Georgia Institute of TechnologyIvan Allen CollegeSchool of Public Policy
Students working in governmentUndergraduate Studies in Public Policy






LawInternships and Undergraduate Research

In addition to their coursework, policy students develop their professional skills through internships and undergraduate research experiences. For policy majors, at least one internship (for credit or for pay) is required. These internships require a faculty sponsor and must be approved in advance by the internship coordinator (Prof. Cheryl Leggon). Students can download the appropriate forms at this site.

Many students participate in more than one internship during their four years. A very wide range of internships are available to BSPP students, with government agencies, not-for-profit organizations, and in the private sector. Many are part-time and paid; some are full-time for a semester or summer; others are unpaid but can be taken for course credit under the guidance of a faculty member. Students may search for relevant internships at the Ivan Allen College's "Ivan" database, but many students have found excellent opportunities through their faculty mentors. Examples of recent internships include:

Georgia General Assembly
Former Chief Justice William Rehnquist
US Commission on Civil Rights
Consulate of Israel
GTRI Office of Policy Analysis and Research
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
US Environmental Protection Agency
Georgia Brain and Spinal Injury Trust Fund
Michelin Tire (environmental policy)
British Trade and Investment Office
Governor’s Office of Consumer Affairs
Georgia Board of Regents
Law firms
Clean Air Campaign
Georgia Department of Economic Development

For more information on the Georgia Legislature Intern Program, click here.

Undergraduate policy majors are also encouraged to engage in research. Many students propose independent research projects based on their personal or professional interests, while others work with professors on their research projects. In some cases, students can receive a stipend; other students prefer to receive academic credit. In recent years, undergraduate research topics have included:

- parents’ decision-making on children’s health issues
- young adults’ attitudes toward religion and science
- coalition strategies in social movements
- analysis of the tri-state (GA, AL, FL) water conflict
- impacts of world summits on the information society
- patterns of homelessness in Atlanta
- modeling variability of exposures and asthma responses
- impacts of community information infrastructures on economic development