Master of Public Administration
Internships for MPA Students
Practical work experience is an important part of our MPA students’ education. An internship is not required of all MPA students, but is highly encouraged for pre-service and early career students. We collaborate with employers who are interested in providing practical work experiences that take place throughout the year, either on a full-time or part-time basis. MPA students participating in these experiential learning opportunities can enroll in MPA 595 to earn up to 6 semester hours toward elective coursework. Students interested in finding an internship placement and/or earning credit for an internship should contact the MPA Program Director and the Director of Experiential Learning, Dr. Birdsong, who supervises interns and assesses the reflective requirements to earn credit, before beginning an internship and enrolling in MPA 595. Some of the recent internships in which our students have participated are listed below.
- Arthritis Foundation (Washington, D.C.)
- Boy Scouts of America, National Capital Area Council
- City of Beavercreek
- City of Cedarville, Mayor's Office
- City of Centerville, Planning and Zoning
- City of Kettering, City Manager's Office
- City of Mason, Economic Development
- Dayton Children's Hospital
- Dayton Corps, Montgomery County Homeless Solutions
- Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management
- National Association of College and University Residence Halls
- Ohio Department of Youth Services
- Ohio Mayors Alliance
- Ohio Office of Budget and Management
- Saint Louis County Planning Department
- United States Air Force, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base
- United Way of the Greater Dayton Area
- U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO)
MPA graduate career placement
Our graduates find employment in the U.S. government (especially at Wright Patterson Air Force Base); State of Ohio government (as well as other states); city, county or other local governments; and nonprofits or NGOs (including social services and faith-based organizations, educational institutions, and foundations). Some pursue further education including Ph.D. degrees in public administration or related fields. Employment by sector for 2018-23 (past five) cohorts is below: