Program Overview

Humanities in Action Program

Introduction

The Humanities in Action program is designed to provide humanities students with practical experience and career-focused curriculum. The program enables students to gain meaningful internship experiences in the nonprofit sector, applying career readiness competencies gained in the classroom.

Goals

The program is guided by four main goals:

• Increase student participation in internships
• Enhance career readiness and professional development
• Increase the number of humanities majors
• Improve local communities

Program Details

The Humanities in Action program allows humanities majors to apply for paid internships in the nonprofit sector during spring, summer, or fall semesters. Students in the program will enroll in CSHU 369, which provides additional career and professional development. Career readiness competencies will be infused throughout each humanities major, ensuring that all humanities majors develop these competencies. Career readiness curricular maps will also be developed to help students understand and articulate the career skills they are gaining as humanities majors.

Eligibility Requirements

To participate in the Humanities in Action internship program, students must:

• Have a declared humanities major (classical cultures, English, history, modern languages, philosophy, religious studies, or women's and gender studies)
• Be a junior or senior
• Have completed at least 12 credits toward their humanities major
• Be in good academic standing

Internship Details

• Internships are paid: $2100 stipend for 140 hours of work during fall and spring semesters, and $3000 stipend for 200 hours of work during summer semesters
• Students do not need to find their own internship; the program maintains partnerships with nonprofit organizations
• Internship placements provide students with meaningful experience that prepares them for future careers

Support and Funding

The Humanities in Action program is made possible by the Mellon Foundation, which awarded a $2.5 million grant to Ball State University to create hands-on opportunities for undergraduate students majoring in the humanities. The Mellon Foundation is the nation's largest supporter of the arts and humanities, guided by the core belief that the humanities and arts are essential to human understanding.