Internships

Overview

MPA internships provide students with meaningful experiences in applying what they have learned through classes in real-world settings. They also support and assist organizations and agencies in their efforts to address community needs. Student interns contribute to projects in the development, planning, implementation, and analysis/evaluation of policy, finance, management, supervision, strategy and program development.

Through internships, students often make important discoveries and professional connections. Networking opportunities may be invaluable when preparing to enter the job market.

Commitment

Students must spend at least 150 hours in their internship placement, which lasts approximately 15 weeks (10 hours per week) and may be completed during the fall, spring or summer semesters. The MPA internship course (PAFF 594) is worth two credits and is graded on a letter scale. To pass PAFF 594, students must earn a grade of B or higher.

Students are responsible for identifying their internship placements and should be prepared for the required attention and planning.

Eligibility

An internship at a public or nonprofit organization allows students to apply the knowledge and skills they have gained from their courses in a real work environment. It also serves as an opportunity for the program to showcase the value that Master of Public Administration (MPA) students can bring to professional public service organizations. The performance of students during their internships reflects directly on the program. Therefore, it is the program's responsibility to ensure that students have demonstrated the necessary knowledge, skills, professionalism, maturity, and reliability expected of MPA students. Additionally, based on a student's course selections and performance in those courses, some internship placements may be more appropriate than others.

Prior to beginning the internship, students must successfully complete 17 credit hours. PAFF-510 (4 credits), PAFF-520 (4 credits), and PAFF-521 (4 credits) must be included in the 17 credit hours. PAFF-501, PAFF-502, PAFF-503, and/or CCPA 580/581 cannot be included in the 17 credit hours required for the MPA internship. Students pursuing a department specialization are generally expected to complete an internship in the appropriate sector (nonprofit or local government).

Process

When a student has accepted an offer for an internship, several steps must be taken prior to beginning the internship experience:

1. Develop the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Site Supervisor;
2. When the MOU is complete, email it to the Internship Coordinator for approval before obtaining signatures;
3. When departmental approval is given, have the site supervisor sign the MOU, and make an appointment with the Internship Coordinator to sign and file the MOU.

Registration

Students are not able to register directly for the MPA internship course, PAFF 594. Only after completing the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and approval by the Site Supervisor and the Internship Coordinator can the student request that the Internship Coordinator register him/her in the course. It is recommended that the site selection and MOU development process begin early enough in the previous semester so that the student can initiate the internship as planned.

Selecting an internship site

Students are encouraged to select internship sites within their area of concentration or interest in a government or nonprofit setting. In-service students employed in public agencies or nonprofit organizations may conduct their internship at their place of employment under the supervision of a higher-level administrator or manager.

Selecting an internship site is one of a student's most important decisions and should be undertaken with significant consideration and care. After each semester's general informational session, the internship coordinator can meet with each student individually to discuss and narrow down site options. Internships and other opportunities are announced regularly via the MPA listserv.

Students are responsible for contacting prospective sites, submitting applications and scheduling interviews. This will require a well-written, updated résumé and a compelling letter of intent. Guidelines for creating résumés and cover letters are available from the Fleishman Center for Career and Professional Development website.

• Not sure where to do your MPA internship? Click here for some ideas you might find interesting!

  Government Internships

  Local

  NEW YORK CITY GOVERNMENT SUMMER INTERNSHIPS
  The provides a comprehensive internship guide listing internship opportunities at over twenty-five different city agencies. Paid internships are available.

  BROOME COUNTY GOVERNMENT INTERNSHIPS
  Broome County offers several graduate-level to students within various departments. Paid internships are available.

  BROOME COUNTY LEGISLATIVE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
  Broome County also offers a specific Legislative Internship Program to students each summer. Interns with the Broome County Legislature have the opportunity to conduct research, act as a communicator between the legislature and the other branches of the government, prepare and present data and reports to the Legislative Assistant or Clerk, assist with the drafting of press releases and Legislative Proclamations, and more. Requests for applications to the summer program will be posted on the MPA list serve each spring. 

  State

  STATE OF NEW YORK EXCELSIOR SERVICE FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM
  The is a two-year funded fellowship offering talented recent graduates hands-on training and experience in New York State government. Fellows work full-time at host executive-branch agencies and authorities, and may be placed in the Executive Chamber, Empire State Development Corporation, Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs, the Department of Environmental Conservation, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. Most placements are located in Albany. Visa sponsorship is not available. 

  The application will be posted to the MPA listserv at the end of each fall semester, with interviews in January and February. 

  INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES IN NEW YORK STATE GOVERNMENT 
  Comprehensive list of in a variety of State departments and divisions.

  INTERNSHIP/JOB OPPORTUNITIES IN NEW YORK STATE DIVISION OF THE BUDGET 
  They advertise opportunities in an array of policy areas and functions. The work at DOB is high-impact, fast-paced public service, spanning virtually all policy areas and touching the lives of all New Yorkers.  

