With Legislators
Students participating in a legislative internship serve as interns in the Indiana State Legislature in Indianapolis. Students must be selected by one of the party caucuses in the House or Senate. In addition to working for state legislators, students must attend a speaker series and complete various academic requirements. Serving a one-semester internship in the Indiana State Legislature provides direct experience with the realities of practical politics. The internship provides students with concrete illustrations of the political concepts and processes presented in the classroom and thus are an integral part of a student’s political education.
To qualify, students must be of junior or senior standing and have the consent of the instructor.
Depending on the amount of work required, students will earn between three and six credit hours in political science that can be counted toward the elective requirement in the political science major and toward the 300- and 400-level course work required of all graduates. Under the supervision of the instructor for the course, students will work independently on academic assignments related to the legislative process.
Student interns seeking more than six credit hours during the semester they are an intern may register for online courses offered by USI.
The internship is a full-time paid position during the legislative session, which lasts from January through mid-March. This valuable experience offers unique networking opportunities, which could open the door to a professional career. Interns have a long-standing track record of effectively transitioning into employment as attorneys, lobbyists, and Statehouse staff, among other positions.
With Attorneys or Courts
Students participating in a political science internship work as interns in a law office, court or other law-related organizations for 150 hours. Students also must complete various academic requirements. Working in a law office or other law-related institution provides a pre-law student direct contact with the practical realities of the legal profession and the applications of law in society, while internships in the court system provide students with the opportunity to master and critique social science concepts and theories pertaining to the operation of judicial bureaucracies. This experience can also help a pre-law student decide whether to commit to law school.
Interns will usually receive a stipend applicable toward tuition for the internship course (three hours) and other incidental expenses, such as transportation, connected with the internship. The amount of the stipend is not a standard fee and will vary from employer to employer.
For eligibility and application requirements, contact Dr. Nick LaRowe or at 812-464-1727.
