Political Science
Information for Students
Internships provide students with unique opportunities to apply what they learn and experience on campus in "real world" settings. Four different internships are available to undergraduate students. Learn more about these programs:
- Government Internships provide students with public sector experience at the local, state, and federal level.
- Legal Internships are designed for students considering law school. Students will work in a law firm or a local, state or federal court. Efforts are made to place students into internships that match their legal interests, but this cannot be guaranteed.
- Political Internships give students the opportunity to experience work in partisan politics, either working for the office of an elected official or on a political campaign.
- Human Rights Internships enable students to work for organizations or individuals advancing human rights. Commonly this takes the form of work with non-profit agencies.
The Washington Center Internship Program provides students with the complete experience of living and working in the Washington D.C. area. This semester long program places students in an internship while they take one additional academic class. Students also attend speaker series, professional development programs, and social and networking events. Possible placements include Congress, the White House, federal agencies, national party organizations, public interest groups and lobbying firms.
Credit is generally awarded in three semester hour increments. The internship coordinator and the department chair reserve the right to make exceptions to this policy as needed.
Internships for academic credit require that students complete a number of assignments. These assignments are listed on the internship contract that students and their supervisors sign at the beginning of the internship. A link to the contract can be found at right.
Some examples of recent student internship placements:
Governmental
- United States Department of Transportation
- Senator Sherrod Brown
- Senator Rob Portman
- Congressman Steve Austria
- Congressman Michael Turner
- Ohio Rep. Fred Strahorn
- Montgomery County Economic Development
- Montgomery County Commissioner’s Office
- Airman & Family Readiness at Wright Patterson AFB
- Ohio Aerospace Hub
- City of Trotwood
- City of Dayton
- City of Vandalia
- Hamilton County Job and Family Services
- Airman & Family Readiness Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base
- Dayton Public Schools
Political
- Obama for America
- Romney for President
- Sherrod Brown for Congress
- Sharon Neuhardt for Congress
- Michael Turner for Congress
- Ohio Republican Party
- Ohio Democratic Party
- Dayton Mayoral Candidate Races
Legal
- Montgomery County Clerk of Courts
- Miami Valley Fair Housing
- Advocates for Basic Legal Equality
- Various law firms
Non-Profit/Human Rights
- Catholic Social Services of the Miami Valley
- United Way of Greater Dayton
- Children’s Hospital of Dayton
- Children’s Hospital of Cincinnati
- Daybreak of Greater Dayton
- Boys & Girls Club of Dayton
- Abolition Ohio
- East End Community Center
- Wesley Center of Dayton
- UpDayton
- League of Women Voters
- Mathile Foundation
- UpDayton
- Welcome Dayton
- Bread for the World: Bread for the World is Christian in founding (interfaith), but we won't make you say any Hail Mary's before you get down to work. We're open to anybody who wants to help and our staff includes people with a wide range of life experience and religious beliefs (Christian and others). But if your Christianity is important to you, our intern program offers you a unique opportunity to combine your faith commitment with supervised learning, personal development and work experience to seek justice for those who are hungry in the United States and abroad. The program encourages participation from students, persons making career changes, retired professionals, professionals on sabbatical and persons beginning new career paths. Learn more about Bread for the World
- Anti-Slavery International: Anti-Slavery International, founded in 1839, is the world's oldest international human rights organization and the only charity in the United Kingdom to work exclusively against slavery and related abuses. We work at local, national and international levels to eliminate the system of slavery around the world. Internships at Anti-Slavery International tend to be more academic and project-led in content. Overseas applicants who are registered with a validated Student Exchange Scheme are invited to apply for an internship, (minimum three months). Most interns will either already have a degree, or will be enrolled in a Bachelors or Master’s program in a related subject. London-based students studying for a Master’s degree can complete an internship to complement their coursework. Learn more about Anti-Slavery International
- CARE: CARE is a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty. We place special focus on working alongside poor women because, equipped with the proper resources, women have the power to help whole families and entire communities escape poverty. Women are at the heart of CARE's community-based efforts to improve basic education, prevent the spread of HIV, increase access to clean water and sanitation, expand economic opportunity and protect natural resources. CARE also delivers emergency aid to survivors of war and natural disasters, and helps people rebuild their lives. CARE USA welcomes and encourages students who are interested in making a difference in the world to think about an internship. Where will an internship with CARE take you? Perhaps to a new location. Maybe toward new ideas. But most importantly, to a new level of experience. In your internship at CARE, you'll have the opportunity to make a difference in just a few months' time. You'll be able to take what you've learned in school and use it to make a real contribution to the eradication of poverty. Learn more CARE USA
