Internship Program

Click here to read a welcome note from the PLS internship coordinator.

The Summer 2013 deadline for submitting an Internship Application is April 2013. (Note: Please place completed applications in the PLS 494 mailbox located in 303 South Kedzie Hall).  Please contact William Isaac at isaacwil@msu.edu with questions regarding the internship program. 

Still looking for an internship? Check out our List of Internship Opportunities.

WHAT AN INTERNSHIP IS

An internship is an out-of-the-classroom experience designed to augment a student’s regular course of study. An internship should provide a student with the opportunity to experience the type of work done by those in the student’s chosen field.

An internship is not a job: full or part-time employment does not offer the same learning opportunities as an internship. Although paid internships are permissible, it is difficult to distinguish between part-time employment (which is prohibited) and a paid internship. Paid employment typically involves different supervisor-employee relationships, different objectives, and less structured learning than does an internship. As such, the internship coordinator must verify that a paid internship is designed primarily as a learning experience for such an internship to qualify for PLS 494 credits.

PLS 494 is not an opportunity for free credits. The demands of an internship are rigorous: the hours are long, the deadlines are short, and the margins for error are minimal. Unlike in the classroom, actual policy and political decisions that affect several people may depend upon your quality of work. The academic requirements of PLS 494 are equivalent to a 400-level class with a corresponding workload.

The benefits of PLS 494, in addition to academic credits, will vary based on the performance and motivation of each intern. Dedication to one’s internship placement, individual responsibility, and professional behavior will determine the quality of one’s experience. It is incumbent on each intern to make the most of this valuable opportunity.
PROGRAM PREREQUISITES

Submitting an application for PLS 494 does not guarantee acceptance. In order to qualify for this program, three academic criteria must be met:

  • Interns must be PLS undergraduate students at Michigan State University
  • Interns must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50 at the time of application
  • Interns must have completed 56 credits by the start of their internship

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
There are two components of PLS 494: the academic component and the practical internship component. Students who choose to apply to this program are responsible for the successful completion of the requirements of the department and of their internship.

ACADEMIC COMPONENT

In order to receive credit for PLS 494, students must ensure that that they adhere to the academic guidelines for the course.

  • Interns must agree to work 3 hours per week for each credit they are seeking; interns must register for 3 to 6 credits
  • Interns must complete all assignments for this class, submit all hours worked, and complete all evaluation materials
  • Interns must adhere to all posted dates and deadlines – no late assignments will be accepted
The number of credits which a student can earn for PLS 494 varies according to the number of weekly internship hours. Each credit is equivalent to 3 hours of weekly work: students can earn 3 credits (9 weekly hours), 4 credits (12 weekly hours), 5 credits (15 weekly hours), or 6 credits (18 weekly hours). Students must determine the number of credits they will register for in advance, and ensure that their credits are equivalent to the number of weekly internship hours. In order to verify this, all interns must submit logs of their time worked.
All students will be required to complete writing assignments throughout the semester intended to enhance the practical experience of the internship. While the class is graded on a PASS / NO CREDIT basis, any assignments not up to the standards expected of an upper-level undergraduate student will result in a student being dismissed from the program and receiving a grade of NO CREDIT.

INTERNSHIP COMPONENT

Students are responsible for securing their own internship placements. Generally, this placement can be in a variety of areas within the following guidelines:

  • Internships must be related to government, politics, policy, law, civil society, or public service
  • Typically only one MSU political science student per semester may serve in a particular office and receive credit for PLS 494 – granting an exception to this rule is at the internship coordinator’s discretion
  • Internship credit will not be given for full or part-time jobs
  • All internships must be approved by the internship coordinator
Finding a Placement

Much like in the political job market, no single list of openings for interns exists. Finding a superior internship will require research and legwork on your part. The MSU Department of Political Science maintains an ongoing listing of internship postings on its List of Internship Opportunities page. The resources of the MSU and State of Michigan Libraries are also helpful in developing a list of possible placements.

When you apply for internships, be prepared to submit a typed and professionally presented résumé, cover letter, writing sample, and/or a list of references (including name, contact information, and relationship). In addition, you may be invited for an interview. During the interview, ensure that you present yourself professionally, and do not be afraid to ask questions to determine what type of work you will be doing. You may choose to contact the internship coordinator to determine if any potential placements are satisfactory before accepting a position.

Once You Have Secured a Placement

After securing the internship placement, it is your responsibility to arrange the details of your internship with your supervisor (i.e. your employer). You must establish a schedule that allows you to work at least three hours per week for each credit you are seeking. In addition, you should discuss with your supervisor any time off you will require (such as spring or holiday breaks), when the internship will end (you should work up until the final day of classes listed in the MSU academic calendar), and what your specific duties will be during the semester. Please forward any questions or concerns about arranging the details of the internship to the internship coordinator.


REGISTRATION INFORMATION

PLS 494 is not an open enrollment course. All students intending to enroll in PLS 494 for internship credits must receive an override from the internship coordinator and will then be enrolled by the department. Prior to receiving an override, a student must obtain an internship, submit an application for PLS 494, and meet the course requirements. Please note: a student must obtain an internship prior to submitting an application for PLS 494.