You will receive 24 credit hours per academic year, including the summer term.  If you are an out-of-state or international student, you will be responsible for the tuition difference between out-of-state and in-state tuition costs.  GPSI does not cover program tuition differential rates. Please check with your program of study to see if they have a tuition differential.

Due to the internship time component of the GPSI program, interns are required to register for a minimum of eight (8) credit hours for the fall and spring terms to be classified as a full-time degree seeking student. Registration for the summer term is optional. This policy applies to both domestic and international interns.

Yes. To be eligible for the GPSI applicant pool, your cumulative undergraduate GPA must be at least 2.50 and if you have a graduate GPA established, it must be at least a 3.0 or higher. You must also be in good academic standing with the university and have no incomplete grades on file. Please note that most applicants actually selected have GPAs between 3.00 and 4.00. If you have already earned an advanced degree, you are still welcome to apply. GPSI interns must maintain a 3.00 GPA for continued participation in the program.

As a GPSI intern, you will have the opportunity for an internship experience that is compatible with your academic background, graduate program, and skills. Historically, GPSI interns have completed challenging work in the areas of economic forecasting, grant writing, research, writing press releases, preparing television public service announcements, marketing, statewide conference management, newsletter production, environmental research on endangered species, website development, computer programming, database development and management, statewide audits, and public health research.

Yes; applications are currently being accepted without proof of F-1 visa status. 

If you currently live abroad, we encourage you to complete your GPSI application file prior to arriving on the UIS campus for your first semester of study. Upon arrival on the UIS campus for the fall or spring semester, as a GPSI applicant you must check in with the GPSI office to verify your F-1 status and provide your local address and telephone number.

GPSI has opportunities for students living in and around the Springfield and Chicago areas. You must live within a commutable distance to your internship for the duration of the placement to participate in the GPSI program. We currently do not have placements for online students located outside of the Springfield or Chicago areas. At this time, students enrolled in any College of Business and Management online programs are not eligible for GPSI placements.

Please be aware that if your graduate program has identified program prerequisite courses that must be completed prior to being fully admitted to the master’s degree program, you may not be eligible for the GPSI applicant pool until you have successfully completed some of the required prerequisite courses.   To be eligible for the GPSI applicant pool, you are allowed to have no more than four (4) prerequisite courses that still need to be completed.  If your GPSI applicant file is complete and it is determined that you have more than four (4) prerequisite courses remaining to be completed, your GPSI applicant file will be placed on “hold” in the GPSI office.

Since you must be admitted to graduate studies at UIS in order to be eligible for the GPSI applicant pool, it is important that you contact the academic program to determine specific admission requirements and application deadlines for the program. Some academic programs have additional admission requirements that may impact your GPSI file completion timelines. For academic program information, please visit the graduate education website.

Internship supervisors like to know about your background, how a GPSI internship would enhance your graduate education and professional development, and about how you can make a contribution to the agency. The personal goal statement section of the application is your chance to introduce yourself. If any document submitted as part of the application requirements to the GPSI program is determined to have been plagiarized or copied from another, without credit being given to the source, your GPSI file will be immediately removed from the applicant pool.

You may be required to submit a goal statement for your academic program as part of the program’s application process. The academic program goal statement is in addition to the required GPSI goal statement.

Your file is complete once we have received your GPSI application, resume, three professional references (faculty who are familiar with your academic work or a current/former employer),  and notice of graduate admission. The GPSI office will request your notice of graduate admission from the UIS Office of Admissions. Please see Apply to GPSI for complete application instructions.

GPSI holds numerous rounds of hiring throughout the year.  Please check the Interviews > Interview Logistics tab for the latest round of hiring information.

The Graduate Public Service Internship Program is a twenty-one (21) month internship that gives you the opportunity for experiential learning through a public sector internship while earning a master’s degree from the University of Illinois Springfield. The GPSI internship coincides with your full-time study in one of 20 graduate programs offered at the University of Illinois Springfield. Depending on the intern’s academic program requirements for degree completion, some GPSI internships can be less or more than 21 months.

Endorsement cost depends on the endorsement, credit hours, level, residency, delivery format, and fees. View the Tuition and Fees page for more details on cost for upcoming terms and/or contact the School of Education.

UIS licensure cost depends on the program, residency, delivery format, credit hours needed, and fees. For teacher licensure, UIS audits your transcripts after admission to determine remaining requirements. View the Tuition and Fees page for more details on cost for upcoming terms and/or contact the School of Education.

Graduate certificate cost depends on credit hours, program, residency, delivery, and fees. View the Tuition and Fees page for more details on cost for upcoming terms. 

ECCE (Engaged Citizenship Common Experience) Global Awareness credit is offered on the majority of Study Away programs. These credits are typically needed by UIS undergraduate students and fulfill general credits.

The “best” time depends on the program requirements and program type. The first opportunity to study away is the summer after completing the entire freshman year (two semesters). Most students participate during their sophomore or junior year to ensure degree progress and academic flexibility.

Students apply through the EngageU portal. Major tasks include uploading a copy of their passport and electing someone to serve as their recommender.

Yes, students may participate multiple times, provided they meet eligibility and academic requirements for each program.

All international travelling students are required to enroll in U of I system health and safety insurance. Some programs may require additional insurance.

Program costs depend on the program type. Exchange & NSE programs charge UIS student tuition. Short-term programs fees, not including tuition start at about $3,500.

Students are encouraged to start planning at least 6–9 months in advance to meet application, passport, and scholarship deadlines.

Yes, Study Away enhances your résumé, builds global connections, and may include internship or service-learning options.

Students are encouraged to present at campus events, share blogs, or participate in Study Away promotional activities.

No, most programs offer courses in English, though language skills can enhance your experience and immersion.