Resources for Students

Safe and positive learning experiences

ICCE is here to help you have successful service experiences as early as your first semester at SFSU. Our programs provide dynamic and powerful experiences that will help you understand how to align civic and community engagement with your own passions and skills for now and in the future. ICCE specifically supports community engagement courses.

There is no better time than your college years to explore the wide range of professional and community experiences available to you. By completing an experiential experience in a business, government or nonprofit organization, you gain working skills, build a network of professional contacts and apply classroom theories in a real-world setting.

Community-based and applied learning at SFSU

There are a variety of courses at the university that connect students with applied, real-world learning experiences. These courses may use different descriptive words like: applied, capstone, community engagement, fieldwork, internship, practicum, service-learning.

In general, this means that students are engaged in off-campus learning ("community-based") activities as part of course learning.

Several SFSU courses incorporate community engaged learning as a component of their curriculum and are included in course objectives. This may be a requirement or offered as an extra credit option.

Find the complete list of courses that are CSL designated in the Bulletin
Only service hours from these courses will be shown on the official transcript
Please note that not all courses are offered every semester and it is at the discretion of the course instructor to offer the CSL option

Academic internships

A for-credit, academic internship is an approved and supervised work experience that meets specific student learning goals related to an academic field of study. Students receiving academic credit for internships enroll in a course that grounds experiential learning.

Internships for academic credit are an effective way for you to gain work experience in your field of study before graduation. Having an internship is like creating a road map for career success. Studies show that 7 out of 10 internships may turn into full-time jobs.

International students

International students with F-1 visa status must be authorized by the Division of International Education (DoIE) and be approved for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) in order to participate in an academic internship. Other non-immigrant visa holders (i.e. H-4, J-2, etc.) must adhere to their visa regulations.

Students: Community Placement Information

What is community engagement?

Community engagement is when the university works collaboratively with community-based organizations* to address issues important to the well-being and lives of community members; the outcomes of which benefit the common good.** Through community engagement, university and community-based organizations exchange and share resources and work together to advocate for positive systemic change.

*Community-Based Organization - Public or private organizations that represent a community or members of a community, providing related services to individuals in the community. CBOs may work at local, regional, national, or global levels to meet the needs of communities as defined by location, identity, need, or interest. They include schools, social service agencies, nonprofit organizations, government organizations, and private entities that work in this capacity.

**The term "common good" refers to the material, cultural or institutional interests and goals that members of society have in common that embody sustained mutual respect, e.g. arts, civic engagement, community health/well-being, economic development, education, equity, sustainability. (Adapted from Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.)

Why is community engagement a part of a college education?

Community Engagement is an important part of the mission of the California State University system. Rooted in our communities, each CSU campus collaborates regionally to contribute to community growth and enhance student learning. SF State values community engagement as a way to 1) foster a vibrant, innovative learning environment that promotes academic, professional, and personal development, and 2) contribute to the health and strength of our communities—economically, socially, environmentally, educationally, and politically. Within the classroom, community engagement has four purposes.

For students to:

apply learning in a real-world environment;
deepen their connection to course learning and career goals;
prepare to be engaged citizens and socially responsible contributors to society;
realize that knowledge is a living force, meant to be used, that changes and grows once applied.

Forms of Community Engagement

Community engagement can take different forms, which impact how people work together, and the collaboration of university and community members.

Volunteering and Community Service

Student participation in events and activities that focus on the service and its benefit to the community. Students learn about community issues and how their service makes a difference in the world. These are mostly co-curricular in nature, organized through student clubs and university departments. Many students come to the university primarily having experienced community engagement by volunteering and community service through home life and extra-curricular activities.

Community-Engaged Courses

There are a variety of courses at the university that connect students with applied, real-world learning experiences. The university and community–based organizations collaborate to identify activities that are appropriate for students, relevant to student learning, and beneficial for the community. Please see the tab “Understanding Community-Engaged Courses” for more information.

Public Scholarship/The Scholarship of Engagement

Students may also have the opportunity to participate in research projects related to community engagement. The scholarship of engagement connects faculty and student research to understanding and solving social, civic, or ethical problems. This knowledge is developed and shared with the community, through mutually respectful and beneficial partnerships.

