yes, but you need permission. If, for example, you want to take a course at Parkland College during a fall semester when you're also taking courses at UIUC, obtain a Concurrent Registration form from the college office in 104 Mumford Hall. Have it signed by an authorized person there, then take it to Parkland (or the community college you'll be attending) to complete the registration process.
Off-Campus Transfer Students
What are the requirements for applying to transfer in HDFS or AECE?
For both HDFS or AECE, you must have completed:
- A minimum of 60 hours of transferrable credit.
- The equivalent of RHET 105.
- The equivalent of MATH 124, Finite Mathematics; MATH 234, Calculus for Business I; or MATH 220, Calculus I.
- A second-level course in a foreign language.
For HDFS, you must also have completed:
- The equivalent of PSYC 100, Intro Psych.
For AECE (except ACES Communications), you must also have completed:
- The equivalent of CHEM 102, General Chemistry, and CHEM 103, General Chemistry Lab.
| Back to Q & A List |
How can I tell what course at a community college is the equivalent of a course at Illinois?
You can see how courses at community colleges and four-year institutions in Illinois (and in some other states) transfer to UIUC using the Course Applicability System at transfer.org. Click on Illinois on the map, then on "new account" or "guest login," and follow instructions. Once you've reached the Member's Area, click on the link to the left that says "Course Equivalency Guides." Select UIUC as the institution you're transferring to, then select the state and name of the institution you're looking to transfer courses from. Select the the course rubric of the course you want to transfer -- the system will show all courses with that rubric and their UIUC equivalents, if any. The transfer institution's course number will be on the left and the UIUC number will be on the right. Pay close attention to these equivalencies: If there are multiple courses on the left side, this means you must take all the courses shown to get transfer credit for any course (or courses) shown on the right; taking anything less than all the courses shown on the left will likely earn no credit at all at UI. If the UIUC number isn't specific -- for example, if it reads HDFS 1--, then the transfer course will earn UIUC credit but won't count as any specific UIUC course.
How do I get my hours transferred to UIUC?
Ask your current institution to forward your transcripts to the UIUC Office of Admissions and Records. Don't deliver the transcripts yourself -- Admissions and Records won't accept transcripts directly from students.
What's my residence requirement at UIUC? You must:
- Complete at least 60 hours at UIUC, AND
- Complete at least 21 hours of credit in 300-level or 400-level UIUC courses.
Internships
Can I earn academic credit for an internship?
Yes, as long as the activity you're involved in qualifies as an internship and has been approved in advance by your academic advisor and the appropriate departmental internship coordinator. Students in the AECE major can earn credit for qualified internships via AGCM 293 (Communications Internship), AGCM 294 (Research Internship), and AGED 293 (Ag Leadership Internship). Students in HDFS currently may earn internship credit only via HDFS 450 (Practicum HDFS).
The amount of credit you may earn in an HCD internship will depend on the amount of time you spend in internship activities and the kind of activities you're involved in. You'll establish the amount of credit you'll earn in consultation with the HCD faculty member who supervises your work. In general, AGCM 293, AGCM 294, and AGED 293 internships will earn one hour of credit for each 50 hours at the internship site, to a maximum of 4 hours per internship. AECE students may earn credit in multiple internships, to a maximum of 10 total hours.
What kind of activities qualify for a for-credit internship?
Credit-eligible internship activities for AECE majors vary widely. But in general, the majority of the activities you'll be involved in at the internship site must: 1) require or help you build skills you'll need as a professional in your field and 2) be closely supervised by a professional at the internship site. As you arrange your internship with your faculty supervisor and the person who'll supervise you at the internship site, you'll work out a relatively clear picture of what your responsibilities and learning objectives will be.
Credit-eligible internship activities related to HDFS currently are limited to those incorporated in HDFS 450 (Practicum in HDFS).
Who is eligible to complete an internship?
To qualify for academic credit for your internship, AECE students must have completed at least 30 hours of other course work (sophomore standing) and must be in good academic standing (clear of academic probation) at the time they arrange the internship. HDFS students must have completed at least 60 hours of other course work (junior standing) and must be in good academic standing; they also must complete the planning and preparation process that begins in the fall semester preceding their enrollment in HDFS 450.
How do I arrange an internship?
If you're thinking of doing an AGCM or AGED internship, begin by contacting your academic advisor or an AECE faculty member before you start the internship experience. Complete the pre-internship approval form, which gives a brief description of your internship and your learning objectives, and get signatures from your academic advisor and the appropriate departmental internship coordinator. Then work with your faculty supervisor and on-site supervisor to complete the internship agreement form, which more clearly describes what you'll be doing in your internship and what materials you'll produce for your faculty supervisor at the end of the experience to demonstrate what you've learned.
