Internship Process
Students are responsible for finding internships with government or nonprofit agencies. Students are not permitted to intern with law firms or political campaigns. Students can contact the SGPP Internship Coordinator for internship approval.
Please review the information below to familiarize yourself with the internship process.
Contact SGPP Internship Coordinator Laureana Benitez with questions (laureana@arizona.edu).
MPA Students: Please refer to the MPA Internship Manual found in the program D2L page for the correct procedure on PA 593 enrollment.
Requirements by Major
- Criminal Justice (CJS) INTERNSHIP REQUIRED: 3 units (PA 493): 120 on-site internship hours & 15 hours of coursework
- Public Affairs (PAF) INTERNSHIP REQUIRED : 3 units (PA 393): 120 on-site internship hours & 15 hours of coursework
- CJS & PAF Double Majors: Complete internships for each major.
- Political Science (POL): Internships can be applied towards upper-division elective credit (POL 393), with 40 hours of internship work and 5 hours of coursework required per credit.
- BA Law Majors: Enroll through the B.A. in Law office. https://law.arizona.edu/academics/degrees/bachelor-arts-law/internships
Internship Timing
- Summer Internships: Search from January to March; Work plans due by June 4.
- Fall Internships: Search from February to June; Work plans due by August 31.
- Spring Internships: Search from September to November; Work plans due by January 11.
Internship Application Deadline
- Fall 2026: Submit the work plan by August 24 to guarantee internship enrollment. Work plans will not be accepted after August 31. The internship runs from August 24- December 9.
→ If you receive financial aid, it's recommended to submit your work plan by August 17 to ensure you are enrolled in the required number of credits for your aid to be processed and applied to your Bursar Account - Law Majors: Review the BA Law Internship Website
Internship Steps
- Familiarize yourself with internship requirements before contacting organizations.
- Begin your search 3-6 months in advance.
- Draft and edit your application materials.
- Apply and complete the internship hiring and onboarding process.
- Submit work plan after receiving an offer.
- Confirm enrollment in UAccess.
- Complete course assignments via D2L.
Internship Waiver
Veterans, ROTC students, or students working full-time with relevant experience may be eligible for a waiver. See details below.
Internship Waiver Criteria
Criminal Justice Studies and Public Affairs (formerly titled Public Management & Policy) majors may request to waive their 3 credit internship requirement and replace it with a 3 credit upper division class in their major if the following criteria apply:
- The student is currently working 30 + hours/week in a professional capacity at a professional organization. The job is ongoing and permanent (not a summer job), and the student has worked at least six months at the job.
- The student can provide proof of working previously in a full-time professional position at a public sector organization clearly related to the student’s major for at least six months.
- The student is active duty military and works in a role related to their major.
- The student is a veteran and served four years active duty in a role related to their major.
- The student is a ROTC student and recently completed leadership training.
- The job description shows clear relevance to the student’s major.
Contact Laureana Benitez, laureana@arizona.edu, the SGPP Internship Coordinator for more information.
International Students
Must get Curricular Practical Training (CPT) approval from International Student Services before starting internships. Employment: Curricular Practical Training.
Questions
Review the Frequently Asked Questions page
Contact SGPP Coordinator Laureana Benitez (laureana@arizona.edu)