Some concentration areas developed by recent graduates include public management, human resources management, public finance, applied research and program evaluation, environmental policy, city management, international development, and nonprofit management. Students may develop other concentration areas with assistance from their adviser. Supervised Field Internship One unique aspect of the public policy and management program is the field internship. Working with the internship director, each student is placed in an internship that introduces how to aspects of positions in the chosen field. During the internship, the student tests classroom theory and develops contacts that can lead to securing a position after graduation.
Internships are an integral part of the public policy and management program.
Therefore, even students who are working in their chosen field and those with experience are encouraged to participate in an internship selected with the internship director. Interns earn 3-12 credits in PPPM 604 Internship each term. A written paper is required as is a supervisor's evaluation, a contract, and two class meetings. A student who has not had two or more years of experience in a career must complete 12 credits of internship. A student who has had two or more years of relevant career experience or who is working in the desired area of public policy and management can waive the internship with the approval of the student's adviser, the program director, and the internship director.