- The International Rescue Committee: The International Rescue Committee is a critical global network of first responders, humanitarian relief workers, healthcare providers, educators, community leaders, activists, and volunteers. Working together, we provide access to safety, sanctuary, and sustainable change for millions of people whose lives have been shattered by violence and oppression. The IRC is on the ground in 25 countries, providing emergency relief, relocating refugees and rebuilding lives in the wake of disaster. Over the years, many who have made outstanding contributions to the IRC began their work with us as interns, volunteers and fellows. Learn more about IRC
- Oxfam America: Oxfam America is an international relief and development organization that creates lasting solutions to poverty, hunger, and injustice. Together with individuals and local groups in more than 120 countries, Oxfam saves lives, helps people overcome poverty, and fights for social justice. We are an affiliate of Oxfam International. Interns and volunteers play a key role at Oxfam America. Each year, more than 100 volunteers and interns in our Boston and Washington, DC offices log some 10,000 hours, expanding our capacity to achieve our mission to end poverty and suffering. Learn more about Oxfam America
- Jubilee USA Network: Jubilee USA Network is an alliance of more than 80 religious denominations and faith communities, human rights, environmental, labor, and community groups working for the definitive cancellation of crushing debts to fight poverty and injustice in Asia, Africa and Latin America. All internship applications are accepted on a rolling basis. We offer communications, development and grassroots internships. Learn more about Jubilee USA Network
- UNICEF: A limited number of internship opportunities are available in our New York City National Headquarters. The U.S. Fund for UNICEF does not have overseas internships. Placement is subject to the needs of the organization, and the skills and interests of the intern. Interns help in a variety of activities, including research, analysis, marketing, and communications. Interns also assist in general office support and special projects. Internship applications are accepted year-round. The U.S. Fund for UNICEF does not provide financial support for interns. All successful applicants are expected to make their own arrangements for travel, lodging and living expenses during the internship period. Learn more UNICEF USA
- United Nations Refugee Agency: Established by concerned American citizens, USA for United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, builds support in the United States for the humanitarian work of the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). Our mission is to inform Americans about the plight of refugees and advocate for their protection. We want to give individual Americans, frustrated by the growing refugee crisis and their own inability to do something to help, a way to put action behind their words. UNHCR provides protection, shelter, emergency food, water, medical care and other life-saving assistance to over 33 million people worldwide, who have been forced to flee their homes due to war and persecution. When possible, UNHCR helps refugees and other displaced people return to their homes voluntarily, safely, and with dignity. When return is not possible, the agency assists with local integration, or resettlement to a third country. We accept Intern applications on an ongoing basis: Interns with USA for UNHCR will gain valuable experience working with a non-governmental organization, while learning about the important work of the UN Refugee Agency. Specifically, interns will assist with day-to-day research, programmatic and administrative tasks. Learn more UN Refugee Agency
- Human Rights First: Human Rights First believes that building respect for human rights and the rule of law will help ensure the dignity to which every individual is entitled and will stem tyranny, extremism, intolerance, and violence. Human Rights First protects people at risk: refugees who flee persecution, victims of crimes against humanity or other mass human rights violations, victims of discrimination, those whose rights are eroded in the name of national security, and human rights advocates who are targeted for defending the rights of others. Human Rights First welcomes a limited number of interns in its Washington office throughout the year. Learn more about Human Rights First
- Human Rights Watch: Human Rights Watch is the largest human rights organization based in the United States. Human Rights Watch researchers conduct fact-finding investigations into human rights abuses in all regions of the world. Human Rights Watch then publishes those findings in dozens of books and reports every year, generating extensive coverage in local and international media. Human Rights Watch offers academic semester and summer internships for undergraduate students in our New York, London, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Brussels and Berlin offices. Learn more about Human Rights Watch
