GPSI Application Information
Some academic programs have special application and admission requirements, in addition to the standard UIS graduate admission requirements. Please visit the UIS graduate education website for specific academic program admission requirements and deadlines.
And, please be aware that if your graduate program has identified program pre-requisite courses that must be completed prior to being fully admitted to the master’s degree program, you may not be eligible for the GPSI applicant pool until you have successfully completed some of the required pre-requisite courses. To be eligible for the GPSI applicant pool, you are allowed to have no more than four (4) pre-requisite courses that still need to be completed. If your GPSI applicant file is complete and it is determined that you have more than four (4) pre-requisite courses remaining to be completed, your GPSI applicant file will be placed on “hold” in the GPSI office.
The application process for the Graduate Public Service Internship Program is detailed below. Please note the additional information and required form for the personal goal statement noted below. The requirements for the personal goal statement apply to both the GPSI and GA programs.
Domestic Students:
1. If you want to apply for graduate study at UIS and also want to apply for the Graduate Public Service Internship Program, click here.
2. If you are a current UIS graduate student or you have already applied for graduate studies at UIS and would like to apply for the Graduate Public Service Internship Program you only need to complete the GPSI application. Please click here to access the GPSI application.
International Students:
1. If you want to apply for graduate study at UIS and also want to apply for the Graduate Public Service Internship Program, click here.
2. If you are a current UIS international graduate student or you have already applied for graduate studies at UIS and would like to apply for the Graduate Public Service Internship Program, click here.
Personal Goal Statement: The personal goal statement is one of the most important components of your GPSI file. This statement is your opportunity to tell us in your own words why you are pursuing a GPSI internship. It is a chance for us to get to know you -- the person behind the GPA, the test scores, the undergraduate degree, and previous work history. Specifically, we are looking for originality and information relevant to GPSI / UIS and not generalized information or long philosophical discussions. Originality, meaning using your own words based on your personal experience, is critical. It is not okay to borrow (plagiarize) words or ideas from other people or internet sites without citing the source for the information. Personal goal statements are checked for originality. If any document submitted as part of the application requirements to the GPSI program is determined to have been plagiarized or copied from another, without credit being given to that source, your GPSI file will be immediately removed from the applicant pool.
To access the required form for the personal goal statement for both the GA and GPSI programs, please click here. Please note: the personal goal statement is form formatted as a Microsoft Word document. Please do not "unlock" the form. You simply need to enter your data in the gray shaded areas on the form, save the file, and submit the document as noted below as Microsoft Word file attachment.
Please submit your personal goal statement to the GPSI office as an e-mail file attachment to shefl1@uis.edu. Or, you may mail your completed form, along with your other application documents, to the Office of Graduate Intern Programs. The mailing address is: Office of Graduate Intern Programs, University of Illinois Springfield, One University Plaza, MS BRK 475, Springfield, IL 62703-5407. If you are also applying for the GA program, please e-mail your goal statement to the GA office at gaprog@uis.edu.
Reference Letters: You must submit three (3) reference letters, two from faculty who are familiar with your academic work and one from a current or former employer. We will accept copies of reference letters submitted to academic programs. Please click here to download the reference letter form. While you are not required to use this form, we encourage you to do so. Please complete one form per letter.
Your reference letters must be sent to the Office of Graduate Intern Programs, University of Illinois Springfield, One University Plaza, MS BRK 475, Springfield, IL 62703-5407. Or, your reference letter may be sent to the GPSI office as a file attachment to shefl1@uis.edu. The e-mail must be sent by the reference, not the GPSI applicant. The letter must be on the reference's university or business letterhead.
Resume: You must submit a current resume. Please submit your resume to the GPSI office as an e-mail file attachment to shefl1@uis.edu. Or, you may mail your resume, along with your other application documents, to the Office of Graduate Intern Programs. The mailing address is: Office of Graduate Intern Programs, University of Illinois Springfield, One University Plaza, MS BRK 475, Springfield, IL 62703-5407. If you are also applying for the GA program, please e-mail your resume to the GA office at gaprog@uis.edu.
Graduate Admission Notice / Official Transcripts: The GPSI office will request a copy of your UIS "Notice of Graduate Admission" form and all official transcripts from the UIS Admissions office. There is no need to send either of these required documents to the GPSI or GA offices. These are required components of your GPSI/GA applicant file, however, we must request these documents on your behalf. As soon as your GPSI/GA application is received in our office, we request these items from the UIS Admissions office for your GPSI/GA applicant file.