Muskie School of Public Service

Field Experience & Independent Study: Public Policy and Management

Field Experience Policies and Procedures

PPM Coordinator: Professor Bob Goettel

PPM Field Experience Program Form
PPM Field Experience Contract Form


Muskie school students enjoy a range of field experience options in a variety of public policy venues. Most field experiences are a minimum of 130 hours and normally take place during an academic semester. However, the field experience requirement may be completed during a shorter period of time. Students are encouraged to consider alternative and flexible arrangements to maximize employment opportunities.

The field experience program is designed to assist students in identifying field experience opportunities. However, students may locate excellent field experiences with organizations that they have a direct interest in or from information obtained through other sources. Students should fill out the Field Experience Program form when they begin thinking about the field experience. Return the form to the PPM Field Experience Coordinator who can help assess opportunities and match student interests to possible field experiences. Once a field experience placement has been obtained, each student must complete a contract form available on the web or through the Office of Student Affairs or the field experience coordinator.

Upon completion of the field experience, students must submit a formal report outlining their experience. Students whose placement involves a specific project submit a copy of their work as evidence of their experience. A grade of pass/fail is submitted upon completion of the field experience and submission of a student self-evaluation report.