Purpose - Requirements - Proposal for Internships - Students and Field Mentor Responsibilities - Internship Site (Agency/Organizational) Responsibilities - Required Documents

Downloadable PDF version of Field Policies

Purpose
The purpose of the applied policy internship requirement is to engage students in "real world" policy issues in areas of professional interest. Students locate an agency or organization where they can conduct their applied policy analysis research project and complete the required 400 hours.

The internship provides students with the opportunity to apply academic knowledge and skills in a professional environment, and to support/promote the graduate's career goals through contact with public policy professionals in the field. The internship experience enables students to participate in policy-related activities of public, private, or non-profit organizations working on important and timely public policy issues. Internships are structured learning experiences where interns and Field Mentors/Instructors work together on policy related projects within their selected organization. The internship allows students to integrate knowledge and skills in a manner that is mutually beneficial to the student and their sponsoring mentor/organization.

Requirements
The internship is a supervised work assignment, of at least 400 hours, in an agency or organization selected by the student and approved by the academic advisor and Field Coordinator. To allow as much flexibility as possible, the following options are available to students:

1. Full-time summer internship: (40 hours per week for 10 weeks): Students complete field hours during the summer after the Spring MPP 600A/696A seminar sequence and prior to their final year in the program.

2. Internship during the academic year: Students complete field hours after the Spring MPP 600A/696A seminar sequence, prior to graduation.

3. Employment-based internship: Students complete field hours after the Spring MPP 600A/696A seminar sequence, prior to graduation. This option is intended for students who have submitted a proposal requesting to use their employer as their internship site and have received approval from the Field Coordinator.

The internship must be arranged through the MPP 600A/696A seminars with approval of their academic advisor and Field Coordinator. The Internship Proposal (Appendix A) must be submitted no later than April 1 st , prior to beginning the internship. The MPP 600 A&B Applied Policy Analysis Research Seminar and the MPP 696 A, B, C Professional Policy Internship Seminar sequence is taken in the student's last three semesters and provides the methodological and logistical support for their internships and thesis development.

Students may elect to complete their internships at the local, state, national or international levels depending upon their policy interests and availability. The selected internship should support the student's individual learning and educational needs, as well as reflect their chosen concentration (HSP or GPP) in the program. In addition, the internship site must be able to support the student's applied policy research topic (developed in the MPP 600A/696A seminars).

Students may consult with the MPP 600/696 instructor for assistance in obtaining information about possible local internship opportunities in their chosen area of interest. However, it is the student's responsibility to locate and secure the internship. Students will be introduced to the field process in MPP 500 and will begin the process of confirming a suitable placement in the spring MPP 600A/696A seminar.

For national and international placements, students should begin their search and interview process as early as possible in the program, to ensure they meet the proposal deadlines and secure a suitable placement. Students should consult with their academic advisors or outside advisors, as appropriate.

Proposal for Internships
The proposed internship site must be a recognized agency/organization that can provide a policy related experience for the student.

The following components are required for all internship proposals:

• Internship Proposal Cover Sheet that includes organizational information such as mission, goals, objectives, programs, administrative/organizational chart, etc.
  
  
• A copy of the student's most recent professional resume.
  
  
• Description of how the internship site will provide a policy focused experience that connects to the MPP Learning Outcomes. (For students using their place of employment, the proposal must also clarify how the experience differs from their regular scope of duties.)
  
  
• Identification of MPP Learning Outcomes that will be addressed in the internship and applied policy research project.
  
  
• A project concept paper which describes the applied policy research topic and how the student's work will benefit the community.
  
  
• Description of the student's schedule (dates of service, hours per week, etc.) to complete the 400 hours and approval by the internship site to proceed.
  
  
• Agency approval sign-off sheet completed by the Field Mentor and the student.

All students must submit two copies of the Internship Proposal packet that addresses all of the above items to the MPP600/696 instructor no later than April 1st preceding the internship start-date.

Student and Field Instructor Responsibilities
The proposed internship site must be a recognized agency or organization that can provide a policy related experience for the student. During the internship experience, the student is responsible to the Field Instructor for agreed upon projects and work duties that support the achievement of the MPP Learning Outcomes and completion of a project as specified in the Applied Policy Analysis Research Seminar (MPP 600 A & B). Students are required to:

• Develop and submit an Internship Agreement during the first two weeks of the internship with the assistance of the agency/organization Field Mentor /Instructor.
  
  
• Assist the Field Mentor/Instructor with management of the field practice experience.
  
  
• Provide high quality, professional and ethical work products.
  
  
• Comply with the agency or organization's policies and procedures.
  
  
• Complete all academic and professional assignments in a timely and agreed upon manner.

Internship Site (Agency/Organizational) Responsibilities
The following guidelines are considered in the selection and approval of proposed internship sites:

• The agency/organization is in good standing in the community and in its respective profession.
  
  
• The agency/organization's administration, staff and governing body are aware of and support the goals of graduate level field-based education, and will allow the Field Mentor/Instructor to provide adequate time for supervising the student.
  
  
• Mentoring will include adequate time to provide support and guidance to the student on the applied policy research project.
  
  
• The agency/organization is willing to accept students without regard to age, gender, race, national origin, physical disabilities or sexual orientation.
  
  
• The agency/organization will provide adequate space and equipment for the student, in a safe environment.

Required Documents
(see Forms and Evaluations for downloadable forms)
All MPP students must submit the following required field program documentation to the MPP 600/696 instructor as indicated:

• Internship Proposal Cover Sheet: Submitted no later than April 1st prior to beginning the internship.
  
  
• Internship Agreement : Submitted by the 2nd week of the internship.
  
  
• Student Assessment by the Field Mentor/Instructor: Completed by the Field Instructor at the conclusion of the internship.
  
  
• Student Assessment of the Internship Site and Mentor: Completed by the student at the conclusion of the internship.
  
  
• Field Instructor Assessment of the MPP Field Program: Completed by the student at the conclusion of the internship.