Explore the link between active citizenship and academic knowledge.
The Graduate Engagement Opportunities (GEO) Community Practicum enables graduate students across disciplines to connect theory & practice through a quarter-long internship with a public interest organization and a credit-bearing seminar on engaged scholarship.
GEO is offered every Spring through a partnership between the Center for Civic Engagement, Chicago Field Studies, and The Graduate School.
Applications are now open for Spring 2027. The priority deadline is December 1, 2026.
The experiential component of the GEO program is a 10-week placement at a community organization. This placement serves as a structured opportunity for students to bring their expertise to bear on social issues, develop mutually-beneficial community partnerships, and/or develop new professional skills and experiences.
Students work one-on-one with GEO staff to secure a placement that matches their interests. We have placed graduate students at more than 100 organizations, from governmental agencies to museums & cultural institutions to national advocacy groups and grassroots non-profits. GEO students work 10-20 hours per week on a project they develop with their host organizations.
The academic, credit-bearing component of GEO is CFS 495: Civic Engagement and Graduate Education. Shared readings, along with guest speakers and site visits, foster discussion across disciplines. Topics may include theories and models of public scholarship, the history, politics and literature of Chicago, and case studies in community-university partnerships.
Graduate students at any stage of doctoral study are eligible to apply. While PhD students are given priority, Masters students will be considered if space permits.
International students are eligible to participate. GEO staff will work with you to find a placement appropriate to your visa authorization. Students seeking on-campus placements can benefit from the University’s diverse array of public-facing units to learn about translational research & implementation, public policy, public programming, museums, publishing, educational access, youth development, and more. Contact Program Director Ruth Curry for more information.
Apply now to join the Spring 2027 cohort of GEO. Priority applications are due December 1, 2026 although we will continue to accept applications until the class is full.
Evaluations from partner organizations attest to the fact that GEO interns contribute valuable skills and produce high quality work. If you are interested in hosting a GEO student, please consult our information sheet for host organizations. We welcome feedback from new & continuing partners on how we can strengthen the program and further develop mutually-beneficial relationships.
For more information, contact GEO Program Director Ruth Curry at ruth.martin@northwestern.edu.