Summer Internships
All MPA candidates must complete an approved summer internship between the first and second years of study. Examples of organizations that have supported MPA summer interns include:
Profile of MPA Summer Internships
(Average of enrolled students between 2019 to 2024; numbers rounded to the nearest percent.)
58% –– Nonprofit/NGO/Foundation Sector
36% –– Public Sector
4% –– Private Sector
1% –– Unspecified
Part-time Academic Year Internships
Part-time academic year internships focus on state, local, and international issues. Students work for a public affairs organization devoting the equivalent of one day per week to a specific policy issue.

Student Internships
Ariza Francisco MPA '23 interned this summer at UNICEF South Africa! Her in-depth analysis and recommendations were ultimately presented to the country’s highest health advisory committee, providing input to strengthen the country’s immunization program.
Learn more about Ariza's experience and our hands-on internships in Global Health through SPIA's Center for Health and Wellbeing!