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The Internship and Cooperative Education (Co-op) Programs

The Internship Program

The School of Public Policy (SPP) Internship Program provides an opportunity for students to gain professional experience and skills that will complement their academic program and enhance their career opportunities. The program also is intended to support area organizations by allowing employers to work with graduate students in an effort to increase recruiting success.

The internship program is open to all degree seeking SPP Master’s students who have completed a minimum of 12 credits of required coursework with a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA. Students in the MPP and ODKM programs who do not have at least two years of relevant professional experience are required to complete a three-credit internship.

SPP Career Services does not place students in internships but is available to assist students with the search process. Additionally, SPP JobNet (link to JobNet) contains information on available internships.

The Co-op Program

Cooperative Education (Co-op) provides students the opportunity to work at a sponsoring organization while remaining enrolled in their degree programs. This link provides detailed information about Mason's co-op program and the process for registering a co-op with the university.

SPP tuition for in-state students is approximately half the cost of the tuition at private competitors in the D.C. area.

Employer information sessions are offered each semester with public, private, and nonprofit organizations such as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, RAND, Third Way, and the Department of Treasury.

More than 70% of SPP students are employed while pursuing their degrees -- classes are offered in the late afternoon and early evening to accommodate full- and part-time students.