Consulting Practicum

Overview

Students in the Consulting Practicum interact with businesses or non-profit organizations seeking creative solutions to challenges they face. This practicum offers experiential learning on all project phases from investigation and analysis, through presentation of recommendations designed to meet real-world needs.

  • Students receive faculty guidance to undertake an experiential learning project.
  • Students collaborate with diverse organizations to investigate projects as consultants.
  • Students analyze a business problem or other issue that an organization faces, with the expectation of improving their critical thinking skills.

Eligibility & Application Process

  • Must have a declared major within the School of Social Sciences, and have completed nine credit hours in the declared major. If a student has not yet declared a major in Social Sciences, they may apply to the Gateway Program before doing so, however, final approval is not possible until the relevant major is officially declared.
  • Preference will be given to students in their third/fourth year of study, as well as those who have completed one or more relevant courses. However, all Social Sciences students are welcomed to apply.
  • International students must receive approval for On-Campus Work at an Off-Campus Site from OISS.
  • Applications for each semester are due:
    • Fall applications are due March 10th.
    • Spring applications are due October 21st.

Once Selected

  • Students must complete all post-admission application items that will be provided after approval for the program.
  • Students will complete a pre-program orientation session provided by the School of Social Sciences.
  • Students must agree to enroll in SOSC 444- Consulting Practicum.
  • During the first weeks of class, students will have an opportunity to review the projects and preference those that peak their interest. Most projects will be assigned 2-3 students.
  • Students will meet with project hosts throughout the semester to collect information and provide feedback on their progress.
  • Project findings and feedback will be presented during the final week of class.

Partner Listing

Current Projects:

  • Albert Schweitzer Fellowship Houston Galveston
  • The Pangea Network
  • West Houston Association

Previous Consulting Projects:

  • 3B Public Relations
  • Chimera, Inc.
  • Coach Cam Courses
  • Community Health Choice
  • Define Body & Mind
  • East Harris County Manufacturer's Association
  • Hakaya Productions
  • Harris County Public Health
  • High School for the Performing and Visual Arts
  • Houston Museum District Association
  • Houston Urban Debate League
  • Houston West Chamber of Commerce
  • Houston Zoo
  • Misty Blue Media
  • Mental Health America
  • New Hope Housing
  • NuMotion
  • Plant-it-Forward
  • SouthEast Texas Regional Advisory Council
  • Spectrum Fusion
  • Texas Homes REI
  • Turkish Airlines
  • WatchHerWork
  • World Affairs Council of Greater Houston