They allow students dynamic professional forums in which to apply the analytical and managerial knowledge they acquire in the master's program. In addition to providing a venue for professional learning that complements academic learning, internships afford practical professional experience and valuable networking opportunities that benefit students as they seek to enter full-time permanent employment after graduation. The school's director of career services plays an active role in maintaining and expanding a strong internship placement network. The director serves as the primary liaison to Evans School alumni and numerous public and nonprofit agencies, many of which hire M.P.A. interns on a regular basis. While such relationships yield a substantial pool of annual internship opportunities, it is ultimately up to each student to locate and secure an internship that is relevant and challenging.
Many students find their own internships by tapping their professional contacts and interests.
The flexibility of the school's academic program enables students and employers to tailor internships to fit individual and agency needs. Evans School interns assist public, nonprofit, and private sector employers with report-writing, research, quantitative analysis, program evaluation, and administrative tasks. Prior to the start of each internship, students work with their supervisors to develop an internship contract that describes job responsibilities, the student's professional objectives, and the organization's expectations. The length of employment, hours, amount of pay, and other terms of the internship vary and are negotiated by students and their internship employers.