A professional-level internship consisting of a minimum of 400 hours of work is required for the MPP and MURP degrees. Typically the internship is completed during the summer between the first and second years. However, internships may be done at any point before the end of the program. The requirement may be waived for individuals with substantial relevant work experience.

For information on all internship forms and procedures plus a list of frequently asked questions, go to http://www.hhh.umn.edu/career/internships.htm. The required forms are the internship agreement form, completed at the beginning of the internship, and the student and supervisor evaluation forms at the end of the internship.

Initiating internships

Securing an internship is the student's responsibility. However, students are encouraged to make use of the counsel and connections of Institute faculty and the director of Career Services.

1. Internships (paid or unpaid) should involve professional level work in positions related to students' public affairs training and career interests. The internship must involve at least 400 hours of work.
2. Students and employers should negotiate an internship agreement specifying projects, outcomes and intern responsibilities; the experience should meet both student and agency needs and the standards of the Institute.
3. The memorandum of agreement, signed by both student and employer, is returned to the director of Career Services for review and approval and the signature of the director.
4. At the end of the internship, the student and employer each complete an evaluation. While positive evaluations are the norm, negative evaluations can result for a variety of reasons and do not require a repetition of the internship unless the student failed to complete 400 hours. All evaluations of the student are confidential and may only be viewed by the individual student, the faculty advisor and GPO staff.

Waiving the internship

Students with at least one year of professional-level experience that is related to their academic program and to their career goals may apply for a waiver of the internship. The form is available on line at http://www.hhh.umn.edu/career/internships.htm and in Room 225. Waiver requests require the signature of the student's academic advisor before they go to the director of Career Services for review and decision.

Internship resources

Career Services provides information on internship opportunities, along with assistance on resumes, cover letters and networking. Printed materials include the following:

1. Announcements of internship opportunities are posted in the Career Services Resource Center in Room 225. They are also posted on the Career Services website at http://www.hhh.umn.edu/career
2. A file of relevant agencies and organizations is located in the Career Services Resources Center (Room 225), along with directories and newsletters, which help students identify possible internship organizations. Career Services also keeps copies of past student internship evaluations in the Resources Center.
3. Job fairs and on-campus interviews and information sessions link students with possible internship sites. Watch for Career Services announcements of opportunities.

Phone: 612-624-3800
E-mail: hhhss@umn.edu

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