MPA Internships

The primary goal of an internship is to give students an opportunity to apply lessons learned in the classroom to a real-world experience set in a professional practice-oriented environment, with the intern’s work preferably overseen by a professional. 

In addition to offering students the opportunity to demonstrate and develop their technical skills, it allows students to develop professional skills such as teamwork, effective communication, social interaction and professional networking, an understanding of business procedures, leadership, and critical thinking.

Finally, it should provide students with work experience within a semi-formal academic framework that carries with it official course credit from the University of Arizona.

An internship is a guided learning experience offered by an organization with the student’s education and preparation for future employment in mind. An internship is a temporary practical assignment, usually lasting only 1-2 academic terms, with no guarantee of ongoing employment. When internships are pursued for academic credit, the academic unit is responsible for assessing assignments and awarding credit.

All hours of work at an internship for credit must take place on or after the first day of the term in which the student will register and for which the student will receive credit and be completed on or before the last date of the same term. Retroactive requests for credit will not be granted - no exceptions.

Complete UA Internship Policy

Internships are an important part of the Master of Public Administration’s curriculum. Internships offer students a chance to work in an area of interest and allow the time and experience necessary to evaluate future career opportunities. Internships provide an opportunity to:

• Accumulate new professional skills
• Gain experience in a chosen field
• Develop a network of professional contacts
• Increase your ability to find employment

In an internship setting, students should be able to demonstrate the ability to do at least 3 of the following:

• The ability to lead and manage in public governance
• The ability to participate in and contribute to the policy process
• The ability to analyze, synthesize, think critically, solve problems, and make decisions
• The ability to articulate and apply a public service perspective
• The ability to communicate and interact productively with a diverse and changing workforce and citizenry

Students may use the above examples as a loose guideline in searching for appropriate internships.

• Students are required to complete a 3-unit internship (135 minimum total hours) within the span of one semester. 
• Students must have an approved Internship Work Plan.
• Students should be in good academic standing participate in an internship.
• An internship must be with a non-profit organization or government agency to receive academic credit.

Internship hours:

• must be completed within the designated dates of your course enrollment
• should be tracked by the site supervisor and the intern
• will be reported by the site supervisor at the end of the internship

Per University policy, PA 593 is considered a course where academic credit is received.  Therefore, all regular university tuition rates, fees, and deadlines apply.

• Online tuition and fees calculator
• Registrar Dates and Deadlines  
• Payment Dates and Deadlines  

1. Plan ahead! Depending on location, consider applying 6-9 months before your planned start date.
2. Understand the internship requirements above.
3. Research internship options and apply to multiple organizations.
   • Search online for non-profit or government agencies in your areas of interest.
   • Many internship hosts (including public and non-profit sectors) use Handshake to post internship opportunities for UA students.
   • View list of pre-approved MPA internships
     • If you find an internship of interest and it is NOT listed on the pre-approved list, please contact the Graduate Programs Manager. Please clearly describe your interest in the organization and how you believe it will be applicable to your future career. Students are welcome to search the pre-approved list of SGPP undergraduate internships as well.
4. Prepare resume(s) and cover letter(s).
   • View the Graduate Center's Career Support website for resources and career counseling services.
   • View the Office of Student Engagement & Career Development website for additional resources.
5. Internship Approval and Acceptance
   • Prepare Internship Work Plan with Site Supervisor.
   • International students must apply for and receive Curricular Practical Training (CPT) approval from the International Student Services Office (ISSO) before participating. More information can be found on the ISSO website under F-1 Student Employment: Curricular Practical Training.

1. Complete the Internship Work Plan with your site supervisor once you have been offered an internship and it has been approved.
2. Submit the completed work plan to the Graduate Programs Manager via email 1-2 weeks before the start of classes for faculty assignment and final approval.
3. After instructor assignment and approval, you will be enrolled in 3 units of PA 593. An email confirmation will be sent with further information.
4. Progress through internship according to Internship Work Plan.
5. Regularly correspond with faculty supervisor and complete any additional assignment(s) requested.
6. Submit internship evaluation forms by the last day of classes of the semester/term.  The Graduate Programs Manager will provide more information at least 2 weeks in advance prior to the last day of classes.
7. Receive final grade!

For consideration of an internship waiver, it is strongly recommended that MPA students submitting a request have completed 4-5 core classes, has a minimum 3.0 GPA, and meets one of the following criteria:

• have at least 3 years of substantial and relevant full-time managerial or supervisory experience in a government or non-profit organization
• is a U.S. Active Duty Military, Reserves, or National Guard member or Veteran
• is currently a Coverdell Fellow or served at least 1 year in the Peace Corps

Individuals who do not meet the above criteria may be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please contact the Graduate Programs Manager to discuss your circumstances before submitting a waiver request.

• Students who are approved of an internship waiver must complete a 3-unit elective course in lieu of receiving internship credit. 
• Students who are currently an SGPP Fellow (Keane, Valdez, Tucson) must complete 6 units of internship credit and are therefore ineligible to request an Internship Waiver.
• Students who are Coverdell Fellows prior to Fall 2022 will receive an automatic internship waiver, and therefore do not need to apply for this new waiver process.
• Students who are currently in an ROTC program are ineligible to request an Internship Waiver at this time.
• Students who are currently pursuing a dual degree program may not be subject to the internship requirement; please check the dual degree requirements.

All students requesting an internship waiver must submit the following documents into ONE continuous PDF file via Qualtrics:

• Internship Waiver Request Cover Sheet
• CV/Resume
• Personal statement that discusses your experience and why you believe it is relevant or comparable to an internship experience:
  • 1-2 pages in length, 10-12 point font, single or 1.5 spaced
  • Include an integration of coursework knowledge with professional experiences, demonstrating an understanding of public administration topics as presented during core lectures.
  • Examine how your managerial/supervisory position relates to the field of public administration and/or area of study.
• Additional examples of professional work and other documents that support your request may be included for consideration.

All students requesting an internship waiver must submit the following documents into ONE continuous PDF file via Qualtrics:

• Internship Waiver Request Cover Sheet
• CV/Resume
• Personal statement that discusses your experience and why you believe it is relevant or comparable to an internship experience
  • 1-2 pages in length, 10-12 point font, single or 1.5 spaced
  • Include an integration of coursework knowledge with professional experiences, demonstrating an understanding of public administration topics as presented during core lectures.
• DD-214 form or verification letter from commanding officer regarding your services

Additional examples of professional work and other documents that support your request may be included for consideration.

All students requesting an internship waiver must submit the following documents into ONE continuous PDF file via Qualtrics:

• Internship Waiver Request Cover Sheet
• CV/Resume
• Personal statement that discusses your experience and why you believe it is relevant or comparable to an internship experience
  • 1-2 pages in length, 10-12 point font, single or 1.5 spaced
  • Include an integration of coursework knowledge with professional experiences, demonstrating an understanding of public administration topics as presented during core lectures.
• One of the following:
  • verification letter of service from a direct supervisor at the Peace Corp site
  • verification letter or documentation from Peace Corps Coverdell Fellows Office at the Graduate College that you are currently a Coverdell Fellow
  • other documentation that verifies Peace Corp service
• Additional examples of professional work and other documents that support your request may be included for consideration.