APA Public Interest Policy Internship Program

2007-2008 Public Policy Graduate Student Internship Program

PROGRAM: The graduate student intern will spend one year working on public policy issues on the staff of the Public Policy Office of the American Psychological Association (APA). The Office helps to formulate and implement APA positions on major federal policy initiatives of importance to psychology in the areas of public interest, education, and science. The intern’s activities include participating in legislative and advocacy work, such as assisting in the preparation of briefing papers, testimony, and other documents, and attending congressional hearings and coalition meetings.

PURPOSE: To provide graduate students with first-hand knowledge of the ways in which psychological research can inform public policy and the roles psychologists can play in its formulation and implementation.

CRITERIA: Applicants must be enrolled in a doctoral program in psychology, in at least the second year of graduate training, and have a strong interest in applying psychological research findings to the development of public policy. The intern must be able to work quickly and communicate effectively on a wide range of topics, and be able to work cooperatively with individuals having diverse viewpoints. The intern must demonstrate competence in conducting literature reviews and summarizing findings for a non-scientific audience. Applicants should be members of the American Psychological Association of Graduate Students (APAGS) and must be available to work 15 to 20 hours per week in APA’s Central Office in Washington, D.C., from September 2007 until August 2008.

STIPEND: The internship provides a stipend of $15.00 per hour.

APPLICATION: Interested students are required to submit the following materials by March 2, 2007:

a current vita providing information about educational background and any relevant professional, public policy, and/or legislative experience;
a statement of 500 words or less, expressing the applicant’s interest in the internship and what the applicant hopes to learn from the experience;
a literature review (not more than 5 pages); and
three letters of reference, including one from the Department indicating the applicant is enrolled and in good standing with the college/university.

Send your application to: Public Policy Office/Internship Program, Public Policy Office, American Psychological Association, 750 First Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242. For additional information about the application process, please contact the APA Public Policy Office via email or at (202) 336-6062.

For additional information about the application process, please contact the APA Public Policy Office at (202) 336-6062.