The Watson School offers exclusive opportunities for MPA students to gain hands-on experience with top local organizations during the fall semester. 

Through our partnerships with local policy organizations, this competitive internship program allows MPA students to directly apply their public policy, data analysis, and leadership skills to real-world community challenges—all while receiving a guaranteed stipend, fully-funded by the Watson School.  Selected students work under the direct supervision of a local partner organization for 12 hours per week from approximately September to December.

The MPA Research Fellowship program is a competitive professional development opportunity to build skills and subject matter expertise, while working closely with faculty, researchers and staff at the Watson School of International and Public Affairs and elsewhere at Brown on significant projects. MPA students selected for the program are matched with project teams in the School’s Centers, Initiatives, or faculty-led research groups at Watson or elsewhere within Brown. 

The MPA Program’s Student Advisory Group (SAG) serves as a bridge between the program team and the MPA student body. The group meets approximately monthly in the fall and spring semesters, and engages diverse student insights and experiences to help inform the MPA program's policies, programming, and climate. It also enables the MPA program team to provide updates and discuss ideas to strengthen the program. Student Advisory Group members also plan and host some social and community activities supported by a small community activity budget from the MPA the program.