Internships

MPA internships are designed to meet the experiential needs of pre-service students and to assist with post-graduation job placement. To ensure MPA students possess and can demonstrate the knowledge and skills required for professional success, internships should be completed during the last semester of study in the MPA program.

The internship requirement is comprised of approximately 300 working hours during which students perform professional administrative duties with an approved public or nonprofit organization. MPA interns submit a journal that relates “practice” to theory learned in the classroom. Interns also write an essay describing the internship experience and the learning gained from it. The intern’s supervisor will submit two written evaluations of the intern’s performance.

Internships may be performed by enrolling in the appropriate internship course, with the approval of the MPA Internship Coordinator, for 3 credit hours. Students may also repeat the internship experience, with the approval of the MPA Internship Coordinator, for an additional 3 credit hours. In addition, students may complete an internship to gain professional experience without enrolling in the internship course or earning credit hours toward the MPA degree.

All MPA student internships must be pre-approved by their advisor and the MPA Internship Coordinator, who is also available to assist students with all aspects of the internship process. In addition, WSU Career Services personnel are available to assist students with identifying potential internships, developing resumes, honing interview skills, and job placement.