Understanding Community Engagement Courses

There are a variety of courses at the university that connect students with applied, real-world learning experiences. These courses may use different descriptive words like: applied, capstone, community engagement, fieldwork, internship, practicum, service-learning. In general, this means that students are engaged in off-campus learning ("community-based") activities as part of course learning.

The expectations and requirements for these courses and assignments differ depending on the type of course and the department, including:

the learning outcomes or purpose of the assignment;
hours requirements;
how students find an external organization;
the process for “placing” with the organization or confirming the community-based learning experience;
how much of the course grade is based on the community-based assignment.

Students should always check with their instructor to ensure they know course expectations and requirements. ICCE specifically supports community engagement courses.

Community Engagement is a special type of "community-based" or off-campus learning. We identify community engagement courses by the student learning experience and community impact, not by course title or label.

These courses include a variety of community-based activities* that enhance student learning, benefit the common good**, and take place in collaboration with community partner organizations. Courses vary in how much the community-based assignment is integrated into the course.

Service-Learning Courses

Service-learning is a distinct type of community engagement. It is characterized by critical reflection and a collaborative partnership among the instructor, students, and community, with a focus on both student learning and community impact. An academic course (in any discipline) that provides students opportunities to participate in organized service activities that meet community needs while linking the community service experiences to the course content. This makes service learning a very different experience than community service. Course learning focuses equally on the community impact, collaboration with the partner organizations, and student learning specifically related to civic learning, equity, social justice, or responsibility.

*Community-Based Activities - Assignments at/with/for an external organization and connected to course learning or major/department learning outcomes

**Common Good - The material, cultural or institutional interests that members of society have in
common, e.g. arts, civic engagement, community health/well-being, economic development, education, equity, sustainability.

Again, these courses use different descriptive words like: applied, capstone, community engagement, fieldwork, internship, practicum, service-learning. Based on the student learning experience and the collaboration with the community, the courses below may be Community Engaged Learning or Service Learning.

Academic Internships

Internships are formal work opportunities that integrate an academic program with career aspirations. We consider internships “community engagement” when, through an internship course led by a faculty member, a student’s academic program and professional work experience intersect with the common good, and students reflect on this intersection through course assignments.

Capstone

A capstone course requires the successful completion of a thesis, project, or comprehensive examination. The quality of the student’s work is the major consideration in judging the success of this degree component. We consider capstone courses “community engagement” when a student’s capstone experience includes community-based learning and intersects with the common good.

Field/Fieldwork

“Field or fieldwork” courses provide students with community-based learning opportunities that are central to their major/degree academic work and are organized around enhancing the student's understanding of their field of study and having students demonstrate skills related to their future profession. While students usually have a site supervisor identified at the community-based organization, they are also expected to be able to work independently. Students generally take fieldwork courses towards the end of their degree of study, or as part of a graduate program. We consider field courses “community engagement” when a student’s academic program and professional work experience intersect with the common good.

Practicum

Practicum courses provide students with community-based learning opportunities that are central to their major/degree academic work and are organized around enhancing the student's understanding of their field of study and having students demonstrate skills related to their future profession. While students usually have a site supervisor identified at the community-based organization, they are also expected to be able to work independently. Students generally take practicum courses towards the end of their degree of study, or as part of a graduate program. We consider practicum courses “community engagement” when a student’s academic program and professional work experience intersect with the common good.

Required Forms

Once you picked the Organization where you will be doing your internship/service-learning opportunity and confirmed placement, now go to the next step - review and complete the required forms before you begin at your placement site. There are different processes for organizations that are already listed in ULink (Roadmap 1) and organizations that are not currently listed in ULink (Roadmap 2):

Roadmap 1: Placement with Orgs. Listed in ULink

Request ICCE to send the Student Informed Consent packet through your ULink account.
ICCE will then send you the Student Informed Consent packet, via Adobe Sign.
Refer to ULink & Site Placement Student Guide for more details (including information about Adobe Sign).

Roadmap 2: Temporary Placement with a Site That Is Not Yet an SF State Partner

Roadmap 2 is a temporary placement pathway for students who have confirmed an academic internship or service-learning opportunity with an organization that does not yet have an active Learning Placement Site Agreement (LPSA) with SF State. It allows the student to begin the placement after completing the required Student Informed Consent and Acknowledgment of No LPSA forms, while ICCE gives the organization time to complete the partnership process.

