PA 796: Internship in Public Administration
Course Syllabus: SPRING 2015
Instructor:
Office:
Office Hours:
Phone:
Patricia A. Frosio
Professional Studies and Fine Arts (PSFA) 164
Mondays and Wednesdays: Noon – 4:30 pm;
Tuesdays and Thursdays: 8:00 am - 1:45 pm; 3:30 – 6:30 pm
(619) 594-5576 E-mail: pfrosio@mail.sdsu.edu
MPA Internship Requirement:
The internship course is the cornerstone of the graduate student’s experience in public administration. A public service
internship is essential for a student’s ability to practically apply classroom theory and successfully achieve employment
in the public or non-profit sector following graduation. It is for this reason that all MPA students are required to register
for and complete 12 units of PA 796, which includes a minimum of 480 hours of internship experience. Students who
have had considerable experience in the public sector, or who are currently working in the public sector, may be
permitted to waive some or all of the internship requirements. Please see the School of Public Affairs’ website for
information on the Internship Waiver Request process.
PA 796 Course Overview:
This course provides MPA students with practical experience in the field of public administration. Students are typically
placed with an executive in a government or non-profit agency and will perform duties including research, data
collection and analysis, drafting agency policies, project management, public outreach, event planning and grant writing.
Students also focus on their professional development so they are better prepared for a career in this competitive field
after graduation. Students work under the joint supervision of the Course Instructor and agency site supervisor.
Prerequisites:
Students are permitted to enroll in this course if they have: 1) Passed the MPA Screening exam; 2) Completed preenrollment requirement requirements including attendance at one of the orientations, adherence to all protocols while
applying for internships including timely notification to the instructor during each step to secure one of the designated
positions; and 3) Consent of instructor.
Credit Hours Per Internship (Service) Hours:
120 hours = 3 units; 240 hours = 6 units; 360 hours = 9 units; 480 hours = 12 units.
Course Requirements and Grading:
Each student will receive a final grade in the course of CR or NC. The student’s final grade in the course will be based on
the conditions specified in the student’s Special Study Authorization Contract which will include writing assignments,
attendance at meetings and outstanding workplace performance as determined by the student’s on-site supervisor.
Learning Objectives:
The objectives of this course are to:
1) Give students practical experience in the field of public administration;
2) Enhance students’ understanding of the particular office/organization they are working in;
3) Provide students with additional professional contacts and networking opportunities in this field;
4) Apply theories and principles of public administration in a community-based setting;
5) Allow students to develop their leadership abilities in government or non-profit agencies;
6) Provide students with opportunities to observe and participate in ethical decision making in the public/nonprofit sector work environment;
7) Evaluate and compare the students’ experience and observations with scholarly literature; and
8) Enhance students’ self-awareness about the type of public service career they would like to pursue (or not
pursue) following completion of the MPA Program.
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Course Format:
This course is an independent study course where the student maintains contact (in person and via e-mail) with the
instructor according to the terms of the student’s Special Study Authorization Contract and submits writing assignments
via Bb. Students are also required to attend three mandatory meetings during the Spring semester. The first meeting
will consist of a workplace ethics and professionalism workshop while the second and third meetings will be a venue for
students to share their respective internship experiences with their colleagues and instructor and participate in a guided
discussion about their professional growth. Students are given a choice of two or three dates/times for each session:
PA 796 CLASS MEETINGS:
Meeting #1: Workplace Ethics and Professionalism Workshop
Option one: Wednesday, February 11, 5:00 – 6:30 pm (ARTN 412)
Option two: Friday, February 13, 8:30 – 10:00 am PSFA 310 (PSFA 310)
Option three: Friday, February 13, 5:00 – 6:30 pm (PSFA 300)
Meeting #2:
Option one: Wednesday, March 11, 3:00 – 4:00 pm (PSFA 160); Option two: Friday, March 13, 8:00 – 9:00 am (PSFA
160)
Meeting #3:
Option one: Wednesday, May 6, 3:00 – 4:00 pm (PSFA 160); Option two: Friday, May 8 8:00 – 9:00 am (PSFA 160)
Internship Course Process and Protocols:
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Each student meets with the instructor individually to discuss career goals and develop a plan to apply for one or
two pre-approved, competitive internship positions. Students are not permitted to independently obtain an
internship assignment or use a current job for credit in PA 796.