If you're interested in HDFS 450, look for announcements of the fall organizing meeting early in the fall semester. Make sure you go to the meeting; if you're unable to attend, contact the HDFS 450 internship coordinator early in the fall semester to make sure you're included in the planning process.
Who are the departmental internship coordinators?
For AGCM 293/294: Bob Siebrecht, 147 Bevier Hall, 333-4786, siebrech@uiuc.edu
For AGED 293: Marianne Lorensen, 222 Bevier Hall, 244-3941, lorensen@uiuc.edu
For HDFS 450: Dr. Sharon Monday Dorsey, 333-0628, smondor@uiuc.edu
What if I've found a promising activity to get involved in but I've already earned the maximum internship hours or the activity doesn't qualify for internship credit?
Go ahead and investigate the activity further. The experience you'll gain and contacts you'll make will be valuable even if you don't earn academic credit. Don't pass up a good thing just because it won't appear on your academic transcript - you'll still be able to include the experience on your resume.
Study Abroad
What kind of planning should I do for Study Abroad?
Most students find a study abroad experience fits best during their junior year, and that planning needs to begin about a year in advance of their trip abroad. So if you're thinking of being gone during the fall semester of your junior year, you'll want to begin identifying where you'll go early in your sophomore year so that you'll have time during the spring semester to select and pre-approve the courses you'll take. If you'll be overseas during the spring semester of junior year, you probably can start a little later in your planning, but you'll still want to have a good idea of where you'll go by the end of your sophomore year.
Most important: If you think you might want to pursue a study abroad experience, let your academic advisor know! That way, he or she will be able to help you plan your course work so that your time overseas won't disrupt your regular progress toward your degree. You can also work with your advisor as you identify which courses you might take overseas.
Will study abroad courses meet any of my graduation requirements?
Study abroad programs offer many kinds of courses; what you'll find in any given program will depend on the course offerings at the place you'll be studying. Most of the programs offered through the College of ACES offer courses in agricultural topics, and a few have courses in areas related to HDFS. Any courses you complete that are ultimately approved for transfer to UIUC will count toward the credit hours required for graduation. Working with your academic advisor, ACES Academic Programs staff, and study abroad advisors in other departments, you may be able to arrange to have some or all the courses you complete overseas count toward general education and other graduation requirements as well.
In general, the kinds of overseas courses you'll find most abundant and appealing will be on such topics as local literature, history, and culture. These kinds of courses often will transfer to UI to meet general education Humanities requirements. So as you're planning your course work in the years leading up to your study abroad experience you might want to save completion of your Humanities requirement for the semester you're overseas. The likelihood of meeting other general education requirements or major course requirements will be much smaller, so you won't want to plan to complete those kinds of required courses during your semester abroad.
Will study abroad mean I'll need to delay my expected graduation date?
Most students who spend a single semester in a study abroad experience are still able to finish their degree programs within four years after they entered UI. Students who spend a year in an overseas program usually need no more than an extra semester at UI to complete their degree requirements. In either case, careful planning is crucial to make sure you don't interrupt course sequences or miss out on required courses offered only in the semester you're in study abroad. So even first-semester students considering study abroad need to work carefully with their academic advisors to plan their course work.
To see how HCD students can plan courses to include a semester abroad and still graduate in four years, click one of the following links: HDFS Child & Adolescent Dev, HDFS Family Studies, AECE ACES Com advertising, AECE ACES Com broadcasting, AECE ACES Com news-editorial, or AECE Ag Leadership.
Do I need to speak a foreign language fluently to participate in study abroad?
It's your choice. Courses in many study abroad programs are taught in English, those in some others are taught in the local language. So don't let lack of foreign language skills keep you from exploring overseas study.
Does a semester of study abroad cost more than a semester on campus?
Costs for study abroad programs vary. But in many cases your costs for tuition and fees will be no more than at UI, and your room and board costs may in fact be less. Transportation to your study abroad site is a significant cost. But virtually all your financial aid can be applied to approved study abroad programs. And there are frequently scholarships available to help defray some remaining costs. Check with the College of ACES and UI Study Abroad offices for more information about financial aid for study abroad.
Where can I learn more about Study Abroad opportunities?
To learn about study abroad opportunities offered through the College of ACES, call 333-3380.
To learn about the full range of Study Abroad opportunities available to UI students, call or visit the UI Study Abroad Office, 115 International Studies Building, 901 S. Fifth Street, 333-6322. SAO has a resource room where you can look up information about available programs, advisors who can help you as you make your plans, and general information meetings highlighting programs in different areas. They also hold "First Steps" meetings for students interested in starting to plan for a study abroad experience -- see their website at www.studyabroad.uiuc.edu for schedule information.