Log in to your ULink account and place a "Request Placement with Non-Contracted Site";
ICCE will then send you the Student Informed Consent & Acknowledgment of No LPSA packet, via Adobe Sign.
Refer to ULink & Site Placement Student Guide for more details (including information about Adobe Sign).

Please note: Roadmap 2 does not establish the organization as an approved SF State community partner or replace the LPSA. To continue hosting SF State students, the organization must complete ICCE’s Learning Site Assessment and execute the appropriate partnership agreement. Students should direct their site to ICCE’s partnership webpage so the organization can begin the process required to continue hosting SF State students.

Are you in a community engagement or service learning course?

Several SFSU courses incorporate community engaged learning as a component of their curriculum and are included in course objectives. This may be a requirement or offered as an extra credit option.

Master list of all courses designated as community service learning (CSL)

This complete list of courses that are CSL designated as indicated in the SFSU Bulletin. Only service hours from these courses will be shown on the official transcript. Please note that not all courses are offered every semester and it is at the discretion of the course instructor to offer the CSL option.
Learn more about service learning

Course Sections Offered: Academic Semester

View course sections that instructors have identified as CSL for a given semester.

Student Community-Engaged Learning Impact Survey

ICCE invites students participating in community service learning, community-engaged courses, College Corps, and other community-based programs to reflect on their learning and growth. Your feedback will help SF State strengthen community-engaged learning, understand its effects on students and communities, and support university reporting.

This survey takes approximately 5–7 minutes. It does not collect service hours; continue reporting hours through the process provided by your course or program. Please do not include names or identifying information about community members in your responses.

Reflect on your learning through the Student Community-Engaged Learning Impact Survey

Opportunities for students

Find programs available to students, coordinated by other SFSU University departments, the City and County of San Francisco, congressional offices or external foundations and organizations.

Climate Justice Internship Program

Paid Climate Justice Internship Program through Climate HQ at SFSU.

Selected interns will participate in a semester-long internship where they will be matched with partner organizations committed to climate justice to complete a project that advances that organization’s work and gives interns the opportunity to learn from seasoned organizers, activists, and other professionals.

Applications are due Oct 10, 2025 for internships that will run during Spring 2026.

Eligibility: Undergraduates from any major at SFSU can apply as long as they are full-time in Spring 2026

Panorama Environmental, Inc.

UPDATE: Application closed. For those who applied, the Panorama team is currently reviewing applications. Candidates invited to interview will be contacted directly by Panorama, early December.

Panorama Environmental, Inc., in collaboration with SFSU's Institute for Civic & Community Engagement (ICCE), is offering a paid internship for a Business & Marketing Intern. This role provides hands-on experience in marketing, communications, and business development within an environmental consulting firm.

Willie L. Brown Jr. Fellowship Program

The Willie L. Brown, Jr. Fellowship Program places San Francisco State University students in prestigious internships within various City and County of San Francisco agencies. The fellowship, launched in 2008, provides SFSU students who have faced barriers pursuing a college education with an opportunity to gain professional experience in the public sector while developing a lifelong commitment to public service.

2025 - 2026 Stupski Foundation Internship

Looking for a paid opportunity to gain professional skills while making an impact in the Bay Area and Hawai‘i? The Stupski Foundation Internship is more than just experience on your résumé — it’s a chance to learn, lead, and contribute to bold, community-driven work.

This internship program is for college-age youth and young adults who want to bring their ideas for social change to inform our work in food justice, postsecondary success, health communications and grant-making operations.

Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) Program

The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) offers paid, high-impact internships and fellowships in Washington, D.C. for Latino students and emerging leaders interested in public policy and civic engagement.

Congressional Internship Program (10–12 weeks): Work in a congressional office while receiving housing, travel, metro stipend, insurance, and leadership training.

Public Policy Fellowship (9 months): For recent graduates—placements with federal agencies, nonprofits, and think tanks.

Postgraduate Fellowship (9 months): For Master’s or JD graduates—specialized experience in fields like education, health, or STEM policy.

Senator Alex Padilla Internship Program - Spring 2026

Gain hands-on experience in public service and legislative work through internships with Senator Alex Padilla’s offices in Washington, D.C. and across California.

