The Field Experience requirement is a cornerstone of your James Madison College education, offering hands-on professional experience while earning academic credit. This semester-long internship program connects you with government agencies, nonprofits, policy organizations, and international opportunities where you'll tackle real public affairs challenges.
Have questions about requirements, applications, or finding the right placement? Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about JMC's Field Experience requirement below.
The Field Experience requirement is a semester-long internship that’s a central part of your Madison education. Internships completed for the Field Experience requirement are typically 32-40 hours per week (or 15-20 for part-time) at a professional organization while earning 12 credits (or 8 for part-time) through MC 400 and MC 401. It's your chance to apply classroom learning to real-world public affairs challenges.
You're eligible during your junior or senior year and can complete it during Fall, Spring or Summer semester. Students are encouraged to start planning one to two semesters in advance.
While most students complete an internship, you can petition for substitutions including a senior honors thesis, prior professional work experience, experiential learning requirement for second non-JMC major or approved study abroad programs. Students interested in pursuing alternative options should consult with JMC’s Field Experience Coordinator Lauren Michalak in advance of making plans.
Start with the JMC Field Experience Database (FEDB); explore MSU’s international internship programs; check out study-away options in DC, NYC, Flint and Detroit; or develop your own opportunity through personal connections.
Absolutely! JMC sponsors international internship programs in countries like Australia, Ireland, South Africa, Japan, Argentina, South Korea, Spain and the UK. These programs help with placement and housing, making international experiences accessible.
Many students find their own opportunities through family, faculty, or personal connections. Just meet with the Field Experience Coordinator Lauren Michalak to discuss the organization and ensure it meets JMC's criteria.
Your internship must involve public affairs issues, policy-making, or decision-making concepts. You need a professional (non-clerical) supervisor, and clerical work can't exceed 15% of your duties. The experience should connect to your Madison education and career goals.
If you find an internship outside of Madison's established connections, yes. You may be asked by the Field Experience Coordinator to provide a letter from your supervisor detailing duties and hours, plus your own statement explaining how it relates to your academic goals and Madison's program.
Yes. Part-time internships are 15-20 hours per week for 8 credits total (MC 400: 5 credits, MC 401: 3 credits). Full-time is 32-40 hours per week for 12 credits total (MC 400: 9 credits, MC 401: 3 credits).
More than half of students earn some kind of compensation for their internships (hourly, stipend, etc.). In addition to compensation, these placements provide valuable experience, professional networking and potential job connections.
You'll need to arrange your own housing for internships outside of the greater Lansing area. Options include apartments, rooms for rent, university housing or residential hotels. For MSU-sponsored study-away and international programs, housing is typically arranged for you.
These are the academic courses you'll take to satisfy the Field Experience requirement. MC 400 is taken while completing the internship and focuses on goal setting and reflection through journals, essays or a reflection paper. MC 401, taken while either at your internship or in the semester after completing it, is a substantial research project (18-20 pages or approved alternative) on a topic related to your internship, completed with a faculty reader. Consult the JMC Field Experience Handbook for more detailed information.
You can choose any JMC faculty member as your reader by enrolling in their open section of MC 401. Many students pick someone from their major or a professor they've had before. You'll work together to develop a research topic and meet regularly throughout the semester.
Plan carefully! You will need to complete MC 401 while completing your internship, and will need to coordinate with your faculty reader to ensure you complete the course in time to graduate. If necessary, you may be granted an extension on the course to complete it in the next semester, but that will push back your graduation to the semester in which the work is completed.
Start planning one to two semesters in advance, as a variety of factors (location, organization size) can impact the application timeline. Meet with the Field Experience Coordinator after you’ve done preliminary research on organizations. Summer internships are particularly competitive and require early planning.
You'll need a resume, cover letter, and sometimes additional materials like writing samples, references or transcripts. The Field Experience and Career Services Offices can help with resume prep and application strategies.
Contact Field Experience Coordinator Lauren Michalak (or make an advising appointment via SIS) to explore opportunities and begin planning your professional experience. Students can meet with Lauren for drop-in advising on Wednesdays from 1:30 to 4 p.m. in 329 South Case Hall.