https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2025-2026/AM_1120The aim of the first internship is to apply the competences acquired during the previous courses in a project in order to ground the knowledge, attitudes and skills of interdisciplinary research. More specifically, the aims of the internships are:The student conducts academic work in a group intervision setting and under supervision.The student is able to find scientific information and to evaluate this for the benefit of their own project.The student is able to apply scientific methods and knowledge, to answer research questions and to generate evidence‐based knowledge.The student is able to formulate a research question, to choose, to implement and to evaluate the (appropriate) research method, and to formulate the obtained results in academic form.The student learns to cooperate with researchers and practitioners of various disciplines.The student is able to orally present the project results and to discuss the findings.The student obtains a good impression of a potential future field of career.The internship is a compulsory part of the Master MPA. The duration of the internship is 5 months (27 EC). An internship placement must provide the student with the opportunity to learn how to conduct research under supervision. An important element of the first year internship is the group intervision process. This year (2025-2026) there are two different options for the first year internship: (1) a reflective practice internship in which students individually do a work-based placement at an organization, work on a portfolio and write a reflection report; (2) a research internship in which students work in a team on a similar topic and each write an individual (part of the) research report, preferably for a commissioning party. Placement in topics of preference is dependent on the availability of topics/supervisors. An internship typically has three phases:In the first phase, you write your internship proposal. In the second phase, you work on your portfolio or conduct the researchIn the third phase, you reflect and or/conduct your final analysis and present your findings both orally and in a report. The presentation seminar is a compulsory part of this third phase.InternshipStudents will be assessed on their report/portfolio, presentation, execution, and attitude. Within six weeks after the start of the internship, an interim evaluation will take place to assess whether there is a reasonable chance of the placement being brought to a successful completion. The internship is supervised by one and assessed by two approved examiners of VU Amsterdam. In addition to the VU supervisor, there is an onsite supervisor that guides the student.Verschuren, P. and Doorewaards, H. (2010) Designing a research project (2nd edition) Eleven International Publishing, The Hague. Gray, D.E. (2014) Doing Research in the Real World (3rd edition)Sage Publications Ltd, Los Angeles. Substantial additional reading, to be searched for by the student.Students MSc MPA year 1Internships can only start when the draft proposal and application and agreement form is approved and signed by the program coordination team. Information on Master internships is made available on Canvas.To ensure that students do have enough background knowledge, it is required that you have passed the three compulsory courses: ‘Research Methods for Analyzing Complex Problems', ‘Analysis of Governmental Policy’ and ‘Communication Organization and Management’.Information about internship opportunities, the visiting hours of the specialization coordinator and specific tips, training and intervision opportunities and meetings will be available on Canvas.