Political Science Internships

POLS students can earn up to 8 POLS credits for local & state internships!

Political Science strongly recommends internships as an integral part of our students' curriculum. Internships provide practical knowledge of government and politics and professional contacts which can be leveraged for employment opportunities after graduation.

Trenton statehouse

State and local internship opportunities include the following:

  • NJ Legislative Offices - Use the district map to find offices for Senators and Assemblypeople, and check their webpages for contact information. Note: summer internships are a separate program and applications should be sent in March. 
  • Political campaigns & elections - Often short-term opportunities for specific candidates or parties, offered by campaigns or party organizations.
  • Municipal, county, or state agencies - There are many oppprtunities including locally in Atlantic City, Atlantic County , Cape May Housing Authority , Cape Mapy Court House, and further away such as Newark's Division of Civil Rights.
  • Government relations/affairs offices - Corporations & non-profits hire these positions to represent their interests in government.
  • Law & criminal justice - Includes private firms such as Rosenblum Law, Burnham Law Group and the public legal system though NJ Courts.
  • Non-profit or advocacy organizations - Usually issue-based, they have a clear political position and hire a variety of roles to support their mission.
  • Political communication - Print and broadcast journalism.

  1. I would like to pursue a legislative or public policy-related internship. How do I start the process?

    Great! The first step will be to set up a meeting with a member from the Hughes Public Policy Center, who will meet with you and provide an overview of the expectations and requirements of a legislative internship. You can set up a meeting using this link. You should also look out for events promoting internship opportunities with the Hughes Public Policy Center. Once you are interviewed and accepted for an internship, the Hughes Public Policy Center will work with the SOBL Internship Coordinator to secure an affiliation agreement with the site.

  2. Will I receive academic credit for this experience?

    If you would like to receive academic credit for an internship (POLS 3900), the Hughes Public Policy Center will work with the POLS chair to  match you with an instructor who will work with you. Most of that study will focus on workforce development skills, which will be great additions to your resume! Pleas note, you must work a minimum of 120 hrs total for the duration of the semester (for fall and spring, there are 15 weeks; for summer, there are only 10 weeks) to be eligible. If your internship falls below this requirement, unfortunately it is not eligible for academic credit.

  3. I already secured a local internship, and I would like to receive academic credit for it.

    If you secured a local internship on your own and would like to receive academic credit, your first step is to set up a meeting with POLS Chair Dr. Lauren Balasco, who will work with the SOBL Internship Coordinator, Elyse Richman Smith, to set up an affiliation agreement. Once that is done, the POLS chair will match you with a faculty member who will work with you. This faculty member will focus on workplace development skills and cover material as it relates to your internship responsibilities.

** A local internship for academic credit cannot formally begin until a University Affiliation Agreement is approved by Stockton University, and the student has registered for POLS 3900. The university is responsible for completing this agreement.

 

 

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