In CAS’s Communities of Practice program, you’ll build your skills while completing work for external organizations. Some students will work as day-to-day interns and some will complete projects — it all depends on what your community partner needs. No matter the format of your match, you’ll get to work alongside professionals in the field, doing real, impactful work for the community.
Currently Offered COP Programs
Sustainable Urban Planning
Students will be placed at an internship site based on their interest within the urban planning / local government field (sustainable transportation, land use, energy planning, etc.)
Nonprofits & Social Change
Vermont has 6,276 nonprofit organizations. How will you get involved? Work directly with organizations that are working to positively impact Vermont’s communities.
Environmental Stewardship & Restoration
Work alongside professionals from around Vermont to further the stewardship and protection of Vermont’s natural resources into the future.
COMING in FALL 2025: Liberal Arts & Cultural Heritage
Focus on the impact of museums, archives, libraries, and other public access cultural institutions on and within local communities.
Student Legal Services
Student Legal Services provides UVM students with free legal advice. Interns for the SLS program play a crucial role in the functioning of the program–working with consulting attorneys to intake and process legal concerns.
Application required
After enrolling in one of the COP courses above, you will be matched with an organization. The faculty members who lead each COP are all either currently working or retired from the field in which they specialize. Their professional experience helps make this program more valuable to you as an emerging professional.
The Communities of Practice program is ideal both for students who are taking a first step into work-based learning, and for those who want to work with a diverse set of community partners and professionals. These courses are open to students of all majors at UVM. Sophomore year standing required except in rare cases.
Looking for more programs? Check out:
The Vermont State Legislative Internship Program
Intern directly with Vermont’s state legislators, staff, and committees in this 5-credit program.
Vermont Public Partnership
Work alongside Vermont Public staff while earning academic credit.
The Community News Service
Report on Vermont communities under the direction of professional editors, and to have their work published in local outlets.
Semester for Impact
Get matched with a 30 hour/week internship in Vermont’s social change sector while earning up to 15 UVM credits.
For our community partners:
Thank you for working with us to get our students integrated into community issues, projects, and initiatives! If you have any questions, please be in touch with the COP faculty member you work with. Not working with a faculty member yet? Fill out the Community Partner Intake Form to be routed to the most appropriate match!
Still have questions?
Email cas.internships@uvm.edu — our team would be happy to assist.
