GPSI Application Information

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.

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.

“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

The application process for the Graduate Public Service Internship Program is detailed below under the links for domestic students and international students. To apply, please click the appropriate link for you below. This application also allows you to apply for the Graduate Assistantship (GA) program as well. Applicants can choose to apply for both the Graduate Assistantship and Graduate Public Service Internship programs simultaneously, however, once an applicant has accepted a position, they are no longer eligible to be considered for the other program’s applicant pool. If you’re unsure which program may fit your academic and professional goals, please reach out to our office to talk about your options and interests.

Domestic Students

• If you have not yet applied for graduate study at UIS, this must be done first. Apply for graduate study at UIS.
• 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 using your 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.

Reference Letters: You must have three (3) reference letters dated within the past 18 months submitted on your behalf; two from faculty who are familiar with your academic work and one from a current or former employer.

Your reference letters must be be uploaded from the letter writer to the online application form. It is helpful that they be addressed to Office of Graduate Intern Programs, but is not required. The letter must be sent by the reference, not the GPSI applicant. The letter must be on the reference’s university or business letterhead.

Resume:  You must submit a current resume.  Please upload your resume to the online application portal.

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

International Students

• If you have not yet applied for graduate study at UIS, this must be done first. Apply for graduate study at UIS.
  • 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 this link will be sent with the subject "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 your 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.

Reference Letters: You must have three (3) reference letters dated within the past 18 months submitted on your behalf; two from faculty who are familiar with your academic work and one from a current or former employer.

Your reference letters must be be uploaded from the letter writer to the online application form. It is helpful that they be addressed to Office of Graduate Intern Programs, but is not required. The letter must be sent by the reference, not the GPSI applicant. The letter must be on the reference’s university or business letterhead.

Resume:  You must submit a current resume.  Please upload your resume to the online application portal. We do not allow resumes to be updated once submitted.

• Proof of F-1 Visa, Springfield Address, & 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 to Springfield, please email gpsimail@uis.edu notifying our office with your local address and telephone number.
• Graduate Admission Notice: The GPSI office receive a copy of your UIS “Notice of Graduate Admission” form from the UIS Admissions office.  This is a required component of your GPSI/GA applicant file, however, we will request this document on your behalf.  As soon as your GPSI/GA application is received in our office, we request this form from the UIS Admissions office for your GPSI/GA applicant file.