SF Office of Supervisor Rafael Mandelman

Supervisor Mandelman’s District 8 Internship Program offers students an introduction to the work of a local government office, and a deeper understanding of public policy issues impacting San Francisco. District 8 includes the Castro, Noe Valley, Glen Park, Diamond Heights, Twin Peaks, Cole Valley, and Duboce Triangle. The District has played an important role in San Francisco history as many of the neighborhoods it encompasses were represented by Supervisor Harvey Milk following his election in 1978.

This internship opportunity allows students to participate in the daily operations of the City and County of San Francisco. Throughout the internship, students work closely with Supervisor Mandelman and his legislative staff.

SF Board of Supervisors

The Board of Supervisors is the legislative branch of the City and County of San Francisco. The Board consists of 11 members. Each member is elected on a non-partisan basis from a district where he or she lives

Are you:

Interested in local government and politics?

Looking for an opportunity to gain practical work experience?

Trying to find a way to contribute to your community?

SF Board of Supervisors

Cal State DC Scholars

Want to live, learn, and intern in the nation’s capital? The Cal State DC Scholars program gives all CSU students the chance to spend a semester or summer in Washington, D.C., earning academic credit while gaining real-world experience.

Scholars intern in Congress, federal agencies, nonprofits, think tanks, museums, and media organizations—building professional networks and exploring career paths. Most internships are unpaid, but financial aid and scholarships are available to help cover costs. Tuition is the same as your CSU campus, making this an affordable way to study and work in D.C.

This program is a great fit for any major—whether you’re interested in policy, communications, science, the arts, or public service.

Apply for the Fall Semester!

City & County of SF Career Center

Learn about job opportunities within the City and County of San Francisco and receive guidance to grow your City career. The Center offers Information sessions and workshops and drop-in career counseling hours.

Fine Art Museums of San Francisco

Explore two pathways at the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco:

College Programs — Ideal for students eager to gain hands-on experience while learning: includes paid internships, Interpretation & Outreach Associate roles, and academic group visits.

Emerging Professional Programs — For recent graduates and entry-level professionals: includes paid summer internships, curatorial projects like the McCrindle internship, and part-time visitor experience roles.

San Francisco Fellows Program

The mission of the San Francisco Fellows program is to foster community stewardship.

The Fellows program is a unique opportunity to learn about public administration in local government while working full-time as a City employee. Competitively selected applicants will join a cohort of Fellows for a 12-month full-time work experience as City employees. Fellows will earn a salary (Step 1 for 1801 classification), plus health, dental, retirement, and other benefits.

SFPUC Project Pull Team Leader

Project Pull are for motivated high school and college students from diverse communities in San Francisco. College students can apply to lead teams of high school interns in City departments.

The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) sponsors Project Pull.

SFPUC Graduate Student Internship

As SFPUC public service trainees, graduate interns work on projects pertaining to their field of study while impacting the Agency through research and collaboration across teams and influencing public policy, human resources, natural resources, biology among other areas.

Learn more about SFPUC

SF Public Works

San Francisco Public Works is one of the largest and most complex municipal operations in the City, with a workforce of nearly 1,800 and a $453 million annual operating budget. The department's active capital project portfolio exceeds $3 billion. As one of San Francisco oldest City departments, it is also one of the most forward-thinking.

As a 24/7 operation with a diverse set of responsibilities, Public Works touches every neighborhood in San Francisco. The staff designs and manages construction of civic buildings and streets, cleans and greens the right of way, maintains civic buildings; trains people for jobs, keeps the right of way free of hazards, paves the streets, repairs bridges and public stairways, expands accessibility and works at the forefront addressing some of San Francisco’s biggest challenges, including homelessness.

SF Summer Intern Program

The City and County of San Francisco is seeking student interns interested in various engineering and architecture disciplines, to provide support to in-house Engineering, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Planning, Surveying, GIS, and IT staff. The Summer 2024 Student Intern Program is a collaborative effort comprised of the following city departments seeking to employ interns: San Francisco Public Works, San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA), San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC), Department of Building Inspection (DBI), San Francisco Airport Commission (SFO), Recreation and Park Department (REC), and Department of Technology (DT). Interns will gain on-the-job experience under the guidance of experienced professional engineers, architects, planners, and surveyors. Interns will participate in various activities in the respective City Departments.

