Undergraduate Students
There are three eligibility requirements for undergraduates:
Your major/concentration must be one of the following:
Undergraduate Majors:
- Political Science
- Political Science Pre Law
- International Studies
Undergraduate students must have completed at least 57 credits, with at least 9 credits in Political Science and a 2.0 average in their Major. Consequently, the internship opportunity is open to Juniors and Seniors who have performed satisfactorily and completed at least 9 credits in their Major, with some course work completed in the area of internship interest.
You must enroll in one of the following:
PLSC493 Political Science Internship
Section 001: 3 Credits
Section 002: 6 Credits
Section 003: 9 Credits
Section 004: 12 Credits
Attainment of Semester Hours: The student is expected to work at the internship site for at least 40 hours for every semester hour to be earned. For example, a 6-credit internship would require that at least 240 hours be spent at the internship site during the course of the semester; while a 12-credit internship would require at least 480 hours.
Students should "intern" in their major, rather than minor field. The IUP maximum permitted for internship credits applicable to graduation requirements for all departments is 12 credits. No more than 6 credits of Internship credit counted toward the minimum required for the Major and no more than 3 credits in the Minor area. Occasionally, and with prior permission of the departments involved, internship credits can be "split" between two "Majors" or a "Major" and a "Minor."
Interns who are located in Washington DC may enroll in PLSC 480 - Seminar in Political Science
PLSC 480 Political Science Seminar
Section 001: 3 credits
Students who utilize The Washington Center or IEL - The Capital Experience for an internship placement may also earn three credits for a total of fifteen (15) by enrolling in a seminar through the center. The seminar would be counted as a free elective in Political Science.
Graduate Students
PLSC 698 Political Science Internship
Section 001: 3 Credits
Section 002: 6 Credits
A student in the Master of Arts in Public Affairs program may fulfill the 'directed research requirement' for his/her degree by participating in an internship related to his/her specialization. Three (3) credit hours are typically earned via an internship for a semester of full-time or part-time work, with or without compensation, to gain practical, professional experience in government, administration, and/or politics. In only exceptional circumstances, may six (6) credits be earned for a graduate internship.
Attainment of Semester Hours: The student is expected to work at the internship site for forty (40) hours for every semester hour to be earned. Students are encouraged to work as many hours as possible during the course of their internships to gain as much practical experience as possible.