Description of Program
Requirements
Selection Process
Academic Credit for Interns
Sponsors
The Sara Katherine Ullman Memorial Internship
The Department of Political Science at Ohio University coordinates the public affairs internship program both for undergraduate and graduate students. The program is designed to expand and strengthen classroom experience by giving students the opportunity to apply what they learned in class to practical situations. The program is valuable for students interested in careers in politics, the public service, or law. It allows students to gain a better understanding of what really is entailed in such work, to learn some of the practical skills needed to be successful, and to make contacts which can be useful in the future.
The internship program encompasses a variety of local, state, and federal agencies and private organizations. The program is designed to assist public, non-profit, and private agencies by providing them with bright, young, volunteer personnel while simultaneously offering practical experience to students considering a particular career option.
The eligibility requirements for the internship program are:
- Junior, senior, or graduate standing
- Political Science or related major or minor
- At least a 3.0 g.p.a.
- Student at Ohio University
Internship Requirement
MPA students acquire experience working for a public, non-profit or private sector organizations in a policy or administrative capacity. This is done by taking POLS 595, Public Affairs Internship Program, for a minimum of 5 credit hours. The amount of credit received for the internship can range from 5 to 15 hours depending on the time spent on the job, but only a maximum of 10 hours may be counted toward the 70 hour MPA degree requirement if no other independent study or readings courses are counted toward the MPA 70 hour requirement.
Before registering for POLS 595, the student should discuss the kinds of internships available with the Internship Director, locate an internship that fits the student's career objectives as closely as possible, and secure the approval of the internship director. Students can take the initiative in developing an internship as long as it is approved by the Internship Director. The internship should only be taken following significant progress toward completion of the MPA degree.
The internship requirement can be waived by the Internship Director if the student has significant prior administrative experience, or is currently on leave from an administrative position. If the internship director waives the requirement, the student must take additional course work. The student may also receive internship credit with the permission of the Internship Director if proper arrangements can be made with the agency for which the student is currently working. Internship credit will not be given for prior administrative experience.
The Public Affairs Internship is particularly useful in identifying possible careers in the public service or private organizations. Faculty work with students in identifying job opportunities and maintain an active alumni network. The University's Career Services office is the major source of information and assistance during the job search process.
The Department has a good record with the placement of graduates. Recent MPA graduates have gone on to work at the Ohio Legislative Budget Office and Office of Budget and Management, Ohio Department of Development, Maryland Commission for Higher Education, Grange Mutual Insurance Company, Ohio General Assembly, Office of the Governor, Ohio Department of Health, ILGARD and local private non-profit agencies. Placement, of course, depends on a well organized and on-going search by the student, an individual's academic record and experience, the current job market, and other factors.
The Department has also operated public administration programs at Ohio University's regional campuses since 1979 for in-service students. Students have upgraded their knowledge and skill levels for their jobs or gone on to other jobs as a result of their participation in these programs.
Consideration is given to the student's g.p.a., major or minor, past experiences, career interests, and references. This is to ensure that the sponsoring agencies receive the most suitable and qualified interns available. The internships are awarded on a quarterly basis. The final appointment of the prospective intern depends on the approval of the sponsoring agency or organization. The intern is expected to meet the guidelines established by the sponsoring agency (i.e. with respect to dress, work habits, hourly schedule, etc.).
Students may receive academic credit through POLS 495 or POLS 595 for internships according to the following formula:
Final evaluation of the internship is made by the intern's sponsor and by the program director.
Undergraduates wishing to gain credit for the experience of working on a political campaign can take POLS 390, Political Workshop, in the fall quarter of even numbered years. Graduate students in the MPA program are required to complete an internship if they have no prior administrative experience.
Over the years a wide variety of agencies and organizations have been willing to sponsor Public Affairs Program interns at the local, state and federal levels and even some abroad. Some of the sponsors include:
The family of Sara Katherine Ullman, a former student, has provided the Department of Political Science with an endowed summer internship for a student to work at the national headquarters of Amnesty International in Washington, D.C. This internship is awarded annually on a competitive basis. See internship director for details on how to apply for this internship.
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