Department Internships POLT 602 A-D
Internships provide field experience in a governmental or nongovernmental organization at the local, state, national, or international level conducted with direct faculty supervision. Generally speaking, internships require 15 weekly hours on site during the academic semester for every four credits granted. Most approved internships are for four credits. Students have interned in various government agencies, private companies, political parties, political campaigns, and non-governmental organizations.
Applicants must first secure internship placement, complete the Internship Agreement, and gain the support of the appropriate faculty sponsor, who will review, comment, and sign off on the application. Applicants must submit to the Political Science Office all forms, and supporting materials by the first day of the pre-registration period prior to the semester the internship will be undertaken. Late applications will only be considered under special circumstances. Students must provide to the faculty sponsor all documentation which can be found under the Resources page. All students desiring to undertake an internship must:
- Be a junior or senior political science major
- Have a minimum GPA of 3.2 and be in good academic standing
- Have fulfilled the 400-level requirement and taken at least one upper level course in the subfield appropriate for the internship
- Must provide a current UNH academic transcript (unofficial is accepted)
Students cannot register for Polt 602 A-D until they receive Undergraduate Committee approval. Polt 602 A-D does not count toward any of the major’s four subfield course requirements. Only one graded internship and/or independent study with three (3) or more credits can be counted toward the Additional 500/600 major requirement.
The UNH Concord Internship
For more than 30 years, the Department of Political Science has offered UNH undergraduate students the opportunity to intern at the New Hampshire State House. The Concord Internship Program places students with the NH Senate, House of Representatives, or the Office of the Governor for the spring semester. As Concord Interns, students track legislation, conduct research on specific issues, attend legislative meetings and hearings as well as general court sessions, attend gubernatorial and executive council meetings, assist with the governor’s and legislators’ constituent services, and other activities. The Concord Internship Program gives students firsthand experience in all aspects of the legislative process, and the Office of the Governor. Students will also develop professional skills, apply academic theory, and gain an understanding of state government that cannot be taught in the classroom. Most important, Concord Interns have the opportunity to work for the state's decision makers and make connections that will benefit them long after graduation.
A limited number of internships are available, and are awarded on a competitive basis. Students with a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher and of junior or senior status are encouraged to apply. The internship requires students to be in Concord three days per week (generally Tuesday through Thursday), with some flexibility. Students also meet weekly for a practicum at the Durham campus.
POLT 602C Concord Internship Program is the academic course, for 12 credits on a credit-fail basis. Students may take any four-credit course (that does not conflict with the internship schedule) for a total of 16 credits. Only one graded internship and/or independent study can be counted toward the Additional 500/600 major requirement.
If you are interested in applying for the Concord Internship Program, please fill out the application that is located under the Resources page; if you have any questions please contact Tama Andrews in the Political Science Department (316 Horton SSC, 862-2321, tama.andrews@unh.edu.)
Washington Center Internship, Washington D.C.
All Washington Center students enroll in INCO 682.01 and receive 12 credits (fall or spring semester) or eight (8) credits (summer). Political science majors who wish to receive an additional four (4) credits for a grade must have UNH political science faculty sponsor and register for POLT 602B, which counts toward one of the 500-600 level additional requirement, but NOT toward the four (4) subfield requirements.
Requirements
- Major in Political Science (required only if you seek major credit)
- Junior or Senior standing at time of internship
- In good academic, financial, and judicial standing at UNH
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 (required only if you seek major credit, 2.75 otherwise)
- Research component to be discussed with faculty sponsor
For details on the Washington Center Internship, please contact:
Paula M. DiNardo
Study Away USA
106 Hood House
89 Main St.
University of New Hampshire
Phone: (603) 862-3485
Email: washington.internship@unh.edu
The Washington Center Short-Term Seminars
One- and two-week programs.
The Washington Internship Institute
Internships in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors offer first-hand knowledge and practical experience for all majors.
United States Congressional Internships
The New Hampshire State Society (NHSS)
The New Hampshire State Society (NHSS) of Washington DC offers stipends of up to $2,000 for New Hampshire college students with internships in the DC area. Internships may be with a Member of Congress, a Congressional Committee, a Federal or District of Columbia agency, the courts, or the private sector. To be eligible, students must be a New Hampshire resident and/or attending a New Hampshire university, have maintained a GPA of at least 2.5, and have completed the sophomore year by the time of the internship (graduating seniors are eligible). Application and deadline information can be found here: http://www.nhstatesociety.org/edstipendinfo.html.
The UNH Office of National Fellowships offers support with the NHSS Educational Opportunity Fund application. Students interested in pursuing this award can contact Fellowships Office Director Jeanne Sokolowski (jeanne.sokolowski@unh.edu).
Other Opportunities
UNH undergraduates have the opportunity to spend a semester in Boston in a rigorous 30+ hour per week internship with a leading social change organization (nonprofit, business, or public sector) – in community development, social justice, health, education, environment, and other areas dedicated to the public good. This 16-credit Semester in the City program includes an intensive evening course that examines the theory and practice of various social change approaches, and a series of Friday seminars and reflective workshops – thereby equipping a new generation of leaders who understand both direct and systemic approaches to social and environmental change.
