The Master of Science in Public Policy requires the completion of a policy-relevant experience in a private, not-for-profit, or government setting. Each student is expected to obtain “real world” experience with public policy. There are four ways to do this, as articulated in the SPP Student Handbook. Each student is responsible for submitting the form, with the appropriate approval signatures, to the Internship or Graduate Coordinator.

• Graduate Co-Op Program Option
  See handbook and talk to your advisor

• Summer Internship Option
  It is the student’s responsibility to obtain a non-credit summer internship. Resources to consult are:
• Previous Work Experience
  If you think you are eligible to waive the internship requirement, you need to document policy-relevant professional work experience. Provide a copy of your resume, and a one-page description of your relevant experience to the Internship Coordinator. The waiver application will then be forwarded to the Director of the MSPP graduate program for approval. Appeals should be directed to the Faculty Graduate Committee. Do this early in your Master’s program: many students’ waivers have been denied.

• Practicum-oriented thesis or research paper
  The Public Policy Workshop as described in the SPP Student Handbook qualifies. In addition, a Professional Research Paper or Thesis that addresses the needs of a named policy client or audience may qualify for the internship requirement. This option should be approved by the Internship Coordinator and the student’s project advisor.

Finding a Public Policy Internship

• Be sure that you are on the Public Policy list serve. The undergraduate list serve is: pubpol-undergrad@lists.gatech.edu

• Many internship announcements are sent to the list serve by faculty, students, and alumni.

• Familiarize yourself with the resources at the Career Center (Student Success Center): http://www.career.gatech.edu/
  The Ivan Allen College Specialist is:
  Marie Sewell
  Phone: 404-894-0062
  Email: marie.sewell@success.gatech.edu
  In particular, check out internships on the MonsterTrak system.

• Surf the web; there are a lot of internship resources available there.
  You should also check out the following: UGA Internship site: http://career.uga.edu/STUDENTS/internshipbasics.html

• Talk to your friends and classmates about their internship experiences.

Examples of Internship Placements

• State
  Georgia Department of Education
  Georgia Governor’s Intern Program
  Georgia Governor’s Office of Consumer Affairs
  Georgia Legislative Intern Program

• Federal
  Agency for Health Care Research
  House of Representatives Committee on House Administration
  Office of Civil Rights

• Political
  Cain for US Senate Campaign
  Congressman John Lewis, District Office
  The Oblander Group, L.L.C.

• Private
  Troutman Sanders
  Brasher, Campbell & Honnold, L.L.C.

• Non Profit
  American Civil Liberties Union
  Atlanta Youth Project
  Green Corps
  Natural Resources Defense Council