Internship Programs

The Department of Political Science Internship Program is designed to ensure that motivated political science students can take advantage of the academic and professional benefits of a university-recognized internship.  The department offers five internship program options:
  • Michigan Government Semester Program
    The Michigan Government Semester Program (MGSP) is offered every Spring semester.  This program is open to students interested in an intensive, semester long study of Michigan Government and Politics taught at the Michigan state capitol.  The MGSP focuses on the study of Michigan government and politics and development of professional experience and skills for a career in or related to public service.  This program requires enrollment in six (6) credits of PLS 494, as well as two (2) sections of PLS 422 for four (4) credits each.

    VISIT PROGRAM
  • Public Service Internship Program

    The Public Service Internship Program (PSIP) is offered during the Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters.  This program focuses on providing undergraduate students an opportunity to secure an internship within their field of interest.  The program provides the student with work experience to give them a realistic exposure to a public service opportunity.  It allows students to enroll in variable credits of PLS 494.

    VISIT PROGRAM

  • InnovateGov Program
    InnovateGov partners MSU students with Detroit governmental agencies and nonprofits working on the City’s most pressing social challenges. The goal is to provide these entities with additional capacity while allowing students an opportunity to tackle high-impact projects that contribute to a thriving and equitable future for all Detroit residents. Students are housed at Wayne State University and enroll in PLS 422 for four (4) credits and between three (3) and six (6) internship credits.  

    VISIT PROGRAM

  • Legal Internship Program

    The Legal Internship Program is offered during the Summer semester with PLS 392 in the Spring semester prior.  This program focuses on providing students thinking about a career in law with an opportunity to work in the legal environment, under the supervision of licensed lawyers, on actual cases before applying to law school.

    VISIT PROGRAM

  • Post an Internship/Job for Our Students

    Thank you for your interest in advertising your internship or job with our Michigan State University political science students. If you would like to reach our Department's 750+ undergraduate and graduate students by posting your internship or job, please send the position description to our departmental internship coordinator, Professor Marty Jordan, at jordan61@msu.edu. We will share the posting via our bi-weekly newsletter or Facebook internship pages.  

    The position description should include a summary of the duties and responsibilities, any required skills or experience for the position, instructions on how to apply, any website information, and contact information for the person posting if students have any questions. Here is a sample position description:

    "INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY: Rep. Smith is currently seeking students interested in learning more about campaigning and effective public communications. Student interns will gain invaluable knowledge about the democratic process and work to become adept communicators through hands-on experience with elected officials, candidates, and the general public. Hours are flexible, but students must commit to at least 12 hours per week through August 8th and are responsible for their transportation. Interns will be expected to assist the campaign with field organizing, digital organizing, canvassing, and phone banking activities. Students can apply by sending a cover letter and resume to Rep. Smith at exampleemail@gmail.com. Find more information about the position here: www.exampleinternship.com."

    Please contact our internship coordinator, Professor Jordan, at jordan61@msu.edu with any questions or for additional information.

  • Browse Recent Internship Postings

    This link will take you to the most recent internship postings that are shared on our Facebook account and in our biweekly newsletters.

    https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pIrVp_y9w3oGXHC5eNvYnhJq0nF9CygEGJWqvxTkS4E/edit?usp=sharing

 

Michigan Government Semester Program students tour the state Capitol building in Lansing. Photography by Jackie Belden Hawthorne, College of Social Science.

Internship Programs