The student contacts the instructor once the student is invited to an interview, immediately afterwards to brief the
instructor on the interview and immediately once a conditional offer has been received. The student will turn in the
completed Intern Assignment Placement Report signed by the student’s supervisor as soon as possible.
The instructor will provide the student with a Special Study Authorization Contract. This contract solidifies
enrollment in the course and constitutes an agreement between a faculty member and student regarding projects
to be performed and assignments to be completed by the due dates.
The student will attend three mid-semester meetings (see above).
The student will complete four bi-weekly journals and three papers (see below).
The student will need to provide 120 service hours at the same agency in order to earn 3 units; 240 service hours
to earn 6 units; 360 to earn nine units and 480 to near 12 units toward graduation and complete the internship.
(NOTE: The number of units that the student seeks to earn must be figured out before the add/drop date. Students
may only earn the number of units for the course and section they are enrolled in even if they complete additional
hours. These hours must be completed by Wednesday, May 13 or the grade of NC will be earned for this course.
After a student accepts an internship position, he/she should not resign unless extraordinary circumstances exist
and this has been discussed with the instructor.
After the student completes the required number of service hours, the student will provide his/her internship
supervisor with the MPA Intern Evaluation. The student must hand deliver the form to the instructor any time after
the internship hours have been completed but no later than Wednesday, May 13, 4:30 pm in order to earn a
passing grade in the course.
Student Conduct:
Students working as interns through the PA 796 course are representing San Diego State University and their work
reflects upon the School of Public Affairs, the MPA Program, the instructor and fellow students. As a result, professional
conduct by students is required throughout the internship process. Breaches in ethical conduct at the internship site or
with the instructor can result in referrals to the Campus Student Rights and Responsibilities Office for disciplinary action.
Interns should respect the policies and work rules of the agencies for which they work, especially in regards to
confidential information and demonstrate extraordinary initiative, work ethic and performance.
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Required Reading:
The C Students Guide to Success by Ron Bliwas (available at the Campus Bookstore)
Supplemental articles posted on Bb.
Bi-Weekly Journals:
Beginning on February 23 and ending on April 13, each student will submit four (4) journal entries (dates are listed
under the journal assignments on Blackboard) about his/her internship experience during the reporting period in the
format described below. The purpose of these assignments is to keep in regular communication with the Instructor
about internship activities and assist the student to reflect on purposeful efforts to be extraordinary while completing
tasks at his/her host agency, develop skills employers are seeking in applicants and apply academic concepts to
observations in the workplace. Sections 3, 4 and 5 should each be a minimum six (6) sentences in length.
1) Number of hours worked this reporting period and total number of hours since the beginning of the internship.
2) Brief summary of duties performed.
3) Discussion of efforts made during this reporting period to demonstrate extraordinary work ethic and initiative in the
workplace (doing more than what was expected of you). Provide one or more specific examples to illustrate this
effort.
4) Discussion of specific efforts made this reporting period to focus on two of the following areas of professional
development in the workplace: Critical thinking, ethical decision making, good attitude, teamwork skills and/or
effective communication. As much as possible, the discussion should incorporate concepts from the first class
session (workplace ethics/professionalism workshop) and/or professional development areas you chose to work on
after completing the first writing assignment (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator). Provide specific examples to illustrate
these professional development efforts.
5) Analysis of at least one relevant academic theory or concept applied to an observation made or an assignment
completed at your internship during this reporting period. (i.e. theories and concepts learned in your public
administration courses).
NOTE #1: Students who turn in journal entries that only provide a description of tasks and observations will not
receive a passing grade in the course.
NOTE #2: The instructor will be providing individualized feedback on the journal entries, which may include
questions or information to provide in future entries. Please take the time to review the feedback after receiving
the Bb announcement that the entries have been reviewed.
