Internships are supervised work experiences that integrate the PPPM curriculum with applied learning and include the following components:
Exploration of career interests related to the PPPM curriculum.
Opportunities to apply academic learning, learn new skills, and network with professionals.
Meaningful tasks and responsibilities that support a student's learning goals.
Internships may be paid or unpaid. Internship sites may be in the public, nonprofit, or private sectors and should be selected based on the academic preparation of the student. Internships are not jobs. An internship is not membership on a board, commission, or other public advisory council. Study abroad or other classroom training are not eligible for internship credit.
Planning is the key to maximizing the benefits of an internship. Students are encouraged to research a range of potential opportunities and identify specific internships that best match their career interests. With assistance from the Internship Director and Internship GTF students develop individualized learning goals. In collaboration with the site supervisor, students outline tasks and responsibilities that support their learning goals.
PPPM 419 CPW can be taken to fulfill internship credit. Students must also enroll in 2 credits of PPPM 404 Internship.
MPA students who begin the MPA program in Fall 2008 and thereafter:
Internships (credit and noncredit) are highly recommended for all MPA students. The ideal is a full-time summer internship or 300 hours of internship completed in more than one term.
Students with less than 2 years of relevant professional experience must take a minimum of 3 credits* of PPPM 604 Internship. In addition, students must take PPPM 608 Internship and Professional Development, a 1-credit course, to prepare for their internships.
Students may enroll in 1-10 credits of PPPM 604 Internship. Credits beyond the requirement count as concentration credits (maximum of 10 credits). Students may also complete noncredit internships.
PPPM 608 CPW may be taken to fulfill internship credits. Students are strongly recommended to complete an internship in addition to CPW.
Students who have been in the RARE program may apply 3 RARE credits toward the internship requirement and 6 credits toward their concentration.
Students with 2 or more years of relevant professional experience are not required to take PPPM 604 Internship, but internships (credit or noncredit) are highly recommended. In lieu of the internship, 3 credits of elective courses should be taken.
MPA students who began the MPA program prior to Fall 2008:
10-12 credits* of PPPM 604 Internship.
PPPM 608 CPW may be taken to fulfill internship credits.
Students who have been RARE participants may apply PPPM 604 Internship CSC as internship credits.
If a student has 5 or more years of related professional experience, the internship requirement may be waived. In lieu of the internship, 10 credits of courses can be taken. Students should consult with their faculty advisor about a waiver.
MCRP Students:
PPPM 604 Internship is not required, but may be taken as elective credit.
Nonprofit Management Certificate Students:
6 credits* of PPPM 604 Internship and 4 elective credits or 10 credits of nonprofit-related elective courses.
Students who have no significant work experience in the nonprofit sector are required to take 6 credits of PPPM 604 Internship. Contact Professor Renee Irvin to discuss credit requirement.
* 1 credit of PPPM 404/604 = 3 hours of internship/week during the course of a 10-week term. 12 credits = 360 total hours of internship during the course of a 10-week term. Internship credits may be completed over multiple terms.
Step 1: Meet with the Internship Director or Internship GTF
By the fifth week of the term prior to the start of the internship, graduate students should meet with the Internship Director and undergraduate students should meet with the Internship GTF to discuss career interests, learning goals, and possible internship sites. During the summer, all students should contact the Internship Director.
Rhonda Smith
Internship Director
121A Hendricks Hall rhonda@uoregon.edu
Office hours: Tuesday 1:30-3:00 pm, Thursday 9:30-11:00 am, and by appointment
Emily Brown
Internship GTF
121B Hendricks Hall interns@uoregon.edu
Fall 2009 office hours: To be determined
Step 2: Research and Identify an Internship
There are many ways to research and identify an internship that will meet your career interests and learning goals:
Use various Internet search strategies to identify organizations engaged in your interests.
Step 3: Obtain Pre-authorization for PPPM 404/604 Internship
The Internship Director or Internship GTF must approve your preliminary learning goals and internship site. The form is due no later than the Friday of the tenth week of the term (Friday before finals).
After approval of your internship, the Internship Director or Internship GTF will e-mail the pre-authorization form to you for completion.
Print a copy of the completed form and place it in the mailbox of the Internship Director or Internship GTF.
The Internship Director or Internship GTF will notify you when you have been pre-authorized.
Step 4: Register for PPPM 404/604 Internship
You will need to change the variable credit hours to reflect the number you have stated on your pre-authorization form. Credits are based on the number of internship hours projected per week (1 credit of PPPM 404/604 = 3 hours of internship/week during the course of a 10-week term). The course syllabus and assignments are available on Blackboard. Assignments include the PPPM Internship Agreement, midterm assignment, and final assignment. The course is graded pass/no pass.
