Internship II MPA Specialization Management and Entrepreneurship

Course Objective

To apply the theoretical knowledge and practical skills acquired during
the theoretical part of the program to a practical research setting.
Depending on your specialisation this will be in the field of Management
and Entrepreneurship in the Health and Life Sciences, Policy in the
Health and Life Sciences, Communication in the Health and Life Sciences
or International Public Health. In contrast to the first internship, you
now have co-responsibility for the academic quality of your placement.
You have only one VU supervisor. Students take part in a research
project at the VU or elsewhere. Duration of the internship is 5 months
(30 EC).

Course Content

The internship is a compulsory part of the Master MPA. An internship
placement must provide the student with the opportunity to learn how to
conduct research under supervision. An internship typically has three
phases.
In the first phase, you write your research proposal consisting of an
introduction, background, theoretical/conceptual framework, research
questions and your research methodology.
In the second phase, you collect your (qualitative and/or quantitative)
data.
In the third phase, you do your final analysis and present your findings
both orally and in a report. The evaluation week is a compulsory part of
this third phase. Aim of this week is to reflect practice back to
theory.
Internships can be conducted at various locations such as the Ministry
of Health, Welfare and Sports, the Nederlandse Mededingingsautoriteit,
the Health Council, medical organizations such as the municipality
health service (GGD), hospitals, consultancies, the (pharmaceutical)
industry and several research institutes, such as universities or e.g.
the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM).
Consultancy companies, hospital staff departments and ICT firms / start
ups are equally interested in you.
You can also conduct your internship abroad. The first and third phase
of your internship will still take place in the Netherlands, to ensure
the quality and learning experiences.

Additional Information Teaching Methods

Work-based placement

Method of Assessment

Written report and oral presentation.
Within six weeks after the start of the master internship, an interim
evaluation will take place to assess whether there is a reasonable
chance of the placement being brought to a successful completion.
The internship is supervised and assessed by two lecturers. Both
lecturers are members of the academic staff at VU University Amsterdam.
The day-to-day supervision can be carried out by a trainee research
assistant (AIO), postdoc or researcher.

Additional Information Target Audience

Students from the MSc MPA year 2

Additional Information

Participation in this compulsory component is only permitted if the
student meets the relevant requirements for admission. These
requirements are detailed in the Internship guideline MPA (on
Canvas) and in the Academic and Examination Regulations.
The work-based placement is subject to the document: “Student
placement (internship) and literature regulations”. These regulations
require detailed written agreements between supervisors and student that
specify the conditions for the Master research project. This agreement
should be sent for approval by the MPA specialisation coordinator
at least two weeks before the planned start of the work-based placement.
If the proposal is of sufficient quality, you can start your internship.
If not, you’ll need to adapt your proposal and send it for approval
again. You can only start your internship after your research design has
been approved.

Information on Master internships is made available on Canvas.

Explanation Canvas

Information about internship opportunities, the visiting hours of the
specialization coordinator and specific tips, training and intervision
opportunities and meetings will be available on Canvas.