Planning & Engineering Internship Program

The SFMTA Planning and Engineering Internship program is aimed at students pursuing degrees and careers related to transportation planning and transportation engineering.

Policy & Programming Internship

City and County of SF Transportation Authority Internship.

GSA Summer Internship Program

The SF General Services Agency (GSA) Internship program is a public service platform designed to partner services and graduates working professionals in a mentor-trainee relationship.

Accounting Internship

City and County of SF internship in public service accounting.

SF City Attorney's Office Internship Program

The San Francisco City Attorney’s Office’s Internship Program offers students an opportunity to work in an award-winning municipal law office that is nationally recognized by the American Bar Association for outstanding excellence. The City Attorney’s Office practices civil law and provides high-quality, consistent, and objective legal advice to policymakers and vigorously represents the City in civil litigation. The Office provides legal services to over 100 departments, boards, commissions and offices that comprise the City and County of San Francisco’s municipal government.

The City Attorney’s Office seeks interns that intend to emerge as leaders in government and public-interest law. The Internship Program is designed to help interns gain practical knowledge and experience in municipal law and government affairs. The Program provides participants with a robust and meaningful work experience by creating opportunities for interns to learn, engage, and participate in the Office’s wide array of legal work.

DPA's Law & Justice Reform Internship Program

Internships at the Department of Police Accountability (DPA) give students the opportunity to learn about police processes and practices, criminal and constitutional law, public safety, employment and administrative law, and how local government functions. Interns also gain insight into the relationship between policy, law and community engagement.

SF District Attorney - Additional Internships

Internships that are beyond legal internships, such as communications and policy, victim services, etc...

Office of Economic and Workforce Development

OEWD strives to create a thriving and resilient economy, where barriers to economic and workforce opportunities are removed, and prosperity is shared equitably by all.

SF Public Defender

Gain a behind-the-scenes look at public defense by interning with the San Francisco Public Defender’s Office. This unpaid internship offers valuable exposure to the criminal justice system, with opportunities to support staff attorneys and learn how a busy public defender’s office operates.

San Francisco International Airport’s Career Pathway Programs

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) offers a range of internships, trainee roles, and fellowships for college students and recent graduates. Opportunities include areas like airport operations, engineering, communications, museum studies, and aviation management. Many positions are paid and provide mentorship, professional development, and hands-on experience at one of the world’s leading airports.

SF Human Rights Commission

The Human Rights Commission works to advance equity, protect human rights, and address discrimination in San Francisco. Its initiatives focus on issues such as racial and social justice, LGBTQ+ rights, immigrant protections, disability access, anti-bullying, and community healing.

The Commission occasionally offers internship opportunities for students interested in public service, policy, and advocacy. Interns may assist with research, outreach, and community projects that support the City’s human rights agenda.

Federal Internships

Federal Internships are available every semester, and currently applications are being accepted for the Summer 2026 and Fall 2026 semesters! You can view or print off this flyer for information on eligibility, housing, pay, and expectations.

Summer 2026 Application Priority Deadline: March 6th

Fall 2026 Application Priority Deadline: July 14th

Corporate Internships

Corporate Internships from HACU's Corporate Partners are on a need-basis, and has a rolling application. Students can sign up to be considered for Corporate internships or for more information on the HACU National Internship Program-Corporate Component.

Summer Internships

Apply Now: Summer Internships @ Brooks Running!

At Brooks Running, we design, engineer, and manufacture performance running gear, building a global brand focused on bringing the transformative power of the run to people all over the world.

Our internships are perfect for people looking to accelerate their careers with hands-on experience in a variety of fields. While you’re a Sprintern, you’ll get one-on-one mentorship, the opportunity to work on critical business needs, and access to best-in-class perks.

Leadership Program

The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities and Thurgood Marshall College Fund have partnered with Capital One to offer the Capital One Launchpad: Legacy & Leadership Program. As part of the program, 50 college students from HACU-Member Institutions will be selected to participate in an extensive and immersive personal, professional, and technical development journey on July 13-17, 2026, at the Capital One Headquarters in McLean, Virginia.