Chapter 4 Australian National Internships Program    

The Australian National Internships Program

J.M. Hutchison, BA Syd, PhD ANU
Director of Program

The Australian National Internships Program provides senior undergraduates with the opportunity to undertake, for academic credit, a designated research project within the workplace. Students may be from any Australian or overseas university, from any discipline (former interns have been students of political science or policy studies, communications or information technology, economics or commerce, law, geography, Asian or European studies, development studies, environmental studies, social work, linguistics, sports studies, music).

All placements are in Canberra, for between eight and ten weeks; the possibilities are with:

• the Commonwealth Parliament (with a Senator, Member, parliamentary committee or parliamentary department);
• the Australian Public Service (with government departments or statutory authorities);
• the ACT Legislative Assembly and ACT Public Service; or
• non-government peak and community organisations (these range from industry associations such as the National Farmers Association or the Motor Trades Association of Australia, to organisations such as the Australian Council for Overseas Aid to Greening Australia).

Prerequisites

Students are admitted by a Selection Committee which meets twice a year (November and June). Minimum requirements are that students are in their third year of academic study and that the internship will be officially credited to their degree by their home university.

Students therefore need to consult and obtain permission from their course adviser or a letter of cross-institutional support.

Internship A    INTN3001

(16cp)

Semester 1 and Semester 2
This is the most suitable unit for undergraduates.
Coursework and Internship placement over a semester

Principal Lecturer: Dr Hutchison

Syllabus: The coursework component is a weekly seminar on current issues in public policy. The Internship placement will be for approximately two and a half days a week over a ten week period, and will be backed by a two-hour weekly workshop.

Assessment: A research report to a maximum of 8000 words; an oral presentation; and a reflective essay.

Internship B    INTN3002

(8cp)

Semester 1 and Semester 2 and Inter-Semester X2 (Winter)
This unit is especially suitable for Honours students or those completing joint degrees.
Orientation, then Internship placement for ten weeks.

Principal Lecturer: Dr Hutchison

Syllabus: The Internship placement will be for approximately two and a half days a week over a ten week period, and will be backed by a two-hour weekly workshop.

Assessment: A research report to a maximum of 8000 words; an oral presentation; and a reflective essay.

Internship C    INTN3003

(16cp)

Semester 1 and Semester 2 and Inter-Semester X2 (Winter)
This unit is especially suitable for Honours students or those completing joint degrees.
Orientation, then Internship placement for ten weeks

Principal Lecturer: Dr Hutchison

Syllabus: The Internship placement will be for approximately four days a week over a ten week period, and will be backed by a two-hour weekly workshop.

Assessment: A research report to a maximum of 15,000 words; an oral presentation; and a reflective essay.