GPSI Application Information

a graduate in a cap and gown posing in front of a fountain

“The GPSI program is a valuable asset to UIS, I hope it continues to provide students with meaningful and positive experiences like mine was.”
Geoffrey Piehl, Auditor 1, Illinois Office of the Auditor General

To be considered for the GPSI program, applicants must first meet the following criteria, within the appropriate deadlines.

  • Apply and be at least conditionally admitted to a UIS graduate program.*
  • Submit the GPSI application.
    • The GPSI application will require inclusion of a resume, as well as three professional or academic references.

Once applicants have completed the above requirements, the GPSI office will review eligibility for the program based on these criteria:

  1. Must have an undergraduate cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
  2. Applicants who have completed any coursework at the graduate level must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
  3. Applicants who are conditionally admitted to a UIS graduate program with prerequisite course requirements as a condition of their admission can have no more than four (4) prerequisite courses yet to complete. Applicants who have more than 4 prerequisite courses will have their GPSI application placed on "hold."
  4. Applicants who are current graduate students must have a sufficient number of courses remaining in their academic program. This varies from program to program based on the number of credits required for program completion.

Some academic programs have special application and admission requirements, in addition to the standard UIS graduate admission requirements. Please visit the UIS graduate education website for specific academic program admission requirements and deadlines.

The application process for the GPSI program is detailed below for domestic students and international students.

Domestic Students

  • If you have not yet applied for graduate study at UIS, this must be done first: Apply for graduate study
  • If you are a current UIS graduate student or you have already applied for graduate studies at UIS and would like to apply for the Graduate Public Service Internship program, please proceed to the GPSI application. Access the GPSI application here. You will log in with the username and password created when you applied for admission to UIS.
    • If you've previously applied to GPSI, your application will only be kept on file for one year. You can reapply if you do not complete your application within one year.

References: You must provide three (3) professional references. These will be individuals who are willing to be contacted by hiring managers to speak about your qualifications. They can be faculty who are familiar with your academic work or a current/former employer.

Resume: You must submit a current resume. This can be uploaded to the online application portal.

Graduate admission notice: The GPSI office receives a copy of your UIS "Notice of Graduate Admission" form from the UIS Admissions office. This is a required component of your GPSI applicant file; however, we will request this document on your behalf. As soon as your GPSI application is received in our office, we request this form from the UIS Admissions office for your applicant file.

International Students

  • If you have not yet applied for graduate study at UIS, this must be done first: Apply for graduate study
  • If you are a current UIS graduate student or you have already applied for graduate studies at UIS and would like to apply for the Graduate Public Service Internship program, please proceed to the GPSI application.
    • If you were admitted to UIS through UIS Global, you are sent a unique link for your GPSI application upon confirming your enrollment at UIS. The email containing the link will be sent with the subject line "You may be eligible for a graduate internship at UIS."
    • If you were directly admitted to UIS, you may access the GPSI application here. You will log in using the username and password created when you applied for admission to UIS.
    • If you have previously applied to GPSI, your application will only be kept on file for one year. You can reapply if you do not complete your application within one year.

References: You must provide three (3) professional references. These will be individuals who are willing to be contacted by hiring managers to speak about your qualifications. They can be faculty who are familiar with your academic work or a current/former employer.

Resume: You must submit a current resume. This can be uploaded to the online application portal. We do not allow resumes to be updated once submitted, so please be sure it is as accurate and up-to-date as possible before submitting.

Proof of F-1 Visa, Springfield Address, and Local Phone Number: GPSI no longer requires that students possess an F-1 visa before their file can be considered eligible. As soon as you receive your F-1 visa and when you arrive in Springfield, please email gpsimail@uis.edu notifying our office with your local address and telephone number.

Graduate Admission Notice: The GPSI office receives a copy of your UIS "Notice of Graduate Admission" form from the UIS Admissions office. This is a required component of your GPSI applicant file; however, we will request this document on your behalf. As soon as your GPSI application is received in our office, we request this form from the UIS Admissions office for your applicant file.

Application Deadlines

Placement for GPSI internships occurs several times throughout the year. Applicants must be currently enrolled or planning to enroll in a UIS graduate program in order to be considered, in addition to meeting all application requirements by the corresponding deadline. Please check back for updated deadline information.

  • First Round - deadline - internship start date
  • Second Round - deadline - internship start date
  • Spring Round - deadline - internship start date