Answers to Internship FAQs
Internship is one of several professional development experiences all Bachelor of Science, Public Service and Public Policy (BS-PSPP) students are encouraged to participate in during their studies.
An internship is a professional development experience that enhances your education by providing an opportunity for you to
- Explore work and career pathways in public and community service
- Apply classroom knowledge and skills to professional projects and workplace solutions
- Develop highly valued transferable skills and competencies in leadership and management
- Build professional relationships and establish yourself as an emerging professional
- Understand recruitment and hiring processes and trends for a successful transition and gain a competitive edge in today’s marketplace!
It is recommended that students consider participation in an internship during their second-semester junior year and first-semester senior year, and prior to expected participation in the PAF400 Senior Capstone class.
Students who have attained graduate-level status through the 4+1 advanced degree program or the traditional MPA or MPP degree programs should consider additional internship and other work-learning opportunities (research assistant, service-learning, volunteer and project work) to enhance their education and career/professional development when they have no prior experience in public service or their work/career interests or will be transitioning to a new area of interest in which they hope to build expertise.
Graduate students with limited or no professional experience, or those who plan to transition to a new area of interest should also consider internship and other work-learning opportunities (management intern/assistant/analyst).
On average, identifying, seeking, and securing an internship takes approximately 3-6 months.
To apply for internship students should first complete the Research Methods and Statistics courses. Yes, besides making the rest of your studies in public administration and policy easier, more employers seek students and graduates with the marketable skill sets gained in these classes.
Four-year and Transfer students should complete these courses by the end of their first-semester junior standing, in order to successfully compete for internship and employment.
SPA students earn credit through participation in the designated course PAF484/584 Internship. Students earn credit for the hours of work performed during an approved field experience.
Bachelor's students may choose to earn 3 or 6 credits of internship toward their degree. The Arizona Board of Regents has determined that at the undergraduate level students perform 135-150 hours class attendance and homework for 3 credits. Through Internship or field experience students combine learning from the classroom and homework. Therefore, students will perform 125 - 135 work hours and 10 - 15 hours tracking and reflecting on the experience to earn 3 credits during the designated internship period. Double work hours (250 - 270) for 6 credits. At the graduate level (MPA, MPP) students are expected to complete 300 work hours for 3 credits Internship (i.e. 20 hours per week X 15 week semester).
Students should calculate a break down of average number of hours per week multiplied by the number of weeks the internship is scheduled, in order to determine a balanced course load and maintain high internship performance. Usually fall and spring internship or opportunities begin and end in alignment with the University's academic calendar, or 15 weeks. A summer internship may be shorter (8, 10, 12 weeks).
Generally, internship partners will post positions requesting 10-15, 15-20, 20, 30 or even 40 (full time immersive) hours. Students can use an average to calculate credit and schedule accordingly to meet the minimum required to earn credit (i.e. 10 hrs X 15 weeks =150 (3 credits), 17 hrs X 15 weeks = 255 (6 credits)
PAF484 is offered during the C-session of a semester - fall, spring, and currently during the B-Session in summer.
The work-learning of the internship coincides with participation in PAF484, an internship course. That means that work hours are conducted over the length of a semester – 15-16 weeks in fall and spring, or may be performed during 8-, 10- or 12-weeks in the summer.
Academic credit is awarded as a pass/fail grade. All course assignments, total hours of work, and work projects must be completed satisfactorily to earn a passing grade.
The School of Public Affairs provides assistance in the processes of identifying, seeking and securing credit for internship through academic advising and career coaching, recommended resources and practices, and University policies for documentation and awarding of academic credit for learning outside the classroom. The PAF484 course provides additional professional development and preparation for post-graduation success.
Contact us:
School of Public Affairs - Office of Career and Professional Development
(602) 496-1035
Students should follow recommended steps outlined on the SPA Internship homepage - Intro Session, Application and Intake Interview, and in accordance with the Internship Timeline and Checklist. Pertinent links to documents are located on the SPA Internship home page.
Recommended first steps to identifying, seeking and qualifying an internship:
1. Attend a SPA Internship Introduction Session -early in the semester prior to the semester that you plan to participate in an internship and the PAF484 or PAF 584 course. Register for an Introduction Session. Virtual workshops for students seeking Spring 2024 internships will be scheduled, Fridays at noon September through November. In June we will post a few summer dates for workshops for students seeking in fall 2023, who missed information sessions this spring.
2. Prepare a SPA Internship Application and submit along with a draft resume to the SPA Internship Coordinator. The online Application provides the coordinator with the student's reflections on their career interests, marketable skill sets and work values, in other words, readiness for internship,
3. Meet with the Internship Coordinator for an Intake Interview, to learn about current opportunities, review your application and promotional materials, and develop a search plan, or to qualify an internship for which you have been selected for credit and participation in the PAF 484/584 course, during the same semester.
Additional Tips:
1) use recommended resources and best practices to identify and seek prospective internships that fit interests and provide career preparation, 3-6 months prior to the semester participation is planned,
2) research, apply and interview for multiple opportunities during the search,
3) discuss offers with the internship coordinator for pre-approval for participation in the Internship class
4) consider and accept the best offer to accomplish individual academic and career goals.
Once selected for internship,
- Students provide the internship coordinator with a position description and student statement of interest and internship fit with career goals,
- Students meet with the internship supervisor/agency to complete official documents for an internship agreement/approval (Confirmation and Learning Objectives),
- Once an internship is approved, students register and participate in the PAF484/584 Internship course to earn academic credit for internship.
Students must complete the approval process for an internship no later than the 1st of the month prior to the start of the semester they wish to participate in internship, and register for the Internship course prior to the University’s designated “last day to drop/add a class” (without additional signatures required) in order to earn credit during any fall, spring or summer semester.
See the Internship Timeline & Checklist for appropriate dates. If you’re concerned about these dates, please reach out to the SPA Internship Coordinator by email or phone.
School of Public Affairs - Office of Career and Professional Development
(602) 496-1035
Past employers with internships include:
Cities of - Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, Peoria, Avondale, Glendale, Arizona, and more - City Manager's Office, Mayor' s Office and/or City Council, and various Departments | Maricopa County - Assistant County Manager’s Office, multiple Departments and Divisions, Arizona County Supervisors Association, Maricopa Association of Governments, League of Cities and Towns | Arizona State Governor’s Office of Strategic Planning and Budget, Department of Economic Security, Arizona State Legislature | U.S. Department of Health and Human Service - Indian Health Service, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Dept. of State, FBI, DEA, USDA
Students can view descriptions of ‘current’ and ‘established’ opportunities for professional development posted on the SPA Internship page Seeking an Internship