In most of the Master of Public Administration/Affairs (MPA) programs in the United States, an internship or work experience is a key component of the curriculum. A 2014 inventory of MPA curricula indicated that 77% of domestic programs accredited by NASPAA require an internship of pre-service students. This paper assesses the current state of the relationship between the internship and classroom experiences in MPA programs and the use of the internship as an academic exercise. We focus specifically on (a) the value of internships in the MPA curriculum, (b) the timing and function of internships, (c) the diversity of student needs in internship experiences, (d) internship models and the relationship between the internship and the MPA curriculum, and (e) the internship course. We conclude by addressing the growing concerns of intern pay and online MPA programs.
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