<aside> ⭐ This case study focuses on academic credit for AmeriCorps service.

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Communities in Schools of San Antonio logo

About Communities In Schools of San Antonio (CIS-SA)

The mission of CIS-SA is “to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. Based directly inside schools throughout Bexar County and surrounding areas, Communities In Schools of San Antonio connects children and their families to basic and critical educational and community-based resources tailored to each student’s specific needs.”

Higher Ed Partners

• Alamo Colleges

• Angelo State University

• Baptist University of the Americas

• Baylor University

• Brescia University

• California Southern University

• Capella University

• Grand Canyon University

• Indiana University-Bloomington

• National University

• Our Lady of the Lake University

• Sacred Heart University

• Simmons College of Kentucky

• St. Mary's University

• Texas A&M University — San Antonio

• Texas Lutheran University

• Texas State University-San Marcos

• The University of Texas at Arlington

• The University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley

• The University of Texas at San Antonio

• Trinity University

• University of Denver

• University of Houston

• University of Southern California

• University of the Incarnate Word

• Webster University

• Walden University

• Widener University

Partnership Description

CIS-SA has served as an internship site for students from local colleges and universities for many years. CIS-SA created an AmeriCorps program that bolstered the existing internship program and increased the number of student interns from 10 to 60 per year. The students completing internships at CIS-SA are enrolled in a variety of academic programs: bachelor’s programs in psychology, sociology, and criminal justice; master’s programs in social work and counseling; and associate’s programs in social work and psychology. Students in each of these programs must complete internships as part of their academic requirements and receive academic credit for their internship work. Now that the internships are AmeriCorps positions, the students also receive a living stipend and education award for their service at CIS-SA.

In order to meet the hours requirements for different internship programs, CIS-SA created Reduced Half-Time (675), Quarter-Time (450), Minimal Time (300), and Abbreviated Time (100) positions. Typically, undergraduate students need fewer internship hours (100-300) than master’s students (450-675). Master’s students may also require supervision by licensed professionals in their field (counseling or social work). Because colleges and universities have different start dates for their interns, CIS-SA offers a rolling onboarding process, welcoming new members at various times throughout the year.

Through their internship program, CIS-SA has developed a strong student-to-staff pipeline. Many students who begin as interns end up working at the organization after they graduate from their academic programs. As staff members, they play a crucial role in recruiting new interns from the higher education institutions they attended.

Lessons Learned

• Start by learning about existing internship programs at local higher ed institutions. Find out about internship hours requirements, schedule, etc., and consider whether your existing or new AmeriCorps program could be a good fit.
• Avoid “cold calling.” Try to build personal connections with people at the institution instead. Departmental “field liaisons” are often a good place to start.
• Think about using internships to develop a “student-to-staff pipeline” at your organization. How can you train and prepare interns for future full-time roles?
• Offer ongoing onboarding opportunities to accommodate interns who start at different times. Every institution is different!
• Many institutions and departments have lists of “approved internships.” Make sure your site is on the list and consider using campus job boards like Handshake to advertise positions.

For More Information

• CIS-SA Website