POL 6500 Internship

Students choosing this option may gain experience in applied policy or administration by working for a minimum of 240 hours in a public, nonprofit, or private domestic or international organization that in some way deals with public policy. Examples include: local, state, or national government; legislative offices; law enforcement; legal firms; interest groups; advocacy groups; community organizations; international corporations. The internship can be taken in one semester, over the course of a summer, or can be broken up into two separate semesters. Students choosing the internship are required to meet with the program director (or internship coordinator) in the semester prior to seeking the internship to discuss professional interests and placement options. Internship students are required to keep a directed portfolio of their internship duties and experiences and to write a substantial paper (at least 35 pages) at the end of the internship that reflects on their internship experience using the concepts, frameworks, and theories they have studied in the classroom. The specific focus of the paper will be worked out in discussions with the program director (or internship coordinator). On-site internship supervisors will be required to submit an evaluation of the intern to the program director at the end of the internship.
Credits: 3.0