Introduction

The Department of Political Science and International Relations believes that internships are an important component of the major and we offer students many different opportunities to find interesting and rewarding internships. Not only do internships allow you to put your interest in politics or international relations to work in a practical setting, but you can also learn about career opportunities and develop contacts with people who can help you decide how to get the type of job you seek – all while you earn academic credit. Whether you want to work as an intern in the San Diego area or whether you want to pursue an internship in Washington, D.C., we have established a set of programs and affiliations that will allow you to pursue your individual interests and goals.

For those of you interested in an internship in Washington, D.C., we encourage you to utilize the Washington Center program. Because we have established an official affiliation with the Washington Center, students are able to intern in Washington, D.C. for the Fall, Spring, or Summer terms and still earn USD academic credit. Students who intern in the Fall or Spring will earn 12 units of academic credit and those who intern in the Summer will earn 9 units of academic credit.

In addition to internship opportunities, we also encourage students to participate in academic seminars in Sacramento or Washington, D.C.. Each of these seminars provides students with the opportunity to learn first-hand from government and non-governmental leaders. To learn more about these seminars, see the links below or contact Professor Gary Gray for information about the California Seminar and Mike Williams, Ph.D., for information about the Washington Center Seminar.

If you are interested in an internship through the Washington Center program or the Washington Center Seminar, please contact Mike Williams at jmwilliams@SanDiego.edu or 260-4012. For all other internship possibilities and the California Government Seminar, please contact Gary Gray at ggray@SanDiego.edu or 260-7980.

Regardless of what you think you may want to do, take advantage of these many opportunities and plan early with your advisor to make an internship a part of your academic experience.

Political Science Internship Requirements

Student must...

• be at least a second semester sophomore in good class standing.
• contact Professor Gary Gray, Internship Coordinator for the Department of Political Science & International Relations.
• enroll in Poli Sci 198 for academic credit after receiving permission from Professor Gary Gray.

Political Science Internship Details

The internship is offered for variable credit (1-6) units. The number of units which will be assigned to an internship will depend upon the amount of time and effort required by the specific internship and will be approved by the internship coordinator. The normal internship would be for 3 units, which requires a minimum of 120 hours of field work. The maximum number of internship units that a student may take is 6 units. Specific internship assignments vary each semester depending upon availability. Possibilities range widely and might include working in a local Congressional office, a Senatorial office, or the Governor's office handling constituency affairs and tracking legislation. There are also potential placements with public policy groups, political campaigns, and law-related internships. Contact the Political Science & International Relations Department or Professor Gary Gray for a current list of placements and to explore options.

Washington D.C. Internship

Student must...

• be at least a second semester sophomore in good class standing.
• contact Mike Williams, Washington Center Advisor for the Washington Center Internship and Academic Seminars Program.
• complete the Washington Center Internship application (contact Williams for an application or see the Washington Center website for more information http://www.twc.edu).

The Washington Center has been paving the way for future politicians and lawmakers since 1975. The Center provides young college students the opportunity to experience, first hand, the business of running this nation. The Washington Center pioneered the development of full-time internships in the nation's capital worthy of a full semester's academic credit. Nationally recognized for its contributions to experimental education, The Washington Center's unique format provides you with a comprehensive experience, enabling you to take full advantage of the resources of Washington D.C. For more information on this program, please contact Mike Williams at jmwilliams@SanDiego.edu or call him at 260-4012, or visit The Washington Center website at http://www.twc.edu. Students can participate in the Washington Center Internship Program during the Fall, Spring, or Summer terms. For the Fall or Spring semesters, students will earn 12 units of academic credit and for the Summer term students will earn 9 units of academic credit. Because the University of San Diego is officially affiliated with the Washington Center, students enroll for classes through the University of San Diego and are able to utilize their financial aid and/or scholarship funds. In addition, the Washington Center offers a variety of scholarships for students who meet the eligibility requirements. While in Washington, D.C. students will spend approximately 30-35 hours a week at their internship and will earn 6 units of internship credit. Students will also enroll in a course offered by the Washington Center, and approved by the Washington Center Campus Advisor, for 3 units of credit. This course meets once a week for three hours during the course of the term. Finally, for those students participating during the Fall or Spring semesters, you will enroll in an additional 3 unit independent study course with the Washington Center Campus Advisor. For political science and international relations majors, a majority of the units you earn while in Washington, D.C. can count towards your major.

(See example HERE)

For students who are not political science or international relations majors, it is possible to arrange your schedule to meet your specific academic needs with the approval of your department and advisor.

If you are interested in participating in the Washington Center Internship Program, you need to plan ahead and keep these deadlines in mind:

*If you wish to intern at the U.S. Attorney's Office, the U.S. Department of Justice, or the U.S. Department of State, you need to apply no later than the early deadline.

Washington Center Academic Seminar

The Washington Center Academic Seminar takes place each January in Washington, DC. The Department of Political Science and International Relations offers an intersession course (PS 141) which enables students to earn 3 units of credit for attending this seminar. Over the last ten years, hundreds of USD students have taken advantage of this opportunity and have come back to USD with a better appreciation of American politics and history. During the two-week seminar, students hear from a host of politicians, journalists, lobbyists, political consultants and academics who focus on contemporary political issues. In addition, each day of the seminar students visit specific sites in DC where they can learn more about different career opportunities and the political process. To participate in this seminar students must be at least a second semester sophomore in good class standing, complete the Washington Center Academic Seminar Application (see Mike Williams), and enroll in the course after receiving permission from Mike Williams. Housing is provided free of charge by the Washington Center but students are responsible for any additional travel expenses.

California Government Seminar

Professor Gary Gray accompanies interested students for a three day Seminar on California Government and Politics that is held in the State Capitol in Sacramento, California. This seminar takes place in the spring semester and is normally held during the last Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday in February. Students have the opportunity to meet with state legislators, legislative and executive staffers, lobbyists, and journalists who discuss their role in government and current issues in California politics. Students tour the capitol building, attend legislative hearings, meet state legislators who represent our community in San Diego and have dinner with USD alumni working in California government. Contact Professor Gray for more information.

You may receive 1 unit of PS 448 or 498 Internship credit.

Making the Decision

Take your first steps towards a prosperous career.

To receive information on Washington Center Internships, contact Mike Williams in PJ 286B or e-mail him at jmwilliams@SanDiego.edu. To receive more information about other Internships, please visit the Department of Political Science & International Relations Office in PJ 261 or e-mail Gary Gray (Internship Coordinator) at ggray@SanDiego.edu or call him at 260-7980.