Apply Your Knowledge
A cornerstone of the UNC Master of Public Administration curriculum is the Professional Work Experience (PWE), which provides students the opportunity to practice applying skills, knowledge, and theory through a relevant public service work experience. More than an internship, the PWE is an opportunity for students to gain experience and skills for leadership.
“I have heard countless times that some things are best learned through experience, and I found that to be true. My internship gave me the opportunity to see firsthand the situations I had spent the past year learning about, which gave me a greater understanding of what it means to translate theory into practice.”
An approved PWE will consist of 300-400 hours of work with a public service organization. On-campus will typically complete their PWE during the summer following their first year in the program. Online students have the opportunity to complete their PWE once they’ve completed 6 specific core courses. A typical schedule for a full-time PWE consists of 40 hours a week for 10 weeks (400 hours), while a part-time PWE may consist of a flexible schedule extending over 15 weeks (300 hours).
The PWE offers the opportunity to apply classroom learning to a public sector work setting that may align with the unique interests and goals of individual students.
The primary objective of the Professional Work Experience (PWE) is to strategically apply the knowledge and skills gained in the MPA program to a professional setting. The PWE is designed to provide students with the opportunity to engage in meaningful, hands-on work within the public sector, allowing them to:
Students with five or more years of public service experience who are currently employed within a public service organization may, upon completion of the prerequisite coursework, apply for a waiver for the PWE requirement. However, all students, regardless of waiver status, are required to complete PUBA 747: Applied Research Problem I course.
Local Government
– City of Savannah, Georgia (Manager’s Office)
– City of San Diego, California (Fire and Rescue Department)
– Cumberland County, North Carolina (Emergency Management)
– Davie County, North Carolina (Health Department)
– Durham County, North Carolina (Budget Office)
State/Federal Government
– NC Department of Health and Human Services
– NC Board of Science and Technology
– NC Child Fatality Task Force
– NC Division of Environmental Quality
– NC Division of Emergency Management
– NC Division on Aging
Nonprofit
– American Red Cross
– Child Care Services Association
– Boys Hope/Girls Hope
– American Museum of Natural History
– Council for Community and Economic Research
– Duke University
– Office of the Provost
October 01, 2024
Interview with current student Ushni Gupta Welcome to the Carolina MPA@UNC program Ushni! …
September 16, 2024
Meet new student Ryan Campbell! Hometown: Boston, MA Alma Mater: Western Carolina University…
September 13, 2024
Welcome to the Carolina MPA@UNC program Ushni! Tell us a bit about yourself. I was born…