The odds for successful employment are better for students who leave Wagner with both a professional education and relevant, practical training in their chosen field. By requiring students to obtain and complete a relevant internship/job/volunteer assignment as part of their degree requirement, Wagner supports students in positioning themselves for employment after graduation.
All MPA and MUP students are required to graduate with field experience that is relevant to their degree program. Students who enter the program with fewer than two years of full-time relevant experience in the field must show proof of having completed a minimum of 280 hours of degree-program relevant internship or experience while at Wagner before enrollment in Capstone.
1. Who must complete the Professional Experience Requirement?
All MPA and MUP students are required to graduate with field experience that is relevant to their degree program. Students who enter the program with fewer than two years of full-time relevant experience in the field must show proof of having completed a minimum of 280 hours of degree-program relevant internship or experience while at Wagner before enrollment in Capstone. [up]
2. What is the purpose of the Professional Experience Requirement?
The odds for successful employment are better for students who leave Wagner with both a professional education and relevant, practical training in their chosen field. By requiring students to obtain and complete a relevant internship/job/volunteer assignment as part of their degree requirement, Wagner supports students in positioning themselves for employment after graduation.[up]
3. Do I need approval for to begin the relevant Professional Experience Requirement internship/job/volunteer assignment?
Yes, once you have identified a potential and relevant position, you must complete the PER Approval Request form, which can be found via the link at the top right corner of this page. When conducting your search for a relevant position, you should think about employment opportunities that enhance your program of study and that would best position you to join the organization/sector/field you desire once you have graduated. If there is any doubt, it is best to confirm that an internship/job/volunteer assignment is in fact relevant and will fulfill the internship/job/volunteer assignment requirement before you start interviewing for the position. In addition, OCS staff will be happy to work with you to narrow your search to criteria that will fit both your expectations and the Professional Experience Requirement. To find out more information about the services available through OCS, please go to the OCS website at http://wagner.nyu.edu/careers/. To contact OCS, call 212-998-7474. [up]
4. How do I document my 280 hours (at minimum) of experience to prove I have completed the Professional Experience Requirement?
Your direct supervisor must complete the PER Completion form, which can be found via the link at the top right corner of this page. Once this form is completed, you must submit it to Nancy Diaz (nancy.diaz@wagner.nyu.edu), Career Services Administrator. For more information and to download the PER Completion form, please visit http://wagner.nyu.edu/academics/per.php [up]
5. May I/How do I waive out of the Professional Experience Requirement?
If you believe that your professional experience upon enrollment at NYU Wagner is sufficient enough to allow you to waive out of the Professional Experience Requirement, you will need to complete an online waiver. For more information and to complete the Waiver form, please visit the link at the top right corner of this page, http://wagner.nyu.edu/academics/per.php
PLEASE NOTE: Waiver requests must be made within your first semester at Wagner. After your first semester has passed, waiver requests will not be considered and you will not be able to waive out of the Professional Experience Requirement. [up]
6. Will Wagner’s Office of Career Services (OCS) find an internship/job/volunteer assignment for me?
No. OCS’ role is to provide you with the tools and resources for you to be successful in your internship/job/volunteer assignment search, NOT to provide job placement. It is recommended that you attend the OCS general orientation sessions, held at the start of each semester, so that you can familiarize yourself with the career services and resources housed at OCS. [up]
7. If I am an international student, can the work experience I must get for the Professional Experience Requirement go toward my Curricular Practical Training time?
Yes, as an international student, the internship/job/volunteer assignment can count towards your Curricular Practical Training (CPT) time allotment, for a maximum of one semester, depending on your visa status. Remember, should you seek CPT, you must complete the one full academic year requirement before doing a paid internship/job. For further questions regarding your ability to work in the United States, please contact the Office of International Students and Scholars at 212-998-4720 or refer to their website at www.nyu.edu/osl/oiss. [up]
8. How do I determine if I am required to complete the PER?
If you are not sure whether you must complete PER, email wagner.studentservices@nyu.edu and request confirmation. [up]
9. I have additional questions about the Professional Experience Requirement. Who should I contact?
Nancy Diaz
NYU Wagner
295 Lafayette St., Rm 2112
New York, NY 10012
Phone: 212-998-7506
Fax: 212-995-4165
Email: nancy.diaz@wagner.nyu.edu
Website: http://wagner.nyu.edu/academics/per.php
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