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 1-6 listed below.
Requirements to enroll
Students who wish to enroll in the course and receive credit for an internship must:
- Search for internships
- Many internship opportunities can be found on the La Follette School website but you are not limited to these
- Students who have been accepted into either certificate also have access to the “Purple Sheet” of internships which are curated specifically for La Follette students. If you are not yet a declared La Follette student, please contact the Director of Career and Employer Services to be granted access
- Get approval of the internship you are considering before you apply
- All internships on the Purple Sheet (except as noted) meet the requirements for a quality policy internship and do not require pre-approval
- If you find an internship on your own, please email the Director of Career and Employer Services before applying to ensure that it will qualify for credit
- Apply for internships
- Accept an internship offer
- Fill out the PA 327 Internship Agreement Google Form
- Get the form approved by your internship site supervisor
- Email the completed Google form 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
- 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 (or an alternative listed below) 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 school’s website
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.
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, or by participating in the Wisconsin in Washington program. 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.
Certificate in Health Policy students may also earn internship credit through the Wisconsin in Washington program. There are other academic options as well but these are not available every semester. Contact your academic advisor to inquire.
Instructors
Recent Syllabi
Syllabus Spring 2025
Syllabus Fall 2024
Internship Support
The LFS Public Policy Internship Scholarship provides financial support to students who sign up to take Public Affairs 327: Administrative Internship along with a policy-related summer internship (if you are unsure if your internship qualifies, please contact the Career Services Director). The scholarship is intended cover tuition for taking PA 327 whether you are in-state, out of state, or international. The availability of and demand for funds vary each year; thus, the number awards may also vary. Students do not have to have an accepted internship at the time they apply, however you should not accept an internship with the expectation of receiving a scholarship. Note that you must enroll concurrently in PA 327 to be considered for a scholarship. No other courses may be substituted. To apply please watch your email for the announcement (opens every March/April).