The Department sponsors a number of engaging internship opportunities in government agencies and non-profit organizations. Students have interned in such diverse sites as City Council offices, the Victim Witness Program, Pre-Trial Services, the Tucson Ecumenical Council on Latin America, and the Offices of the County Attorney and Public Defender. Interns with these agencies work with clients, research constituent concerns, and assist in resolving problems.

Students may also serve as interns in the local and Washington offices of members of the Arizona Congressional Delegation. Their work involves responding to constituent concerns and resolving difficulties constituents encounter with federal agencies. More than 200 students a year on average participate in Political Science internship opportunities.

A Political Science internship requires 45 hours of acceptable work per unit of academic credit. For students enrolled before Fall 2008 (catalog 2007-2008 or earlier), no more than three (3) internship units may be credited toward the Political Science major. For students enrolled for the first time in Fall 2008 or later (catalog 2008-2009 or later), a combined total of no more than nine (9) units from internships (293s, 393s, 493s), independent study (299s, 399s, 499s), or directed research (392, 492) may be credited toward the Political Science major. Internships do not count toward the Department's 24 unit upper-division course requirement, nor the field of study requirement. For more information, feel free to contact:
Dr. Pamela Coonan, Department Internship Coordinator coonan@email.arizona.edu
Ms. Pat Rhyner, Assistant Internship Coordinator prhyner@email.arizona.edu
Download the Internship packet (pdf file) and Checklist (pdf file) here.

Arizona Legislative Internship

The State of Arizona sponsors a Legislative Internship Program, which is administered by the Political Science Department. Internships are awarded on a competitive basis. Students are eligible to apply if they have a minimum 3.0 GPA and have attained Senior standing or will do so by the Spring term. Students selected as Legislative Interns receive a modest stipend and work in Phoenix during the Spring semester as full-time staff members for the Legislature, the Governor's Office, and the Supreme Court. For application materials and further details:
Dr. Pamela Coonan, Department Internship Coordinator coonan@email.arizona.edu
Ms. Pat Rhyner, Assistant Internship Coordinator prhyner@email.arizona.edu
Arizona State Legislature, website (external link)