Texas A&M University recognizes internships as an integral part of its curriculum enabling students to participate in structured, supervised learning experiences off-campus. The Public Policy Internship Program(PPIP) strives to provide out-of-classroom opportunities which help students build on and enhance previous coursework. Integrating an off-campus work-learning experience with related curriculum choices will reinforce learning on campus.
The Public Policy Internship Program is an academic service designated to help students attain a policy related internship in Washington D.C or Austin for course credit. Students may engage in internships in a variety of settings which match their academic goals.
Students are expected to work full-time at their internship placement. During their internship, students will learn new skills unique to their field, gain valuable inside knowledge about their professional future and meet the people who will someday be their co-workers and professional supervisors. PPIP's primary goal is to give students real work experience.
Mission & Objectives for the program are:
- To enable students to develop skills and competencies for specific professionals, to explore career interests, and form networks.
- To provide opportunities for students to evaluate and apply knowledge gained from academic coursework.
- To provide opportunities for students to develop intellectual and professional partnerships.
- To provide opportunities for students to examine first-hand how theories learned in the classroom impact society and the world at large.
- To provide students expanded opportunities for self-directed learning.