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Political Science & GeographyGeography Internships


POLS|GEOG 368 Internship Guidelines


The internship program for political science and international studies is designed to offer students first hand experience in domestic and international professional settings. (government offices, non-governmental organizations, businesses, non-profit organizations, etc.)

Please familiarize yourself with the mechanics of enrolling and completing an internship by viewing the following items:


PREREQUISITES

  1. Junior or Senior standing with a grade point average of at least 2.0.
  2. Permission of Departmental Internship Coordinator before accepting a placement.
  3. Completion of this form:


REQUIREMENTS

All students enrolled in POLS/GEOG 368 are required to:

  • Complete the Internship Coordination Form
  • Work the required number of hours for 3 or 6 credits
  • Keep a time sheet
  • Keep a Daily/Weekly Journal
  • Complete a research paper
  • Complete the Form for Internship Site Evaluation of Intern.

Each requirement is described in more detail below:

Career Management Center

All students are advised to visit the Career Management Center (Webb 2202, tel. 683-4388) for full information on all internship possibilities and assistance in writing a resume.

Internship Coordination Form

Students must complete an Internship Coordination Form which is signed by the Internship Faculty Director. Once the student has accepted the placement, the Office Supervisor must sign the form and it must be returned to the Internship Faculty Director. The Student and Office Supervisor should keep a copy of the signed form.

Hours and Time Sheet

In most instances, an internship is taken for 3 credits. (special permission is required for 6 credits)

  • 135 hours are required for 3 credits and 270 hours for 6 credits.
  • The internship is available for Pass/Fail grading only.
  • Students must keep a time sheet documenting the number of hours completed. Your supervisor must sign your time sheet at the end of the internship to verify the number of hours.
  • Only those hours directly associated with your placement may be counted toward the internship. Library research associated with your research paper may not be counted toward your hours.

Journal

You must keep a daily/weekly internship journal (this will be decided in consultation with your internship faculty advisor) in which you discuss and analyze your internship experience. This journal should include both a description of your work and thoughts about what you are learning. Notes, reflections, insights, and experiences should be recorded.

Research Paper

This paper should be 8-10 pages for 3 credits and 12-15 pages for 6 credits.

  • Papers must have a title page, numbered pages, a bibliography, and footnotes.
  • Library sources must be used including books, journals, newspapers, and government documents.
  • The Internship Faculty Director will decide on the topic of the paper in consultation with the student. The research paper will relate to the intern experience.
  • The research paper is due the last day of classes at the end of the semester.

Grading

Students will be graded on both their academic performance (1/2) and their work evaluations (1/2). Office supervisors will be mailed an evaluation form by the Faculty Director at the end of the semester. Students must have a satisfactory work performance evaluation to receive a passing grade.



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