Internships (POLS 301)
Introduction
POLS 301: Internships in Political Science is a 6-credit undergraduate course that is generally offered in fall semesters. This course helps students navigate the professional world by combining “real world” experience (through an internship) with a weekly session in which we will reflect about this experience, contrast it with the academic “view” of these professional arenas, and develop professional skills.
The course will next be offered in Fall 2026, meeting on Mondays from 3:00 PM – 4:15 PM.
Course details
Enrolling in the course
To enroll in the course, students must seek instructor permission. To do so, please send an email to Prof. Kumar Ramanathan (kumarr@uic.edu) with the subject line “POLS 301”. After receiving permission from the instructor, fill out this form.
Students are expected to secure an internship experience by the second week of the course. We encourage students to enroll and begin searching for an internship as soon as possible.
Internship requirement
To enroll in the course, students must work in a government office, civic or community organization, political campaign, international organization, law office, or workplace with a relationship to political science. This work experience must be at least 10 hours a week for 15 weeks, and must include more than filing or secretarial assistance although these activities may legitimately be part of the work experience. The work experience need not be called an “internship” if it meets all the above requirements (for example, a part-time job in a government office would meet these requirements).
Students are welcome to pursue internships through fellowship or placement programs, as long as these programs do not also offer course credit. We encourage students with interests in urban politics and public policy to apply to the Urban Public Policy Fellowship (UPPF) program at CUPPA, a selective program that pairs a paid internship placement with seminars and research experience. Students accepted to UPPF can simultaneously receive credit through POLS 301.
Finding internships
We periodically hold informational sessions with resources on finding internships. The next session will be held on May 26, 2026 at 10:00am on Zoom (click here for event details). All students enrolled in the course will receive details about the session via email. Political science students not enrolled in the course are invited to attend as well; details will be posted on this page at a future date.
We encourage students to use the resources offered by the Career Development and Internships office at LAS and Career Services at UIC to finding internships and pursue professional development opportunities.
Grants and awards
Dick W. Simpson Political Science Internship Award: Starting in Fall 2026, the Political Science Department will offer up to four awards of $500 each to students working in unpaid internships while enrolled in POLS 301. Eligible students will receive application information at the beginning of the semester.
UIC Flames Internship Grant: As of Fall 2026, the Flames Internship Grant is unfortunately unavailable.
Other stipends, grants, and awards: A student may receive other stipends, grants, or awards to support their internship experience while receiving course credit through POLS 301, as long as this is permitted under the rules of the internship site and the entity providing the stipend, grant, or award.
International students
International students on an F-1 visa must apply for Curricular Practical Training authorization in order to undertake an internship. Please follow the instructions from the Office of International Services.
Events
Finding internships in political science
Contact
For any additional questions, please email Prof. Kumar Ramanathan at kumarr@uic.edu.