Students without significant public sector or nonprofit work experience are required to complete an internship as a part of their program of study at the Truman School. Students are expected to complete an internship of about 360 hours (12 weeks). Public Affairs 8280 is designated to provide three hours of academic credit for the placement experience. The internship requirement is typically met during the summer but may be met through part time placements during the academic year, subject to approval by the Internship Program Administrator, Dr. Charles Sampson. Students with significant public sector or nonprofit work experience may request exemption from the internship requirement. Application for the exemption must be approved by the program administrator.
Each placement is intended to facilitate self-directed learning, and may become an invaluable first step toward a public service career. The best experiences go well beyond resume building. They facilitate professional and interpersonal experiences, opportunities for networking, and learning.