Service-Learning Internships
APPLES internships are unique, intense experiences in service for either the spring semester or summer. Students intern at a variety of nonprofit and governmental agencies, receive funding ($2,250 for spring and $4,800 for summer) and are enrolled in a service-learning course (a three-credit hour course through the School of Social Work in the spring, and a one-credit hour online course through the Summer School in the summer).
APPLES interns are considered staff in their organizations and have a great deal of responsibility as well as professional growth opportunities. Interns also receive individualized academic instruction from a faculty member and hands-on experience that will help them grow as community leaders.
The intern’s stipend is typically shared by community partners and APPLES, each paying for half. APPLES is grateful to donors like Jesse White, Ph.D., whose generosity offsets the costs of several of our internships.
To learn when internship applications open, please join our student listserv!
Internships
Selected UNC students serve as full-time (35-40 hours per week), paid interns in service organizations throughout North Carolina for eight to 10 weeks during the summer (320 hours total), earning $4,800 and one academic credit through the School of Social Work and Carolina Courses Online.
To learn more about what APPLES summer internships are like, watch this video or read this spotlight about internships during summer 2021.
Spring Internships
Qualified students are matched with nonprofit and government organizations for a semester-long spring internship. Interns work 12-15 hours per week for approximately 15 weeks (150 total hours) earning $2,250 in funding plus three hours of academic credit through a course in the School of Social Work taken in conjunction with the internship. Spring Internship applications are currently CLOSED! You can apply for the spring cycle by visiting the CCPS Portal.
Academic Credit
All APPLES spring interns are enrolled in a three-hour seminar, SOWO 492 during spring semester. The course covers material on characteristics of nonprofits, including organization structure, funding, volunteer management and leadership. The course follows a discussion/seminar format and compliments the fieldwork through focused readings, discussions, reflective writing and various classroom activities. All APPLES spring interns are required to enroll in this course. The course day and time for spring 2024 was T/Th from 9:30-10:45 a.m. You must be able to take this class to participate in an internship. Students will be enrolled once their internship hiring is confirmed.
Finances
All interns will receive $2,250 in funding through a collaborative effort between APPLES and the internship site. This stipend is taxable and must be claimed if you exceed state or federal income requirements.
Community partners and APPLES agree to share in the cost of the intern, with each organization paying $825. The community partner receives the APPLES portion of the funds and arranges for the student intern to be paid by the organization.
Application Process
To learn when internships open, please join our listserv!
Are you studying abroad but still want to apply for an internship?
No problem. You may still apply as long as you are easily accessible via email and can establish access to a reliable telephone number. APPLES will use this information to set up a phone interview on a date and time to be decided later.
Things to consider
When filling out your application, you may preference up to three positions and you will provide qualifications for each position. Please limit copying and pasting your answers and provide separate responses for each preference. You will also provide an explanation of a social issue that interests you; please consider connecting the social issue to the positions you preference.
Summer Internships
Academic Credit
Interns earn one hour of academic credit for the summer internship. Selected interns will enroll in SOWO 492, offered by the Summer School. The course covers material on characteristics of nonprofits, including organization structure, funding, volunteer management and leadership. The class follows a discussion/seminar format and compliments the fieldwork through focused readings, discussion boards and reflective writing.
Finances
All interns will receive $4,800 in funding through a collaborative effort between the APPLES program and the internship site. Stipends are intended to defray the cost of living, transportation and course fees. Community partners and APPLES agree to share in the cost of the intern, with each organization paying $2,000. The community partner receives the APPLES portion of the funds and arranges for the student intern to be paid by the organization.
A selection of internships with local elected officials are supported by the generous donation of Dr. Jesse L. White. Here’s just one example!
Partial, need-based financial assistance will be available to those who qualify. Students may apply for financial assistance after they have been selected as an intern.
Housing and Travel
Students are responsible for summer housing and travel arrangements.
Application Process
Summer Internship applications will open next month.