MPPPA internships
We host information sessions every fall and winter term. All program students receive invitations to attend and find out more about the internship.
What is an internship
An internship is an experiential learning exercise where a student spends several weeks working under supervision to get experience in their chosen profession. The MPPPA internships take place over 16 consecutive weeks, are relevant, paid, full-time and conducted in the employer’s workplace (hybrid models included).
Students who follow the MPPPA internship option complete 21 credits of their degree in the workplace. These credits come from:
- POLI 686 (3 cr.) Internship Preparation
- POLI 688 (9 cr.) Internship
- POLI 689 (9 cr.) Internship Paper
How to apply for the internship option
All graduate students accepted into the MPPPA program are admitted to Option A Courses-only. Midway through their degree program, they may apply to transfer to Option B Internship.
Eligibility requirements
- 3.3 minimum cumulative GPA;
- A minimum of 5 courses completed towards the MPPPA program at the time of application (all 8 courses in the program must be completed before the internship term);
- Successful completion of the French language profficiency test;
- Students must be registered full-time in the term preceding their internship.
Citizenship requirements
Students who secure internships with the government must be Canadian citizens or (in some cases) Permanent Residents. International students can be considered in the NGO, non-profit, and private sectors.
Finding an internship
A Call for Interns is sent out by email every term to all students registered in the program.
Important:
- Students may not contact employers directly; all communications are through the Internship Coordinator.
- Students may not seek work on their own without permission; doing so would create a conflict of interest with the program.
- Students are responsible for successfully completing the required courses prior to the internship term.
Most internships are located in Ottawa. Students often work in:
- Federal, provincial, and municipal governments
- Non-governmental organizations (NGO)
- Inter-Governmental Organizations (IGO, like the UN, ICC, WHO)
- Associations, centers, institutes, think tanks and unions/federations
- Crown Corporations
- Private Corporations
- Consulates and embassies
- Non-profit organizations
Employers who have hired MPPPA interns in the past few years:
- Transport Canada
- Global Affairs Canada
- Environment and Climate Change Canada
- Health Canada
- International Bureau for Children’s Rights
- Infrastructure Canada
- Privy Council Office
- Elections Canada
- Employment & Social Development Canada
- Shared Services Canada
- Indigenous Services Canada
- Innovation, Science & Economic Development Canada
- CAE Inc.
Other questions
Students must apply to positions posted through the program. Some may be from abroad.
Note: The job application process occurs the semester preceding the internship, and that may leave little time for an employer or a student to organize an internship overseas. Students may contact the Coordinator to discuss this.
Most students secure positions that enable them to further develop their skills in research and analysis. Some typical titles/positions define the work as Junior Policy Analyst or Audit and Evaluation Intern.
Note: All internship positions are reviewed by the program before posting to ensure that they are relevant and at the appropriate academic level to promote learning and development. Performance evaluations are conducted.
Although we can boast that we have placed 100% of our students since 2005 – we do not guarantee a placement. The market fluctuates depending on the economy. The availability of internships and the competition for each, play a key role in defining placement success every semester.
All academic requirements are provided to the intern by the MPPPA Director at the time they enter Option B.
A meeting is scheduled by the Director midway through the internship for all students to begin the discussion on what they will choose as their paper topic, and academic supervisors are assigned. Essentially, the student intern can expect to prepare a proposal midway through the first four months of work. Thereafter, a paper will be requested by the end of the second four months (during the renewal period if awarded one).
Once the paper has been approved by the supervisor, revisions are requested, and/or an approval is granted. The academic requirements of your internship will be met upon the successful completion of each stage.
Contact us
Learn more about what you can get out of this great opportunity. Our Internship Coordinator, Eve Pankovitch, will be pleased to answer your questions.
Please make an appointment
Tel. 514-848-2424 ext. 2114
Email: polisci.internship@concordia.ca