- Global Rights: Global Rights is a human rights advocacy group that partners with local activists to challenge injustice and amplify new voices within the global discourse. With offices in countries around the world, we help local activists create just societies through proven strategies for effecting change. Global Rights offers undergraduate, legal and other graduate internships. Each fall and spring, Global Rights program department offers part-time internships (16-20 hours per week). Summer internships are full-time and run for 10 weeks. Although our internships are unpaid, they may be taken for academic credit depending on school policies. Learn more about Global Rights
- Amnesty International: We are people from across the world standing up for humanity and human rights. Our purpose is to protect people wherever justice, freedom, truth and dignity are denied. We investigate and expose abuses, educate and mobilize the public, and help transform societies to create a safer, more just world. We received the Nobel Peace Prize for our life-saving work. Amnesty International invites you to contact them if you would like to join their efforts to release prisoners of conscience, to focus on targeted country campaigns, or to work on other human rights issues such as torture, refugees, and the death penalty. Groups are also involved with outreach and media work in their communities, constantly seeking to increase the visibility of Amnesty International's human rights message. Learn more Amnesty USA
- Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Center for Human Rights: The Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Center for Human Rights encourages and appreciates all assistance in the fight for social justice. The Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Center for Human Rights (CHR) implements the vision of RFK by promoting the full spectrum of human rights both in the United States and throughout the world. The CHR develops and carries out projects which enhance and complement the work of the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award laureates and that promote social change. Learn more about RFK CHR
- ONE: ONE is a new effort by Americans to rally Americans - ONE by ONE - to fight the emergency of global AIDS and extreme poverty. The ONE Campaign is engaging Americans through a diverse coalition of faith-based and anti-poverty organizers to show the steps people can take, ONE by ONE, to fight global AIDS and poverty. The ONE Campaign offers five to seven internship positions per semester (including the summer). Interns will be exposed to multiple facets of the Campaign and be actively engaged in the intricacies of including grassroots, field, internet, communications and policy. Learn more about ONE
- Carter Center: The Carter Center is committed to waging peace, building hope, and fighting disease, and interns have the opportunity to work for Carter Center programs that contribute to this mission. Carter Center interns make vital contributions to the Center's work. In turn, The Carter Center provides a substantive learning experience that serves as a basis for interns to explore their career options and to develop professional skills. Internships are offered during three sessions per year to undergraduate juniors and seniors, graduate students, and recent graduates (graduated in the past 24 months). Prospective interns are those who have demonstrated superior academic ability and who have coursework, professional or personal experience, and career interests related to Carter Center programs. Interns are required to commit a minimum of 20 hours per week, although many choose to work up to 40 hours a week. Learn more about The Carter Center
Washington Center Internship Program
The Washington Center provides students with the full experience of living and work in the Washington, D.C. area. Students participating in the Washington Center will complete:
- An internship arranged by The Washington Center (guided by student preference)
- One academic course (Selected from a list of classes arranged by The Washington Center)
- The Leadership Forum; a series of speakers, career boot camps, and more
- Networking and social activities designed to teach students about living and working in Washington, DC
Students receive a maximum of 12 semester hours for participating: nine semester hours for POL 495 (a Pass/Fail grade) and three semester hours for a course offered by the Washington Center. Students pay standard tuition to the University of Dayton for the semester. Housing is offered by the Washington Center.
Internships can be funded by the Ohio Congressional Intern Fund. This fund is connected to the Washington Center and provides financial assistance to college students in Ohio. Although not guaranteed, most students (on average) receive between $2,400 and $3,000 of assistance.
Other Washington D.C. Internships
Students participating in internships other than those offered by the Washington Center can receive 12 semester hours of credit, nine semester hours of POL 495 and three semester hours of POL 431 (Independent Study). Only POL 431 will receive a letter grade.
Students interested in internships in Washington D.C. should contact the Internship Coordinator.