UPA 404 Internship 

Urban & Public Affairs Internship: Overview

• For UPA students who started PSU prior to Fall 2024, a 4-credit internship is still required unless you speak with your academic advisor about switching officially to the 2024-25 "catalog year." This switch can have implications for how long it takes you to graduate so be sure you understand how making this change will impact you. 

PURPOSE

The UPA 404 Internship course is designed to provide experiential and practical learning related to the multidisciplinary subject areas within the Urban and Public Affairs major. The internship offers real-world immersion into public and non-profit organizations with missions that align with your academic coursework and skill development.  UPA internships provide an opportunity to provide direct service and support to the populations and environments that are of particular interest to students. In many cases this internship experience helps UPA students to explore, clarify and/or advance their individual career interests.

Setting Up an Internship for UPA 404

Step 1: Schedule An Initial Appointment

The first step is to schedule an appointment to meet (virtually or in-person) with the UPA Program Director, Professor Cathy LaTourette.  The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the requirements for a UPA internship and obtain some tips on how to find an appropriate internship.  Be sure to do this at least two-three months before the term begins.

• Schedule your initial appointment by emailing Professor LaTourette at UPA@pdx.edu  

Step 2: Contact Organizations to Set-Up Your Internship

It is your responsibility to find and arrange for your own internship experience.  There are numerous ways to explore internship opportunities, if you need help. Here are some suggestions:

• You may schedule an appointment with the PSU Career Center. The university career experts help students find resources that can aid in setting-up an internship. Link to University Career Center  

• Open an account and login to Handshake—the University’s job search platform for job and internship openings. Your Odin account is all you need. https://portlandstate.joinhandshake.com/login  

• Getting ideas and referrals from course instructors may also be helpful.  It is also helpful to network with family, friends, and other students to gain introductions to people who work in organizations that are relevant to your field of study and career interests.

Required Internship Hours 

To complete the 4-credit UPA 404 Internship courses, students must log a minimum of 80 internship hours with the sponsoring organization.  (This is in addition to assigned coursework that you will complete for the academic portion of your UPA 404 course.  UPA 404 is scheduled as an online class that you will complete within Canvas.)

You must complete all the internship hours and academic work within the official dates of the term for which you are registered.  

• You cannot count internship hours you may have completed before the term begins. 

• Continuing your internship hours/course work after the term is concluded is only allowed in situations that comply with the university's Incomplete policy.

Step 3: Get Permission to Register for the UPA 404 Internship Course  

Only students who have already set up an approved internship will be granted permission to register for UPA 404.  Once you have arranged an acceptable internship (Step 2), contact the UPA Program Director to discuss your plan and obtain approval to register for UPA 404.  

• Be sure to allow yourself at least three weeks prior to the start of the term to seek approval from the UPA Program Director.  

• Once approved, the UPA Program Director will grant you departmental permission to register and you can proceed to sign up for the UPA 404 course for the upcoming term.

• BE ADVISED: The UPA 404 course operates on the same schedule as other PSU courses. Course requirements and activities begin on Day 1 of the term. The add/drop period for registration applies and late registrations beyond that period will not be approved.

Step 4: Take Full Advantage of Your Internship Experience!

Many UPA students find their internship to be a very rewarding experience that provided them a range of benefits beyond just college credit.  UPA students have been offered paying jobs and obtained glowing professional references, not to mention invaluable career-building connections.  This is a great opportunity for you to both learn in a practical setting and advance your professional goals.  Be sure to take full advantage of the opportunity!  

Have More Questions?

Contact the Urban & Public Affairs program at UPA@pdx.edu.