Students who have little or no work experience in an information organization should consider a practicum as one of their electives. 

Regardless of where you live, our practicum coordinators will match you with a library, cultural institution or information organization that aligns with your personal passions and professional goals. Practicums offer students real-world experience working on site or remotely under the direction of an information professional and the supervision of a SIS faculty member. Our students have been placed at locations across Michigan, the United States and beyond at public libraries and other locations including:

• Library of Congress
• Detroit Institute of Arts
• Henry Ford Health
• Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Balch Research Library
• United States Coast Guard Academy Library
• Joseph A. Labadie Collection, University of Michigan
• Maguire Medical School Library, Florida State University
• Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University

Please note there are several practicum opportunities. Please be sure to fill out the appropriate application: library services, information management, archival administration/DCM or school library media. 

General Practicum Information for MLIS and MSIS Students

Practicums are 3-credit classes offered each term. The course requires 135 hours at the practicum site plus three mandatory online meetings (webinars). Note: most practicum sites require students to be there during normal business hours.

A call for submission of practicum applications is made each semester to the SIS email listserv. In addition to filing a practicum application, the student must also register for the course; students cannot register for the practicum without receiving departmental approval. Both the submission of an application and course registration are required in order for the practicum supervisor to place the student. Applications may be submitted during the application period using the form below.

Practicum Guidelines

School Library Media and Archival Administration Students

Please note that students specializing in school library media or pursing the archival administration certificate must complete a practicum. School media and archival students should visit the links below for more information regarding their practicums.

Practicum Guidelines - School Library Media

Practicum Guidelines - DCM (Digital Content Management)

Practicum Guidelines - Archival

Application Deadlines:

For frequently asked questions regarding practica, please visit the Practicum FAQ section.