Political Science Internships

Overview

In the Political Science Program, students with at least a 2.0 GPA have the opportunity to participate in internships. Participating in internships gives students real-world work experience and helps them build connections in the field before graduating.

Note: all internships are governed by the Practicum and Internship Policy 3060.

Internship components

• Internships aligns with program learning outcomes
• Student experience is authentic to the discipline as a career
• Students are supported and prepared to secure and complete their internship
• Students complete multiple reflections
• Students receive feedback from their supervisors
• Students have a final culminating reflection project

The traditional process

1. If a student is interested in pursuing an internship, they should begin by submitting an Internship Interest Form. This form will connect them with an advisor who could help them identify potential internship opportunities and help them through the application process.
2. To prepare for an internship, a student should also consider attending Career Readiness Events.
3. A student will then begin identifying internship opportunities. For opportunities, they should consider referring to the list of Frequent Political Science Internships and refer to the list of current positions found on Handshake.
4. Once a student has identified internship opportunities, they should secure an internship offer.
5. Once they secure an offer and want to register their internship for academic credit, they should visit the Boise State University Internship Site to fill out the Internship Application for Academic Credit. It is located under Register for Academic Credit. Note that the internship coordinator and the community partner/supervisor have to approve the internship application.
6. For unpaid internships, students can also request financial support, if needed.
7. Once the internship is approved, the student will register for one of the following course designations, POLS 293/493/590. Note that for undergraduate students, only credits for POLS 493 will count towards the major.
8. Once the internship begins, the student will gain access to a Canvas site for the course, where they will complete a series of assignments to fulfill their internship requirements. These assignments include reflections and resume updates. All of the credit hours and assignments must be completed in the semester in which students are participating in the internship.
9. Note that all internships must align with the Political Science Program learning objectives (see catalog). And the Political Science Department expressly prohibits interns from engaging in direct lobbying during the internship period.

Capital Connection

Students in the Political Science Program have the opportunity to apply for internships in Washington, DC through the Capital Connection Program. The process to apply for the Capital Connection Program is different from the traditional internship option.

For more information, contact Charles Hunt, Ph.D.

Past Internships

Political Science students have interned for organizations throughout Idaho and the United States, such as the Idaho Governor’s Office, the Idaho State Legislature, the Ada County Court, the City of Boise, and various federal elected officials and federal agencies.

List of past internship experiences