UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES

Opportunities

Students are encouraged to gain public service experience and to receive academic credits by working part-time in the public or nonprofit sectors. PAF 5452, Public Affairs Internship (3credits), can be repeated with the permission of the SPA undergraduate coordinator. Eligible students may also attend a summer institute to prepare for masters-level education.

The Hagedorn Fellowship offers students the unique opportunity to gain real-world experience through an internship in the nonprofit sector. Financial support is from the Hagedorn Foundation. Students must have declared the BSPA degree and hold an overall GPA of 3.00. Students are required to register for PAF 5452, attend weekly classes, work 10-hours per week in a nonprofit organization, submit a final report, and make an oral presentation at the end of the semester. Students have been placed at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Asian Americans for Equality, Lawyers Alliance for New York, and the Lenox Hill Neighborhood House. Work assignments may involve developing fundraising strategies, conducting research studies, implementing projects, or coordinating client activities. A $1,500 award is made upon the successful completion of the course. The internship supervisor is Professor Michael Feller. A former Vice President at Chase Bank, he has worked with major nonprofit organizations at the national, state, and local levels. Contact michael.feller@baruch.cuny.edu to learn more about the fellowship and to receive approval to register for PAF 5452.

The City Hall Internship requires students to register for PAF 5452, attend an in-class seminar once per week for 6-7 sessions, and work with a New York City Council member for 8-10 hours per week for 8-weeks. Students acquire knowledge of the local legislative process and gain a unique perspective on community issues. Interns are expected to document their experiences as they work on civic matters, including their day-to-day thoughts about public service. The course is open to non-public affairs majors, but students must have completed PAF 1250 or POL 1101 before the internship begins. Professor Stephen DiBrienza is the internship supervisor. He was a council member for 16 years and chaired such influential committees as waterfront development, higher education, and economic development. Contact stephen.dibrienza@baruch.cuny.edu to learn more about the fellowship and to receive approval to register for PAF 5452.

The Nonprofit Leadership Alliance (NLA) is a co-curricular program that leads to certification in non-profit management. It requires registration for PAF 5452, 300 hours of nonprofit service, participation in leadership activities, and attendance at a national nonprofit conference. Students become Certified Nonprofit Professionals (CNP) upon completion of the program. Students do not have to major in public affairs to participate. Professor Stan Altman is the faculty liaison to the NLA. Link to the NLA and contact stan.altman@baruch.cuny.edu to learn more about the program and to receive approval to register for PAF 5452.

The New York State Legislature internships acquaint students with the law-making process and constituent service. There are separate Assembly and Senate internship programs with their own applications and eligibility standards. Each program requires interns to reside in Albany, work in a legislative office, attend classes taught by professors-in-residence, contribute to a policy forum, and participate in a mock legislative session. Participants receive a $6,140 stipend and 15 academic credits for PAF 5001. Link to the Assembly or Senate and contact michael.feller@baruch.cuny.edu to learn more about the state legislature internships.

The Junior Summer Institute (JSI), a part of the Public Policy and International Affairs (PPIA) fellowship program, prepares students for graduate study in public policy and public administration. The JSI involves an intensive seven-week course of study in June-July at either Princeton University, Carnegie-Mellon University, the University of Michigan, or the University of California at Berkeley. The sessions focus on economics, statistics, leadership principles, communications, and public policy. Extracurricular activities are also included. Applicants must have completed their junior year of college by the start of the summer session and have at least one full semester or two quarters of coursework remaining before graduation. Students receive full tuition at the participating university, travel expenses, $1,500 stipend, and university housing with a meal plan. Professor Marco DeSena is the SPA faculty liaison to the PPIA. Link to the PPIA and contact marcodesena@hotmail.com to learn more about the summer program.