Political Science and Public Administration Internship Guidelines

To receive course credit, you must enroll in POL or PBAD 499 (Internship in Government). This is a variable-credit (3-9) course, though most interns take 3 credits.

POL 499 has three components:

1. Work Activity

   You will need to complete at least 100 hours of work for your host agency for every three credits sought (e.g., three credits = 100 hours; six credits = 200 hours; etc.). We expect the bulk of your work will occur at the agency's home office, but it may be conducted elsewhere if your supervisor directs otherwise.

2. Journal Reports

   Every one to two weeks (depending upon the duration of your placement), you will need to email a report of one and a half to two pages. Each report should contain:

   1. A detailed description of your internship activities during that period.
   2. Reflections on those activities. This can include candid (and confidential) observations about the host agency, satisfying and frustrating moments, interesting experiences, and anything else you might think of.
   3. Comment on similarities (or conflicts) with what you've learned in your POL or PBAD courses.
      
      

3. Research Paper

   By the end of the semester, you will need to submit an 8-10 page research paper. The topic will have some connection with the work you are doing or with other operations of your host agency. You will be expected to integrate what you've learned from your internship, what you've learned from your coursework, and additional research.

   By the mid-point of the internship, you will need to submit a formal proposal, to include a clear statement of your topic; a preliminary outline; and some initial identification of sources (host agency documents, outside documents, interviews, etc.); and speculation about possible connections with your POL or PBAD coursework. The final paper should run eight to ten double-space pages.

Compensation

Our internships are typically unpaid; any stipend must be arranged directly with your host agency.