Snowy RiverThe purpose of the internship is to provide the degree candidate with a meaningful learning experience within the context of American public administration. Each three-credit internship course must entail a total of 300 hours (20 hrs/wk over a 15 week semester) for the three credit requirement. Often, the internship is completed during the summer months between the student's first and second year in the degree program.

Most students serving an internship are placed in government agencies. However, nonprofit agencies, or public service oriented organizations are also permissible. The work experience should provide the candidate with a realistic exposure to the work environment of a public sector organization. Ideally this would include the organization's clientele and its broader political context, as well as the internal organization dynamics of the agency.