Internships
Gain real-world policy experience
As part of the MSSP and MSSP+DA curriculum, students complete 150 hours of a policy-related internship, typically done after coursework is complete. The policy internship provides students with real-world experiences by allowing them to apply classroom learning and research skills in the areas of policy analysis, data analysis, research, policymaking, advocacy, policy implementation, policy communications, and policy evaluation activities. Internships span all types of agencies and organizations, including non-profits, research institutions, advocacy organizations, think tanks, state and local government, federal government, for-profit institutions, and private foundations.
Both the MSSP program and the MSSP+DA program include a social policy internship. Internships generally take place mid-May to August. Occasionally, a student will complete the internship during the fall or spring semester.
Internships are structured based on individual student interests and past social policy experiences and can take place in the United States or internationally. Internships typically span 6-8 weeks and require a minimum of 150 hours. All internships must be policy related.
Finding an internship
Prior to searching for internships, students complete a student interest form and submit it to MSSP staff. Program staff meet with the student to discuss possibilities and guide the process. There are several ways to find a right-fit internship:
- Review the listing of past internship sites.
- Identify possible internships through networking with friends, family, classmates, faculty, former employers, and personal contacts.
- Research organizations of interest to see if internships are available.
Internship opportunities received through the MSSP office are emailed to students. During the search, students are encouraged to cast their net broadly and apply to many organizations. This will yield the best possible opportunities.
Partial list of past internship sites
- ACLU of Pennsylvania
- Actionable Intelligence for Social Policy (AISP)
- Center for American Progress’ Women’s Initiative
- Center for High Impact Philanthropy (CHIP)
- Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia *
- CHILD USA*
- China House
- City of Philadelphia Department of Human Services*
- City of Philadelphia Office of Children & Families
- Data Science for Social Good, Carnegie Mellon University
- Economy League of Greater Philadelphia
- Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia
- Health Equity & Policy Lab
- Mayor’s Internship Program, Philadelphia Mayor’s Office
- Prevention Point Philadelphia
- Satell Institute
- Social Security Administration
- Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program
- Towards Unity for Health (TUFH)
- United Nations Development Programme
- The World Bank
*Denotes a partner organization
Partnered Internships
Penn SP2-CHOP Data Analytics Fellowship Program
The School of Social Policy & Practice partners with the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) to offer the Penn SP2-CHOP Data Analytics Fellowship Program. This fellowship provides two MSSP+DA students the opportunity to work at CHOP employing big data analytics for child health policy and practice research. As one of the leading Children’s Hospitals in the United States, CHOP is on the forefront of developing and implementing cutting-edge data driven approaches to biomedical research, policy, and practice. Penn SP2-CHOP Data Analytics Fellows have the opportunity to apply their policy and data analytics training with data that can make a difference in children’s lives.This 12-week fellowship is completed in the Spring semester of the second year of the MSSP+DA program and fulfills the program’s internship requirement. Students can work either part-time or full-time with competitive compensation. The fellowship begins in late January and is completed by May 1 in advance of graduation. For more information, contact Dr. Ezekiel Dixon-Román.
Penn MSSP-DHS Performance Management & Technology Fellowship
The MSSP program partners with the Philadelphia Department of Human Services (DHS) to offer the MSSP-DHS Performance Management & Technology Fellowship Program. This Fellowship provides one MSSP or MSSP+DA student with the opportunity to work at the DHS Division of Performance Management & Technology, developing research and evaluation pertaining to child welfare policy at their Data Analytics Unit. The DHS Division of Performance Management & Technology promotes safety, permanency, and well-being for children and youth at risk of abuse, neglect and delinquency. It develops and maintains integrated information systems and data analytics that can inform practitioners and policy decisions and conducts research to evaluate the effectiveness of programs. MSSP-DHS Fellows apply their policy, research and evaluation, and data analytics training to improve services that impact children’s lives.MSSP-DHS Fellows complete at least 150 hours in the Spring or Summer semester in consultation with their advisor. The schedule is determined by the Fellow and DHS staff with a preference for at least a 12-hour/week commitment. This fellowship fulfills both the MSSP and MSSP+DA internship requirement. For more information, please contact Dr. Azahara Palomeque.
CHILD USA Social Science Fellowship Program
The School of Social Policy & Practice partners with CHILD USA to offer the CHILD USA Social Science Fellowship Program. This opportunity allows students to work hands on with a nonprofit think tank dedicated to ending child abuse and neglect. CHILD USA is the leading national think tank in this area, led by Penn Professor Marci Hamilton, whose legal career in changing the Statutes of Limitation for child sex abuse led her to create a nonprofit to tackle child abuse and neglect more broadly. CHILD USA uses the best legal and social science analysis and research to make recommendations on policies to better protect children. During this internship, Social Science Fellows analyze data and conduct research on topics including but not limited to abuse in sports, statutes of limitation, conversion therapy, educational neglect, and child safety during COVID-19. For more information, please contact Dr. Azahara Palomeque.
Events
08/26
SP2 Friday
Come out and network with current students and alumni. Refreshments will be served. SP2 Fridays is presented by the Offices of Institutional Advancement & Student Affairs.
Events
10/28
SP2 Friday
Come out and network with current students and alumni. Refreshments will be served. SP2 Fridays is presented by the Offices of Institutional Advancement & Student Affairs.
News
Student Life
06/22
$12.5M in New Scholarships to Enrich Student Population Diversity
The resources will provide unprecedented support for graduate students in social work, social policy, and nonprofit leadership. The University of Pennsylvania announced a $7.5 million commitment to increase scholarships for […]
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