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Internship Requirements

Internship Process

Students are responsible for finding internships with government or nonprofit agencies. Students are not permitted to intern with law firms or political campaigns. Students can contact the SGPP Internship Coordinator for internship approval. 

 Please review the information below to familiarize yourself with the internship process. 

Contact SGPP Internship Coordinator Laureana Benitez with questions (laureana@arizona.edu). 

MPA Students: Please refer to the MPA Internship Manual found in the program D2L page for the correct procedure on PA 593 enrollment.

Requirements by Major

  • Criminal Justice (CJS) INTERNSHIP REQUIRED: 3 units (PA 493): 120 on-site internship hours & 15 hours of coursework
  • Public Affairs (PAF) INTERNSHIP REQUIRED : 3 units (PA 393): 120 on-site internship hours & 15 hours of coursework
  • CJS & PAF Double Majors: Complete internships for each major.
  • Political Science (POL): Internships can be applied towards upper-division elective credit (POL 393), with 40 hours of internship work and 5 hours of coursework required per credit.
  • BA Law Majors: Enroll through the B.A. in Law office. https://law.arizona.edu/academics/degrees/bachelor-arts-law/internships

Internship Timing

  • Summer Internships: Search from January to March; Work plans due by June 4.
  • Fall Internships: Search from February to June; Work plans due by August 31.
  • Spring Internships: Search from September to November; Work plans due by January 11.

Internship Application Deadline

Spring 2027

Students must have internships secured by January 8. Students who apply for internships after January 8 may not be eligible to receive spring 2027 internship credit. 

  • Internship Dates:  January 13 - May 6
  • Suggested Deadline to Enroll: January 13
  • Extended/Final Deadline to Enroll: January 20
    Please note that the SGPP Internship Coordinator cannot process enrollment after January 20. 
    → If you receive financial aid, it's recommended to submit your work plan by January 13 to ensure you are enrolled in the required number of credits for your aid to be processed and applied to your Bursar Account
  • No credit for hours worked before January 13 or after May 6
  • Note: Work plans submitted after January 20 will not be processed, and late exceptions will not be considered. Internship hours must be earned within the designated session dates.
  • Law Majors: Review the BA Law Internship Website

Internship Steps

  1. Familiarize yourself with internship requirements before contacting organizations.
  2. Begin your search 3-6 months in advance.
  3. Draft and edit your application materials.
  4. Apply and complete the internship hiring and onboarding process.
  5. Submit work plan after receiving an offer.
  6. Confirm enrollment in UAccess.
  7. Complete course assignments via D2L.

Internship Waiver

Veterans, ROTC students, or students working full-time with relevant experience may be eligible for a waiver. See details below.

Internship Waiver Criteria

Criminal Justice Studies and  Public Affairs (formerly titled Public Management & Policy) majors may request to waive their 3 credit internship requirement and replace it with a 3 credit upper division class in their major if the following criteria apply:

  • The student is currently working 30 + hours/week in a professional capacity at a professional organization.  The job is ongoing and permanent (not a summer job), and the student has worked at least six months at the job.
  • The student can provide proof of working previously in a full-time professional position at a public sector organization clearly related to the student’s major for at least six months.
  • The student is active duty military and works in a role related to their major.
  • The student is a veteran and served four years active duty in a role related to their major.
  • The student is a ROTC student and recently completed leadership training.
  • The job description shows clear relevance to the student’s major.

Contact Laureana Benitez, laureana@arizona.edu, the SGPP Internship Coordinator for more information. 

International Students

Must get Curricular Practical Training (CPT) approval from International Student Services before starting internships. Employment: Curricular Practical Training.

Questions

Review the Frequently Asked Questions page 

Contact SGPP Coordinator Laureana Benitez  (laureana@arizona.edu)