School of Public Affairs
Internships
What is an internship?
An academic internship is a form of experiential learning that integrates knowledge and theories learned in the classroom with practical application and skill development in a professional setting. Students earn academic credit and are evaluated according to a job description that is incorporated into a course.
Internships are overseen by a faculty member and by a designated employee of the host organization. Academic learning objectives are integral to the internship, distinguishing them from volunteer positions or jobs.
Find out more about your internship options by clicking on your department's link below.
40,022
internship hours served
56%
internships were extended or offered employment
6
average credits taken per student
98%
positive impact on career goals
Why should I do an internship?
Internships are a critical part of your educational experience and provide the following benefits:
- Gain work experience to help you build your skills and resume
- Apply your classroom education to the work world
- Develop a professional network of contacts and mentors
- Define and help focus your career interest
- Possible employment after internship
School of Public Affairs Internship Process and Guidelines
- Meet with your major advisor to ensure an internship meets your program's requirements.
- Meet with your program's Internship Coordinator regarding internship requirements.
- Departments do not assign or locate internships for students. Apply and secure an internship.
- Ensure that your internship meets University internship guidelines and requirements.
- Ensure that your internship meets Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Unpaid internships not meeting the FLSA test for unpaid interns will not be approved. Know Your Rights is a great resource.
- Once you have secured an internship, meet again with your Internship Coordinator for approval of the internship; complete paperwork.
- Once paperwork is approved, register for the internship course.
- Complete internship assignments/requirements.
Note: Students must be enrolled in an internship course while actively interning to earn academic internship credit. Internship credit cannot be retroactively applied to a non-credit internship experience.