Journal entries are due 11:59 pm on the Mondays listed on Bb (reflecting on the prior reporting period’s
experiences).
WRITING ASSIGNMENTS:
Each student is responsible for completing *three (3) writing assignments as follows:
Writing Assignment One (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator): Due Friday, February 13, 11:59
Go to the website: Human Metrics.com. Click on “Jung Typology Test” (left side of screen). Take the test and answer
questions thoughtfully as this exercise is only meaningful if you invest time and thought into your responses. Once
you’ve completed the survey, you’re given your MBTI personality type (four letters) and percentage for each type.
Review the description of your Personality Type from the Human Metrics website and supplemental material
provided on Blackboard.
In a minimum of a one (full) single-spaced page:
1. Identify and describe your MBTI “Type” in your own words (not copied directly from the Human Metrics
website or supplemental material) and examples of how the description of this personality type identifies
some of your personality traits.
2. Based on the literature, describe your strengths based on your MBTI Type for each of the three following
workplace activities: teamwork, problem solving and communication.
3. Based on your MBTI “Type,” describe some areas that you would like to focus on this semester in order to
maximize your ability to excel in the areas of teamwork, problem solving and communication as you work
with diverse personalities at your internship.
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*Mid-Term Writing Assignment: Due Friday, March 27, 11:59 pm
During the Spring semester, you are encouraged to fully focus on your transition from a student to a professional.
To assist in this transformation, you will read the book The C Students Guide to Success by Ron Bliwas and write a
minimum of a four (4) page double-spaced paper analyzing how each of the 10 lessons presented in the book relate
to your professional development during the internship. If one or more of the lessons do not apply, the lesson(s)
can be analyzed in terms of your past or present employment or future career objectives.
NOTE #1: The paper must be based on material from the book, or the student will not receive a passing grade.
Papers that are presented like a book review instead of a reflective paper will not receive a passing grade.
*NOTE #2: If this is the second or third semester you’ve enrolled PA 796, you are not required to complete a MidTerm Writing Assignment.
MPA Internship Report: Due Wednesday, May 13, 11:59 pm:
The Internship Report should be a minimum of eight (8) pages (double-spaced) and include the following information:
I. Organization Overview
This section will provide an overview of the agency including mission, organizational objectives, annual budget,
number of employees, number of residents (or clients) served, stakeholder groups, services offered and any other
relevant information.
II. Literature Review
The student will choose a specific program or function within the organization to analyze in their MPA Internship
Report. Using a minimum of six (6) peer-reviewed scholarly journal articles in addition to other sources as
appropriate, this section will analyze the program or function using current academic literature (within the past
three years). Sources should contain literary reviews or research studies evaluating the type of program or method
of service delivery (if relevant) or current challenges in terms of finances, governance, changes in clientele etc. This
section of the paper should be a minimum of five (5) pages in length. Work should be cited in APA format and
include a references page at the end of the paper. Please consult with the instructor if you require guidance in the
focus of the literature review.
III. Critical Review
This section will discuss how the student’s experiences and observations compared or contrasted to the academic
literature reviewed.
IV. Conclusion: Ethical Reasoning and Professional Development
This section will analyze the student’s observations of ethical decision making during public policy development or
operational activities. The paper will conclude with a discussion of the student’s professional growth during the
semester and how the internship assignment and course helped the student become a more effective practitioner.
PERFORMANCE EVALUATION:
After the student has completed the required number of service hours according to her/her enrollment and Special
Study Authorization Contract, he/she should complete the top section of the Internship Evaluation and provide to
his/her supervisor to fill out and discuss with the student. This form also provides proof to the instructor that the
student completed the minimum number of service hours.
This form needs to be hand-delivered to the instructor during her office hours anytime during the semester once the
student has completed the minimum number of service hours, but no later than Wednesday, May 13, 4:30 pm. Please
plan on staying for a few minutes to discuss the evaluation and your takeaways from the internship experience.
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