FAQs
What is the GPSI?
The Graduate Public Service Internship Program is a twenty-one (21) month internship that gives you the opportunity to simultaneously begin a professional career while earning a master’s degree from the University of Illinois Springfield. The GPSI placement coincides with your full-time study in one of 20 graduate programs offered at the University of Illinois Springfield. Depending on the intern's academic program requirements for degree completion, some GPSI placements can be less than 21 months.
What is the application deadline?
If you are an applicant who is interested in a placement for the 2012 FALL term, your GPSI file must be complete by March 15, 2012. Applicants who do not meet the March 15 deadline may be eligible for a second round of interviews in June. To be considered for an interview in June, your GPSI file must be complete by May 15, 2012.
What is a complete file?
Your file is complete once we have received your GPSI application, resume, personal goal statement, three letters of reference (two from faculty; one from an employer), notice of graduate admission, and transcripts from all colleges attended. The GPSI office will request your notice of graduate admission and transcripts from the UIS Office of Admissions. Please go to the "GPSI Applicant Info and Forms" link on the menu to the left for complete application instructions.
What is a personal goal statement?
Placement agencies like to know about your background, and how a GPSI placement would enhance your graduate education and professional development, and about how you can make a contribution to the agency. The personal goal statement is your tool to introduce yourself. The statement should be succinct and in your own words, and cannot exceed two typed pages. 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 the source,your GPSI file will be immediately removed from the applicant pool.
You may be required to submit a goal statement for your academic program as part of the program's application process. The academic program goal statement is in addition to the required GPSI goal statement. For detailed information on the requirements for the personal goal statement and the form used for the goal statement, please go to the "GPSI Applicant Info and Forms" link on the menu to the left. Please note: Personal goal statements not submitted on the required form will be returned to applicants for revisions.
If you are also applying to the GA program -- the GA office requires the same personal goal statement form. The goal statement is shared between both the GA and GPSI programs, and is interchangeable. There is no need to complete one goal statement form for a GA position and one form for a GPSI position.
What are the academic program admission requirements?
Since you must be admitted to graduate studies at UIS in order to be eligible for the GPSI applicant pool, it is important that you contact the academic program to determine specific admission requirements and application deadlines for the program. Some academic programs have additional admission requirements that may impact your GPSI file completion timelines. For academic program information, please visit the graduate education website.
What if I have pre-requisite courses to complete?
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.
What opportunities are available for a UIS online student?
If you are an online student who is available to work in Springfield for the duration of the internship placement, you are welcome to apply for the GPSI program. At this time, however, we do not have placements for online students located outside of the Springfield area.
Can international students apply for a GPSI position? Yes. If you are an international student, you are welcome to apply to the GPSI program; however, F-1 visa status is required to be eligible for the program. Proof of F-1 visa status must be on file with the GPSI office before any GPSI interviews are scheduled.
If you currently live abroad, we encourage you to complete your GPSI application file prior to arriving on the UIS campus for your first semester of study. Upon arrival on the UIS campus for the fall or spring semester, as a GPSI applicant you must check in with the GPSI office to verify your F-1 status and provide your local address and telephone number.
What does a GPSI intern do?
As a GPSI intern, you will have the opportunity for a professional experience that is compatible with your academic background, graduate program, and skills. Historically, GPSI interns have done challenging work in the areas of economic forecasting, grant writing, research, writing press releases, preparing television public service announcements, marketing, statewide conference management, newsletter production, environmental research on endangered species, website development, computer programming, database development and management, statewide audits, and public health research. GPSI represents a continuum of opportunities for top-flight interns.
When does the internship begin?
Your GPSI placement will begin August 16, 2012 and end May 15, 2014, or earlier depending on your term for degree completion.
Is there a minimum grade point average required to be eligible for GPSI?
Yes. To be eligible for the GPSI applicant pool, you must be admitted to a UIS graduate degree program by the application deadline, and your cumulative undergraduate GPA must be at least 2.50. Preference is given to applicants with a 3.00 or better GPA. If you have already earned an advanced degree, you are still welcome to apply. GPSI interns must maintain a 3.00 GPA for continued participation in the program after accepting a placement.
