Experiential learning
Get your hands dirty
Engage with real life social and political debates by connecting with the policymakers, community workers, activists and other actors who shape them.
Develop your own skills to better intervene in society and effect meaningful change.
Experiential learning is integrated throughout our courses. Connect theory to practice with a wide variety of hands-on projects, including:
Mandatory internship
The major requires that you complete a mandatory internship. You may or may not have input on the organization where it will take place.
Frequent internship sites include:
SCPA 301
Social Debates and Issues in Public Policy Analysis: Organize a series of public panels, featuring researchers, activists, community members, politicians and other stakeholders on hot topic political and social issues.
SCPA 352
Community and Local Activism: Collaborate on a class oral history project in which you will dialogue with activists from diverse contexts and share their stories and reflections with the broader public.
SCPA 321
Public Affairs Strategies and SCPA 480: Public Affairs Communications: Learn practical skills in mounting campaigns and developing communications plans in the field of public affairs.
SCPA 412
Senior Research Seminar – Capstone course: Represent key stakeholders, such as public, community or corporate organizations, and engage in a simulation around a particular policy issue. Develop policy briefs, press kits, and other tools to help advocate for your position effectively.
