L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs

Host a Fellow

The Wilder Graduate Scholars Fellowship connects outstanding graduate students with state agencies, public interest firms and nonprofit agencies for a full academic year. Fellows are competitively selected from the school's master’s programs in Criminal Justice, Public Administration, Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, and Urban and Regional Planning.

Employers select qualified students through a rigorous application process. Employers interview screened applicants and work together with program staff to find the student match that best fits the organization’s needs.

Timeline and schedule

• Fall and early spring semesters: Program staff meet with potential employers.
• March: Students submit fellowship applications.
• April: Program staff conducts initial intake interviews to screen applicants from our four master's programs and to identify highly qualified candidates.
• May: Confirmed host agencies begin reviewing candidates and conducting interviews.
• May and June: Fellowship placements for the upcoming academic year are finalized.
• August: Orientation for Fellows takes place in early August, with employment beginning in mid-August.
• Mid-August to mid-May: Fellows work 20 hours per week with their host employer while enrolled full-time as graduate students.

Fellows work on special projects and provide program support for 20 hours a week for nine months (mid-August through mid-May) — a total of 760 hours over the course of 38 weeks.

Classes are held during the late afternoon and evening, which allows Fellows to work during the day. 

Service-Learning Course

The Wilder Fellowship service-learning course is a required component of the program. Fellows are encouraged to structure their schedules to accommodate:

• One credit for the required service-learning course (GVPA 693) in the fall
• Two credits for the required service-learning course (GVPA 693) in the spring
• Additional coursework as determined by individual academic plans

Fellows are required to work an average of 20 hours per week at their placement throughout the academic year, in addition to maintaining full-time graduate student enrollment (9+ credit hours per semester).

Students are encouraged to consult their academic advisors to confirm how GVPA 693 fits within their degree requirements.

Research and analysis expertise 

Many Fellows have professional experience and significant skills in research design, public finance and budgeting, statistical analysis, geographical information systems, policy analysis, program evaluation, human resources, incident planning and response, or other key areas of public and nonprofit management.

The 2024-25 cost for a Wilder Graduate Scholars Fellow to work in an organization is an estimated $32,752 which includes $17,252 for full-time, in-state master’s tuition and fees (2024-25 academic year) and a $15,500 stipend. We provide support for your agency's administrative paperwork and payroll details.

Learn more

For more information on hosting a fellow, contact Lindsey Evans, Ph.D., acting director and assistant professor, at evansll@vcu.edu or wilderfellows@vcu.edu .