  The outlines additional information on employment opportunities, including a list of .

  INTERN WITH THE NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY 
  The sponsors the Graduate Internship at the State Capital starting every January. The Graduate Internship provides full-time research or policy analysis positions with Assembly leaders, committees and research staffs. Graduate Scholars are required to attend Issue Policy Forums and the course provided by the Faculty Advisor or Professors-in-Residence. Graduate Scholars have the opportunity to develop their understanding of the legislative process and New York State government and to apply their ideas and research skills in the legislative process. Paid internship. Application deadline rolls from mid-August to mid-November each year.

  Federal and other Washington, D.C. Internships

  SUNY WASHINGTON INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
  All SUNY students are eligible for . Students work in Washington D.C. full-time four days a week (Monday through Thursday) for 15 weeks in governmental offices or at organizations involved in studying or attempting to influence public policy or the policy-making process.

  WASHINGTON INTERNSHIP INSTITUTE
  The is an educational nonprofit organization that helps place students in an internship of interest to them in Washington, D.C. There is an application process and a tuition fee for this program, but need-based scholarships are available.

  Nonprofit Internships

  National

  IDEALIST
  is an interactive site where you can search nonprofit internships and identify nonprofit organizations in your area of interest throughout the country. 

  Nonprofits in Broome County

  FIRST CALL FOR HELP DIRECTORY
  This is a comprehensive directory for in Broome County. It can be used to search for nonprofits that may be relevant to your interests. You can search by city, program or agency to find a potential internship site.  

  International Internships

  STUDYABROAD.COM
  Select the subject area titled "Public Policy, Public Administration, Government" in this to search for relevant internships throughout the world.

  Other General Resources

  • (There is a nonprofit job category on this search engine.)

   

Expectations of students

As a graduate student who has completed two semesters of MPA coursework, the duties of the student during the internship must exceed those typically assigned to undergraduate level interns. The student must have administrative responsibilities throughout his or her internship in order to receive credit. Examples of administrative responsibilities include program evaluation, program development, policy analysis, financial analysis, research and strategic planning.

The student intern should have little or no office support/secretarial duties and may not provide direct services to clients. In addition to being involved in administrative processes, the student should be included in organizational meetings and other general events in order to maximize the overall learning experience.

Assessment of internship experience

The intern will be expected to evaluate his/her experience at the end of the internship by writing a three- to four-page memorandum (single-spaced) that summarizes his/her internship activities and provides reflections on its relevance to his/her MPA coursework. It should describe how s/he has demonstrated the professional and core competencies expected of MPA students, such as communication and application of analytical skills to solve problems outlined on the final intern evaluation form. In particular, the intern should explain how s/he was able to integrate public administration theory and knowledge into practice through the internship experience, illustrating with specific examples. Insights gained and areas of new learning, challenges and how they were addressed, and the “fit” of the internship with the intern’s interests and anticipated career direction should also be incorporated.

The site supervisor will also evaluate the intern. Both the final intern evaluation form and the reflection paper must be completed and submitted within two weeks of the last date of the internship term to receive a final grade for the internship.

Waivers

Students who have significant professional administrative, supervisory, and/or management experience may request a waiver of the required MPA internship. This applies to those with at least three years of experience as an executive director, top level manager, or similar administrative position. To apply, the student must submit a formal request to the Internship Coordinator explaining the length and administrative functions associated with relevant experiences, a rationale for waiving the internship requirement, and a copy of a current résumé. The MPA program reserves the right to deny the request and require an internship experience.

MPA students who are currently working in public or nonprofit administrative positions, but who do not have sufficient professional experience to qualify for an internship waiver, have an option to complete their internship at their place of work. These students will register for the internship course, complete a MOU, and proceed with the process as described above.

International Students

International students with F-1 Visas are required to fill out the “Curricular Practical Training” (CPT) form prior to beginning an internship. These forms are available from the International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) office and must be approved by the student’s academic advisor. Failure to complete this form will result in the loss the F-1 immigration status. Students with J-1 Visas should consult with the International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) office prior to drafting an MOU.

Felony Statement

Students who have previously been convicted of a felony are advised that their prior criminal history may impede their ability to complete the requirements of certain academic programs and/or to meet licensure requirements for certain professions. Students who have concerns about such matters are advised to contact the Department Chair of their intended academic program.

COVID-19 VACCINE

Many of our off-campus assignments for students require complete vaccination for COVID. Sites may have varying requirements; religious exemptions may not be available, and the site may have narrow guidelines for medical exemptions. Any religious exemption granted by �������� applies only to the University setting; it does not apply to off-campus affiliated activities or locations. The inability to complete the 300-hour internship requirement will affect a student's progress in the MPA program.