Routinely offered: This course is offered every semester.
Provides students with opportunities for learning and working in organizations that integrate knowledge and theory learned in the classroom with practical application and skills development in a professional setting. Students will gain valuable applied experience and make professional connections in the field of public policy, apply concepts and practice problem solving-skills learned during the Certificate in Public Policy and Certificate in Health Policy experience, build a network of contacts, and explore possible career choices. Engage with a wide range of people about their jobs, views, backgrounds, and experiences. Encourages students engage in active reflection on this experience and self-assessment through written assignments, reflections, and readings to help students make the most of their internships. PA 327 is offered all semesters, including summer, and is a remote/asynchronous course. Please do not email the instructor for approval to add this course. You must follow steps 1-7 listed below.
Requirements to enroll
Students who wish to enroll in the course and receive credit for an internship must:
- Search for internships & get approval before you apply
- Pre-approved internship opportunities can be found on the La Follette School Career Hub, but you are not limited to these
- If you find your own internship, you are strongly encouraged to check with the Career Director before applying to ensure the internship will be accepted for credit
- If you are not yet a declared La Follette student, please view enrollment information here
- Apply for internships
- Accept an internship offer
- Fill out the PA 327 Internship Agreement Google Form The system will automatically email you a copy of your responses
- Get the form approved by your internship site supervisor
- Email the Google form you just received to your site supervisor and ask them to return the form directly to the Director of Career and Employer Services with their statement of approval at the top of the email (they do not need to edit the form itself, just comment at the top of the email that they approve or mentioning any corrections they want noted)
- If your supervisor returns the form only to you, please email the completed Google form including their statement of approval to the Director of Career Services
- Once received the Career Director will review the form and, if approved, will give the student permission to enroll in the course. NOTE: PA 327 must be taken concurrently with your internship in order to earn credit towards the certificate. It may not be taken retroactively
- Enroll through the Student Center by the add deadline
- At the end of the course, all students will complete a summary of the internship experience (see La Follette Internship Summary) to be posted anonymously to the Career Hub
- PA 327 satisfies the internship & fieldwork component of the Certificate in Public Policy. and the Certificate in Health Policy. PA 327 is a remote/asynchronous course offered during the fall, spring, and summer terms.
Alternative ways to fulfil the internship & fieldwork requirement
- Certificate in Public Policy students may also satisfy the internship & fieldwork component by taking Political Science 315: Legislative Internship which is offered throughout the academic year. If you plan to take Political Science 315 and want to ensure your internship course will count for the course, please follow the instructions at the bottom of this page. You may also meet the requirement by participating in the Wisconsin in Washington program.
- Certificate in Health Policy students may also earn internship credit through the Wisconsin in Washington program.
There are other academic options as well (such as PA 360/369) but these are not available every semester. Contact your academic advisor to inquire.
Summer Internship Support
Students interested in applying for summer internship funding are encouraged to visit our La Follette School Career Hub for detailed eligibility requirements and application instructions.