Internships

Internships in our department provide students with the ability to: 1.) connect their political science education with practical, real-world experiences, 2.) enhance their career and transferable skills, and 3.) make vital professional connections to employment while working in local, state or federal government agencies, political parties and campaigns, interest groups or advocacy organizations, the media, nonprofit or nongovernmental organizations and more. The goal is to build resumes while earning degrees.

Every Fall and Spring semester, our department offers four cohort internship classes:

  • POLS430: Internship I
  • POLS511: Internship II
  • POLS510: Louisville Metro Internship
  • POLS512: Frankfort Internship

Students can enroll in the Internship I and II classes to take advantage of any pre-arranged internship that meets the educational criteria and receives approval from the Director of Undergraduate Studies (email: ) or Department Chair (email: ). Internship listings can be accessed via the department’s website and/or the University Career Center.

Both POLS510 and POLS512 allows students to join a cohort class that provides personalized placements in Louisville Metro Government with local officials each Fall semester or in the Kentucky General Assembly with state officials in Frankfort each Spring semester.

For details about the Louisville Metro Internship, please contact .

For details about the Frankfort Internship, please contact 

For eligibility and other pertinent information, please see “Internship Requirements.”

Purpose of Internships

The National Society of Experiential Education describes internships as carefully monitored work or service experiences in which students pursue clearly identified educational goals and reflect actively on what they are learning. The purpose is to promote critical thinking, skill development, and personal and professional growth. Unlike jobs, which primarily involve work in exchange for pay, internships involve work in exchange for training. Some internships provide monetary compensation; however, many do not. Compensation more often comes in the form of academic credit.

Students can enroll in (paid or unpaid) internships and earn up to six (6) elective credit hours in two (2) courses toward their degree requirements, only if their internships meet the criteria for a sustained experience at a work site with structured, supervised academic activities.

Value of Internships (The “What’s in it for me?” Question)

Internships provide a variety of career-building benefits, including the opportunity to:

  1. Bridge the gap between classroom learning and the real world.
  2. Gain practical experience in a professional environment.
  3. Acquire knowledge and understanding of government structures and processes.
  4. Experience the activities and functions of how government delivers services.
  5. Achieve personal growth and build self-confidence by meeting new challenges.
  6. Build vital professional networks in various fields for potential, future employment.
  7. Foster professional growth working in the community through collaboration and partnerships. 
  8. Develop greater appreciation for social responsibility and democratic governance.
  9. Improve chances of finding employment after graduation. Today, many organizations only hire persons full-time if they have had practicum experience in their field.

Career Resources

The University Career Center website contains career resources on a variety of topics. Cardinal Careers is a campus-wide platform containing postings for internships as well as full-time positions, Federal Work-study, part-time jobs on and off campus, and mentored research. Many of these positions are offered by work sites that have sponsored interns from the University of Louisville in the past and are familiar with the University's academic programs. Students can also log into Cardinal Careers to schedule an appointment with their career coach and review upcoming career fairs. 

For more information on these opportunities, contact or visit the University Career Center located in the Houchens Building, and open Monday-Friday from 9:00 AM  to 5:00 PM.

The American Political Science Association (APSA) also has links to many prominent national and international internship opportunities.

VIRTUAL INTERVIEWING - advice for students who may find themselves doing virtual job or internship interviewing (as opposed to face to face meetings) because of the coronavirus outbreak: http://louisville.edu/career/news/virtual-interviewing

VIRTUAL CAREER DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS - listing of upcoming virtual events for students to offer advice on navigating the turbulent times as they think about moving into a career: http://louisville.edu/career/news/ucc-virtual-workshops

ALL students should take advantage of these resources while you can. 

Internship Sexual Harassment Policy

Sexual Harassment in the Internship Setting: Rights and Resources