Georgia Institute of Technology | Ivan Allen CollegeSchool of Public Policy
Former graduates working in governmentMaster of Science in Public Policy






MSPP Internship Requirements

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 (from LaTissia Caldwell), with the appropriate approval signatures, to the Internship or Graduate Coordinator.

  1. Graduate Co-Op Program Option
    See handbook and talk to your advisor
  2. Summer Internship Option
    It is the student’s responsibility to obtain a non-credit summer internship. Resources to consult are:
  3. 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

  1. Be sure that you are on the Public Policy list serve. The undergraduate list serve is: mailto:pubpol-undergrad@lists.gatech.edu
    Many internship announcements are sent to the list serve by faculty, students, and alumni.
  2. 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.
  3. Surf the web; there are a lot of internship resources available there.
    You should also check out the following: UGA Internship site: http://career.cpp.uga.edu/ccweb/students/internshipbasics.html
  4. 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