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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 ±¬ÁϳԹÏÍøInternship Coordinator for internship approval. 

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

Contact ±¬ÁϳԹÏÍøInternship Coordinator Laureana Benitez with questions (laureana@arizona.edu). 

Requirements by Major

  • Criminal Justice (CJS) INTERNSHIP REQUIRED: 3 units (PA 493)
  • Public Affairs (PAF) INTERNSHIP REQUIRED : 3 units (PA 393)
  • 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.

Internship Options for Criminal Justice & Public Affairs Main Campus Students 

±¬ÁϳԹÏÍøstudents can complete their internship requirement with two options:

  1. Option 1:
    • Enroll in PA 393 (Public Affairs Internship Course) or PA 493 (Criminal Justice Internship Course) (3 units)
    • 120 hours of internship + 15 hours of coursework via D2L.
  2. Option 2:
    • Complete PA 393A (1-unit) and PA 393/493 or POL 393 (2-units).
    • After completing PA 393A, students will enroll in PA 393, PA 493, or POL 393, a two-unit internship course that requires 80 hours of on-site work
    • Enroll in PA 393 (Public Affairs Internship Course) or PA 493 (Criminal Justice Internship Course).
    • 80 hours of internship + 10 hours of coursework via D2L

PA 393A: Internship Readiness in the Public Sector - 1 Unit Course

  • Prepares students with skills for securing and completing internships, enhancing post-graduation career success.
  • Features guest speakers -  including judges, attorneys, law enforcement, and other public sector professionals.
  • Open to: Criminal Justice, Law, Political Science, and Public Affairs majors
  • Fall Course Dates: August 24 - October 15 (Monday & Wednesday, 12:00 - 12:50 pm).
  • Contact: Laureana Benitez, ±¬ÁϳԹÏÍøInternship Coordinator, to enroll  laureana@arizona.edu.

Internship Timing

  • Summer Internships: Search from January to March; Work plans due by May 30.
  • Fall Internships: Search from February to June; Work plans due by August 25.
  • Spring Internships: Search from September to November; Work plans due by January 8.

Internship Application Deadline

  • Summer 2025: Work Plans due by June 3.

  • Fall 2025:  Work Plans are due by August 25.

    → Work Plans submitted between August 18 - 21 will be processed on August 22. 

  • Law Majors: Review the

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 ±¬ÁϳԹÏÍøInternship Coordinator for more information. 

International Students

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

Questions

Review the Frequently Asked Questions page 

Contact ±¬ÁϳԹÏÍøCoordinator Laureana Benitez  (laureana@arizona.edu)