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Spring Internships

The Internship

Public Health 2016 Field Trip in front of Capitol Building

Students complete a spring internship in a federal agency, congressional office, or related organization, including NGOs, nonprofits, think tanks, or private industry. There, they apply lessons from the seminar course and supplementary courses to real-life situations.

Students can register for FGSM398 or an internship/experiential learning course from their academic department.

All students are required to participate in spring Federal Semester Program events regardless of which internship course option they choose.

Students also attend workshops on internships beginning soon after they are admitted to the program and meet with program staff for additional guidance. Workshops cover the process of applying to internships, interviewing, and finally securing placement – all skills that will be important practice for their own professional job searches after graduation.

Workshops will be conducted by the Global Fellows in Washington, DC staff, in collaboration with campus and other professionals on internships and careers in the global arena. Program staff also offer one-on-one consultations regarding cover letters and resumes.

Internship Credit: Two Options

Erik Martin with White House Office of Science and Technology Policy

Option 1: Register for FGSM398. Students will earn between 3-9 credits, based on the number of hours worked and other assignments that supplement the professional experience.

Required Forms:

Breakdown of credit hours:

  • 3 credits: 135 total internship hours (about 10 hours a week)
  • 4 credits: 180 total internship hours (about 13 hours a week)
  • 5 credits: 225 total internship hours (about 17 hours a week)
  • 6 credits: 270 total internship hours (about 20 hours a week)
  • 7 credits: 315 total internship hours (about 23 hours a week)
  • 8 credits: 360 total internship hours (about 27 hours a week)
  • 9 credits: 405 total internship hours (about 30 hours a week)

Option 2: Register for an internship under the course number offered for internships/experiential learning within the student's academic department. For credit, students must follow that department's guidelines for credits, grading, and hours required.

Sampling of Past Student Internships

Federal Agencies

  • Commission on Civil Rights
  • Dept of Commerce
  • Dept of Defense
  • Dept of Education
  • Dept of Energy
  • Dept of Health &
    Human Services
  • Dept of Homeland Security
  • Dept of Interior
  • Dept of Justice
  • Dept of State
  • Dept of Transportation
  • Dept of Veteran Affairs
  • Environmental Protection Agency
  • Federal Aviation Admin.
  • National Archives
  • National Endowment for
    the Humanities
  • National Institutes of Health
  • U.S. Census Bureau
  • White House

Capitol Hill

  • Congressional Committees
  • Congressional Offices
  • Congressional Research Service

Non-Governmental Organizations

  • Center for the Study of
    the Presidency
  • Children's Defense Fund
  • Foundation for Middle
    East Peace
  • Genetic Alliance
  • Helios Global

Advocacy/Private Sector

  • Berger Hirschberg Strategies LLC: fundraising and political strategy
  • Ferguson Strategies LLC
  • Glover Park Group: communications
  • IQ Solutions: health communications
  • JBS International: technology consulting
  • Law Media Group Inc: communications
  • Polsinelli
  • The Herald Group LLC
  • The Raben Group