<div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_quote"><div lang="EN-US" link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" style="word-wrap:break-word"><p style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:8.0pt;margin-left:0in"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Dear UCR Colleagues,</span></p><p style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:8.0pt;margin-left:0in;text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Beginning in Fall 2026, all students participating in the University of California Washington Center Program (UCDC) will earn academic credit for their internship through enrollment in UCDC 198I, administered by the Division of Undergraduate Education (DUE).  This update supports more streamlined enrollment management and promotes instructional consistency and equity across participating students. In Spring 2025, the UC Educational Policy process approved <b><i>UCDC 170: Experiential Learning in DC</i></b><i> </i>as a UC systemwide course, establishing common learning outcomes and academic credit standards across all UC campuses. UCR’s UCDC 198I aligns with this framework and follows the UC standard of three internship hours per unit of academic credit. </span></p><p style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:8.0pt;margin-left:0in;text-align:justify"><b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">UCDC 198I Course Requirements & Expectations:</span></b></p><p style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:8.0pt;margin-left:0in;text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">UCDC 198I provides an academically rigorous framework that integrates internship participation with structured reflection and professional development.  Students enrolled in UCDC 198I will:</span></p><ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc"><li style="color:black;margin-top:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0in;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Complete a minimum of 24 internship hours per week over a 10-week quarter (240 internship hours total)</span></li><li style="color:black;margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Participate in academic activities, including:</span></li><ul style="margin-top:0in" type="circle"><li style="color:black;margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Structured readings</span></li><li style="color:black;margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Reflective and analytical writing assignments</span></li><li style="color:black;margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Professional development programming and speaker events</span></li><li style="color:black;margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Internship evaluations</span></li><li style="color:black;margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Preparation and presentation at the UCR Undergraduate Research & Creative Activities Symposium</span></li></ul><li style="color:black;margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:12.0pt;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Meet with the UCR Instructor of Record and the Division Undergraduate Education staff <b>three times per quarter</b> to review internship and course progress</span></li></ul><p style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in;text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">The total expected student commitment is approximately <b>350 hours</b>, which corresponds to <b>11 units of academic credit</b>.</span></p><p style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in;text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Students completing more than 24 internship hours per week may be eligible for additional units. Please contact Danielle White (</span><a href="mailto:dwhite@ucr.edu" target="_blank"><span style="color:#1155cc">dwhite@ucr.edu</span></a><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">) for additional information.</span></p><p style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:8.0pt;margin-left:0in;text-align:justify"><b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Implementation Structure:</span></b></p><p style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in;text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">To support student success and degree progress:</span></p><ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc"><li style="color:black;margin-top:12.0pt;margin-bottom:0in;vertical-align:baseline"><b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">BEFORE APPLYING:</span></b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">  Students will be advised to consult with their major academic advisor (as they normally would) to understand how UCDC coursework and units may apply toward degree requirements.</span></li><li style="color:black;margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in;vertical-align:baseline"><b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">AFTER BEING ACCEPTED:</span></b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">  Continuing with previous practice, students will be required to confirm they have consulted with their academic advisor and understand any implications for their academic progress plan.</span></li><li style="color:black;margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:12.0pt;vertical-align:baseline"><b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">ENROLLMENT PROCESS: </span></b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"> Students will enroll in <b>UCDC 198I</b> and complete the required Career Center’s Internship Request Form.</span></li></ul><p style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">The Division of Undergraduate Education will manage enrollment and provide centralized support to address implementation and enrollment questions.  This standardized approach establishes consistent expectations for all UCDC participants regardless of major while reducing administrative burden across departments.</span></p><p style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:8.0pt;margin-left:0in;text-align:justify"><b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Frequently Asked Questions</span></b></p><p style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:3.0pt;margin-left:0in;text-align:justify"><b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Do departments need to do anything?</span></b></p><p style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:4.0pt;margin-left:.25in;text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">No. UCDC 198I will be fully administered by DUE. Departments will no longer be responsible for overseeing UCDC students in major-specific 198I sections for internship credit. Departments seeking enrollment data for their students participating in UCDC may contact Danielle White (</span><a href="mailto:dwhite@ucr.edu" target="_blank"><span style="color:#1155cc">dwhite@ucr.edu</span></a><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">).</span></p><p style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:3.0pt;margin-left:0in;text-align:justify"><b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">What happens to students who previously enrolled through their major’s 198I?</span></b></p><p style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:4.0pt;margin-left:.25in;text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Students who completed or enrolled in major-specific 198I sections through summer 2026 will not be affected.  This change will be implemented for UCDC students in Fall 2026.</span></p><p style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:3.0pt;margin-left:0in;text-align:justify"><b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">How are units calculated?</span></b></p><p style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:4.0pt;margin-left:.25in;text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">UCDC 198I follows the UC standard of three internship hours per unit of academic credit. Students complete a minimum of 24 internship hours per week over a 10-week quarter (240 hours). Internship participation combined with required academic activities (structured readings, reflective writing, program events, evaluations, and a research presentation at the UCR symposium) totals approximately 350 hours, corresponding to <b>11 units.</b> Students who intern more than 24 hours per week may be eligible for additional units; please contact Danielle White (</span><a href="mailto:dwhite@ucr.edu" target="_blank"><span style="color:#1155cc">dwhite@ucr.edu</span></a><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">) for details.</span></p><p style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:3.0pt;margin-left:0in;text-align:justify"><b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Will UCDC 198I count toward the major’s internship or 198I requirement?</span></b></p><p style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:4.0pt;margin-left:.25in;text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Articulation of UCDC 198I towards major requirements is determined by the student’s department.  Admitted students must consult their academic advisor to determine how UCDC units apply to their degree plan before enrolling in UCDC 198I.  We encourage departments to review the attached syllabus and advise students accordingly.  DUE is available to support these conversations.</span></p><p style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:3.0pt;margin-left:0in;text-align:justify"><b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Who can I contact with questions?</span></b></p><p style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:4.0pt;margin-left:.25in;text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Please reach out to the CUREL/DUE team at <a href="mailto:engage@ucr.edu" target="_blank">engage@ucr.edu</a>. We are happy to answer any questions about how this change may affect your students or department.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;text-align:justify;background-color:transparent">We are committed to ensuring that all interested students have equitable access to participate in UCDC. If questions arise about a specific student’s enrollment, we welcome the opportunity to work directly with departments and students to identify solutions.</span></p><p style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:8.0pt;margin-left:0in;text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting UCR students. We look forward to seeing the impact of this more equitable, streamlined experience for students participating in UCDC.</span></p><p style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:8.0pt;margin-left:0in;text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Best regards,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;text-align:justify;background-color:transparent">Louie Rodriguez</span></p><p style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:8.0pt;margin-left:0in;text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Vice Provost & Dean of the Division of Undergraduate Education</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"> <br></span></p></div>
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