I am required to complete PER. How do I find an internship that is relevant? How do I know whether the internship will qualify?

In order to fulfill the PER, your PER position must be directly relevant to your NYU Wagner MUP or MPA degree program, specialization and Wagner coursework as well as your career goals in public service.  The experience must provide opportunities to practically apply the skills and knowledge gained through your Wagner coursework and to gain the skills and knowledge needed to compete for employment in your public service field of interest. 

Your PER must be a minimum of 160 hours. *International students, please note that you can work a maximum of 20 hrs/week during Fall or Spring semesters. During the summer and winter break periods, you can work over 20 hours per week.

NYU Wagner’s Office of Career Services staff is available to advise you on strategies and resources for identifying degree relevant positions, submitting strong application materials, and conducting successful interviews. Email wagner.ocs@nyu.edu or visit Wagner Careers for more information about OCS resources. Please Note: NYU Wagner Office of Career Services does not place students in jobs or internships for the PER.

If you are considering using a position for your PER and want to verify that it qualifies before accepting the position, please first review the PER FAQ webpage to ensure it meets all the applicable qualifications. If you are still unsure whether the position will qualify for PER,  schedule an appointment with an OCS Career Advisor via the NYU Wagner Career Directory to discuss the position in more detail.