MPA Internships

Master of Public Administration students are required to complete a 3-unit internship (135 minimum total hours) within the span of one semester/term at a nonprofit organization or government agency.  

Internship Waivers are available for career students with managerial experience, military affiliated students, and Coverdell Fellows/Peace Corps Service members; current students should discuss eligibility and the process of requesting an internship waiver with their Program Advisor. 

For additional internship guidance, please also review the following documents: Student Intern Responsibilities and Agency/Organization Responsibilities and Best Practices

Internship Overview

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.

More information regarding internships:

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.

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 an appropriate internship.

"Internships offer a safe environment for a young professional to make mistakes, learn new skills, and apply the knowledge and experience that I gained from courses I completed in the MPA program."
-Mackenzie Letcher, Class of 2020
MPA Main Campus Alumni & Keane Fellow

MPA Approved Internships

Below is a list of pre-approved MPA internships by area of interest.  Please note that this list is by no means exhaustive, and only lists internship organizations that are the most common amongst MPA students at the Main Campus. 

Students interested in Federal Internships can find more information here.

More State of Arizona jobs and internships can be found at the Arizona State Jobs website.

Other academic departments may have internships available.

Students are welcome to find an internship at different government and non-profit agencies.  Additional internships can also be found on the SGPP undergraduate internship website. Please consult with Jeff Winkelman (jeffwinkelman@arizona.edu), Assistant Director for Career Development, if you are unsure if the internship organization of interest is eligible for academic credit.

Are you a department administrator or community partner looking for MPA interns?  

Please feel free to send your announcements to jeffwinkelman@arizona.edu 
or SBS-sgppmasters@arizona.edu.