What is the academic course load required per semester? Due to the work component of the GPSI program, interns are required to register for a minimum of eight (8) credit hours for the fall and spring terms and still be classified as a full-time degree seeking student. Registration for the summer term is optional. This policy applies to both domestic and international interns.
How much is the tuition waiver? GPSI interns are eligible to receive up to nine (9) credit hours of tuition waiver for the fall and spring terms and four (4) credit hours of tuition waiver for the summer term.
What about mandatory student fees and textbooks? GPSI interns receive $250 each fall and spring semester towards mandatory student fees. Textbook purchases are the intern's responsibility.
How are interns selected?
Remember, selection as a GPSI intern is on a competitive basis. Participating agencies will consider the strength of your GPA, resume, letters of recommendation, undergraduate areas of study, previous work experience, career goals as defined in your educational goal statement, honors and awards, and any other special skills that might enhance your internship performance. If you have computer skills, such as the Microsoft Office suite, you are strongly encouraged to list the skills and your proficiency level on your resume.
Your GPSI file will be sent to participating state agencies for interview consideration. Interview and final hiring decisions are made solely by the agencies with no input from the GPSI office. Not all applicants who apply will be selected for agency interviews. And, not all applicants interviewed will be selected for a placement.
If you are selected for a first round interview(s),we will send you the interview schedule and position descriptions by e-mail. Interviews are scheduled by the GPSI office and conducted by agency representatives. Interviews are typically 30 minutes. If you are selected for multiple interviews, every effort will be made to schedule your interviews on the same day.
You are responsible for your own travel arrangements and expenses to participate in the interview process. We do not schedule telephone interviews.
We strongly encourage you to wear professional attire for the interviews. The interview is your time to shine!
Do interns receive academic credit for the internship experience?
No. You will, however, receive one hour of academic credit for PAD 561 The Organizational Environment in Public Service, the GPSI seminar class you will complete during your first fall term in the GPSI program. Some academic programs will allow you to apply the seminar credit towards degree requirements. PAD 561 is mandatory for all GPSI interns.
An additional option for GPSI interns is PAD 580 Public Administration Internship Seminar being offered by the UIS Public Administration Department. This is a three hour optional internship course for GPSI interns, which is a blended class that will meet face to face four or five times in the daytime and also utilize online discussions and exercises. The focus would be on issues in state government, reflection and conversation regarding the internship and the application of academic theory to these practice situations. Students should take this course only if they have a real interest in how the public sector works. The course is NOT required for GPSI interns; however, it may be used as elective course credit. You need to meet with your academic program advisor, if you are interested in enrolling in this class. Registration is open to GPSI interns in all academic programs.
Are textbooks covered by this program?
No. Textbooks are your responsibility.
Are mandatory student fees covered by this program?
Yes - partially. Interns receive $250 each fall and spring term to be applied towards mandatory student fees.
Do interns receive health insurance benefits?
No. You are, however, eligible to purchase UIS student accident and health insurance. This is handled by the UIS Office of Human Resources.
Are GPSI interns eligible for additional financial assistance?
Yes. To determine if you are eligible for additional financial assistance, please visit the UIS Office of Financial Assistance.
Does the GPSI program guarantee interns a job after graduation?
No. You may, however, have the opportunity to continue working in state government or in the private sector through contacts established during the internship experience. As a result of the GPSI experience, many interns have advanced to careers in state government. Many of the agency supervisors working with current interns had their start as a GPSI intern.
What about housing at UIS?
For on-campus and off-campus housing information, we encourage you to contact the UIS Housing Office. If you plan to apply for campus housing -- apply early!
How do I request additional information?
We welcome the opportunity to talk with you. Please give us a call today if you have questions or would like to request an information packet. The GPSI office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Central Time). We can be reached by phone at 217.206.6158, by fax at 217.206.7508, or via e-mail at sshur01s@uis.edu.