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Political Science - Internships & Careers


Internships

The Political Science Department can help match students with internships in local, state, or federal government agencies. The Department offers a number of internship opportunities for its undergraduate majors and minors as well as graduate students. These require close coordination among the student, work supervisor, and the Department's internship coordinator. It is important to discuss a possible internship with the appropriate departmental coordinator prior to enrolling in it. These are usually unpaid positions, requiring 15 hours of work per week. 3 hours of credit are awarded under PS 498/598. 

Recent political science students have interned at organizations such as the Barren River Area Development District, Barren River Area Safe Space, and the Center for Accesable Living. Other examples of past internships include students who have interned in political offices and campaigns within the state and in Washington DC.

 

Kentucky Legislative Intern Program

The Kentucky General Assembly selects about 24 interns statewide for its sessions in the spring of even years. Interns are selected in the winter of odd years. They live and work in Frankfort from mid-December through May while the General Assembly is in session. Interns are paid, and receive 15 hours of credit under PS 490, 491, 492, and 493. 

Note: The Political Science Department does not award academic credit for clerical or "go-fer" job experiences, whether paid or unpaid. Nor does it award academic credit for working as "clerks" in law offices. However, the Department does encourage students interested in legal careers to work for a law firm, and the Department can sometimes assist in finding positions.

 

Contact Dr. Scott Lasley for more information.

Scott Lasley
Professor & Department Head
Email:  Email:scott.lasley@wku.edu
Office: Grise Hall - 304
Phone Number: 270-745-2799

 

Careers

We encourage our students to go beyond a Bachelors degree. Many political science students are interested in going to law school and some want to pursue advanced degrees in the field. We can help you on your quest for any of these goals. Whether you are looking for an academic or research position or career in government, the law, business, journalism and communications, teaching and or a career with a non-profit organization-- in the private or public sector-- we can help.

 

Here are a few useful links:

Office of Personnel Management

U.S. Government Websites

 


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 Last Modified 3/11/19