Embedded Files
Internship Requirements
Internship Requirements
Who: Internships are required for all students in the MPP, MURP, and MHR programs as part of their program.
What: This internship must be a minimum of 200 hours, primarily professional-level work, and related to the student's academic focus and career goals. This can be one or two internship experiences as long as all experiences meet the criteria.
When: Typically, the majority of students complete this internship during the summer between first and second year, but it can be done any time before graduation. Students can also do this concurrently with their coursework. Students should begin searching for an internship early in their career.
Where: There are a variety of organizations that would fulfill the internship requirements. Please see the section on finding an internship to see more information about how to find internships. Please note, most of the time Graduate Assistantships (RA or TA) do not count towards internships. There are a few exceptions such as assistantships through CURA or other policy/planning experiences.
Internship Waiver*
Internship Waiver*
Students that can document substantial professional experience in their career field of interest may petition to waive the program's internship requirement during their first semester. This work must have occurred prior to their enrollment at Humphrey. Some appropriate examples of substantial professional experience include:
Full-time work experience, with the same organization or employer, that is one continuous year or more in duration.
Internship or part-time work experience, with the same organization or employer, that is two continuous years or more in duration.
During the waiver process, students will be required to submit paperwork describing their professional experience and how it relates to your academic and career goals, obtain the signature of their academic advisor or DGS, attach an updated resume or CV, and submit to Career and Student Services for review and approval. Please reach out to hhhcss@umn.edu for a link to the internship waiver process.
*The internship waiver process is just to waive the internship for work completed prior to entering Humphrey. If students begin work that meets the internship criteria after their matriculation into Humphrey, this is not a waiver, but instead should be counted as an internship*
Use this link for resources to explore options, find internships, and the process for registering and evaluating the internship.
Some internships are funded, but others only provide experience. Use this link for more information about funding the internship.
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