Internships

Planning Internship (1, 2 or 3 credits)

We are pleased to have developed a formal planning internship option. We have petitioned the University for a unique course number for it but in the meantime we will offer it through UAP 5964: Field Study. Students may sign up for 1-, 2- or 3-credit options and can cumulate hours over multiple semesters but not to exceed 3 total. In addition, because of its structure. students can also register this semester for internship-like experiences of the recent past. Internships can be paid or volunteer -- what matters most is the experience and insights gained from it. Here is how it will work. Unless otherwise noted, the readings can be acquired through the American Planning Association at http://www.planning.org.

UAP 5964: Field Study (Internship option)

Students choosing the internship option of Field Study may register for one, two or three credit hours. Students may take up to three credit hours in any combination however it is intended that each credit hour be cumulative with the previous. Grading is pass/fail only. Each credit hour is associated with approximately 36 to 45 hours of work or service to an organization in or related to planning. The purpose of the internship is to gain exposure to planning through participation in work assignments, interaction with co-workers, and reflection. The products associated with each credit hour level are as follows. They are not intended to be exhaustive or highly technical but rather reflective on your exposure to planning. No writing style is advocated so students are free to use the form of communication they believe conveys their reflections best.

First credit hour

  • Read
    • Kelly, Eric Damian and Barbara Becker. 2000. "Where Planners Work and What They Do," Community Planning: An Introduction to the Comprehensive Plan, Ch. 20: 407-421. Washington, DC: Island Press.
    • Stollman, Israel. 1979. "The Values of a City Planner." In Frank S. So., editor, The Practice of Local Government Planning, Ch. 1: 7-20. Washington, DC: International City-County Management Association.
    • Baum, Howell. 2000. "Communties, Organizations, Politics and Ethics." In Charles J. Hoch, Linda C. Dalton and Frank S. So, editors, The Practice of Local Government Planning, Third Edition. Washington, DC: International City-County Management Association.
  • Prepare
    • A list of projects you worked on with a bullet-list or brief description of your tasks. In addition, prepare a review ranging from about 1,000 to not more than 2,500 words linking the three readings above on themes related to planning roles, purposes, values, ethics, and unique contribution to society.

Second credit hour

  • Read
    • Jones, Warren W. and Natalie Macris. 2000. A Career Worth Planning. Chicago, IL: American Planning Association.
      Two copies of this book are on reserve in the Library.
  • Prepare
    • Material as required for the first credit hour plus a review of ranging from about 1,000 to not more than 2,500 words linking any or all of the themes in the book around any theme you found common in your internship focusing on preparation for and engagement in professional practice.

Third credit hour

  • Read
    • Solnit, Albert. 1987. The Job of the Planning Commissioner. Chicago, IL: American Planning Association.
      Two copies of this book are on reserve in the Library.
  • Prepare
    • Material as required for the first and second credit hours plus a review ranging from about 1,000 to not more than 2,500 words that follows a project you worked on that interacted in some fashion with a planning commission or any other public decision-making body and relate your experience(s) to any theme(s) presented in Solnit's book.

For additional information please email UAPAlexandria@vt.edu.

Courses