students speaking

Internships give you the opportunity to experiment with different career paths, apply classroom knowledge to real-world situations, and gain hands-on experience in a professional setting. Often, internships can help students secure jobs after graduation. The Department of Political Science will help ensure that your internship experience is a meaningful step toward fulfilling your career goals.


Requirements

Internships need to be related to the public sector in some way. This includes working for:

  • government agencies
  • nonprofits
  • policy agencies
  • political associations
  • lobbies

Undergraduate political science majors have the option of completing an internship as their capstone course credit.

However, you must successfully complete:

  • POLS 130 American Government
  • POLS 237 State and Local Government
  • one of the following: POLS 342 Public Policy; POLS 350 Public Administration; POLS 431 Congress; POLS 473 American Political Parties

Legal studies majors should speak to Brad Gideon about the internship requirements for that program.

Master of public administration students are required to complete an internship unless they have significant working experience prior to entering the program.

Students who want to waive the internship requirement should contact Sean Hildebrand.

Master of arts in political science students are not required to complete an internship, but they have that option should they desire to do so.

Students who wish to pursue this option should contact Steven Hall or Sean Hildebrand for more information.


How to Find an Internship

Students should contact Sean Hildebrand prior to setting up or applying for an internship to make sure it meets the department’s expectations and requirements.

In many cases, this will include an interview process, so have a good resume and cover letter developed before applying. The Ball State Career Center can help you with the development of these items.


Below are the most current lists of internships the department has.

New Internships

Check out the link below to find the newest internship opportunities that Dr. Hildebrand has put together!

Current Indiana Internships

Don't forget to follow and check out our social media where we post new opportunities!

Political Science Facebook  Political Science Twitter

Also, make sure to visit websites dedicated to listing internships, such as IndianaIntern.Net and Internships.com to find great internship opportunities.

 

DC Internships

  • Indiana Archives & Records – Indianapolis, IN

Apply Here

  • FBI – Washington, DC

  Apply Here

  • EPA – Washington, DC

  Apply Here

  • State Department – Washington, DC

  Apply Here

  •  White House Internship Program – Washington, DC

Apply Here

  •  Department of Agriculture – Washington, DC

  Apply Here

  • Department of Commerce – Washington, DC

  Apply Here

  • Department of Defense – Washington, DC

  Apply Here

  • Department of Education – Washington, DC

  Apply Here

  • Department of Energy – Washington, DC

  Apply Here

  • Department of Health and Human Services – Washington, DC

  Apply Here

  • Department of Homeland Security – Washington, DC

  Apply Here

  • Department of Justice – Washington, DC
    Office on Violence Against Women

  Apply Here

  • Department of State – Washington, DC

  Apply Here

  • Department of Transportation – Washington, DC

  Apply Here

 

  • Senator Todd Young’s Office – Indianapolis, New Albany, IN & Washington, DC

Apply Here

  • Senator Mike Braun’s Office – Washington, DC

  Apply Here

  • Congressman Pete Visclosky’s Office – Merrillville, IN & Washington, DC 

Apply Here

  • Congresswoman Jackie Walorski’s Office – Mishawaka, IN & Washington, DC 

Apply Here

  • Congressman Jim Banks’ Office – Fort Wayne, IN & Washington, DC 

Apply Here

  • Congresswoman Susan Brooks’ Office – Anderson, Carmel, IN & Washington, DC 

Apply Here

  • Congressman Andre Carson’s Office – Indianapolis, IN & Washington, DC 

Apply Here

  • Congressman Larry Bucshon’s Office – Evansville, Terre Haute, IN & Washington, DC 

Apply Here

  • Congressman Trey Hollingsworth’s Office – Greenwood, Jeffersonville, IN & Washington, DC

Apply Here

  • Congressman Jim Baird’s Office – Danville, IN & Washington D.C.

Apply Here

  • Congressman Greg Pence’s Office – Columbus, Muncie, Shelbyville, and Richmond

  Apply Here

 

  • Cato Institute – Washington, DC

  Apply Here

  • Brookings Institute – Washington, DC

  Apply Here

  • Heritage Foundation – Washington, DC

  Apply Here

  • Center for Strategic & International Studies – Washington, DC

  Apply Here

  • Carnegie Endowment for International Peace – Washington, DC

Apply Here

  • Wilson International Center for Scholars – Washington, DC

  Apply Here

  • Rand Corporation – Washington, DC

  Apply Here

  • Center for American Progress – Washington, DC

  Apply Here

  • Atlantic Council – Washington, DC

  Apply Here

  • American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research – Washington, DC

  Apply Here

  • Center for a New American Security – Washington, DC

  Apply Here

  • World Resources Institute – Washington, DC

  Apply Here

  • Hudson Institute – Washington, DC

  Apply Here

  • Stimpson Center – Washington, DC

  Apply Here

  • Hoover Institution – Washington, DC

  Apply Here

 

  • Congressional Budget Office – Washington D.C.

  Apply Here

  • Bose Public Affairs Group – Washington D.C.

  Apply Here

  • Department of Justice

  Apply Here

  • Urban Institute – Washington, DC

  Apply Here

  • Resources for the Future – Washington, DC

  Apply Here