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Internships

Internships are an ideal way for students majoring in political science, criminal justice, international studies or public administration to get on-the-job experience and boost their resumes for the job market.  

Each student decides where they want to intern. In the past, students have worked with government agencies, police and sheriff departments, attorneys, postal inspectors and probation officers.

Our department offers three internship courses:

• PSC 496 -- Work in politics, public service or area within international studies;
  
  
• JUS 496 -- Supervised field work in law enforcement, courts and law, corrections or support services;
  
  
• PAD 496 and 696 -- Supervised work experience in public administration that may include research projects.  

After meeting with a faculty coordinator to discuss internship options, the student contacts a potential employer. If the employer agrees to supervise the intern, the necessary paperwork is completed and the faculty coordinator registers the student for the internship course. 

To obtain a passing grade, the following requirements must be completed:

• Work 12 to 15 hours per week for a 3-hour course credit;
• Agree on job responsibilities with the employer;
• Complete a statement of personal goals;
• Maintain a daily journal;
• Attend periodic meetings with the faculty coordinator;
• Complete an evaluation of the internship at the end of the semester.

Each internship course has different prerequisites that students must meet before enrolling in the class:

• JUS 496 --  12 semester hours of criminal justice coursework, 3 of which must be JUS 101, and consent of internship coordinator. 
   
• PSC 496 -- 9 semester hours of political science coursework, 3 of which must be upper-division American politics, and consent of internship coordinator.
  
  
• PAD 496 -- Consent of the internship coordinator.
  
  
• PAD 696 -- Admission to the MPA program and consent of the internship coordinator.