NOTE: In addition to DC Fall and Spring Program information, this page includes information on SUMMER Internship Programs in Washington, DC, San Francisco, New York and Boston. Please scroll down for more details.
Washington, DC Internship Experience
Students are required to arrange a 32 hour/week internship in DC, with support from MSU DC Program staff. MSU faculty and staff work closely with students to identify internships which fit their academic training, previous work experience, specific interests and career goals. The quality of the internship experience is a direct result of each student's effort.
Note: For the Summer Internship-Only Program students arrange a full time internship with assistance from MSU staff. However, it is suggested that students begin their internship search early spring semester, prior to the program application deadline.
Most internships provide a variety of experiences and are typically unpaid. Students will have some substantive responsibilities: e.g., research, writing, attending and reporting on congressional hearings, planning activities, and involvement in other aspects of the work of the organization. Students need strong "student" skills: writing, research, analysis, computer competency. They should also be the kind of person who can work well both independently and as part of a group, as well as demonstrate a personal commitment to learning.
Past MSU internship sponsors have included:
- Center for American Progress
- Center for Strategic and International Studies
- U.S. Chamber of Commerce
- National Wildlife Federation
- Office of the Honorable Mike Rogers
- Heritage Foundation
- Congressional Black Caucus
- Department of Agriculture
- National Center for Food and Agricultural Policy
- American Association of Geographers
- Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars
- Office of the Honorable Debbie Stabenow
- The White House
- USA Today
- Georgetown University Law Center
- National Organization for Women
- Office of the Honorable Carl Levin
- Amnesty International
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Washington, DC SUMMER Internship-Only Program
10-Week Program
| Next informational meeting: TBD |
Courses: SSC 493, AL 493A, or HDFS 493 (min. 6 credits)
Housing: Virginian Suites Arlington, extended-stay hotel
Cost: $3700*
This program fee includes housing, orientation activities and materials. This fee does NOT include tuition cost, most meals, travel, in-town transportation and personal spending money; these costs will vary by individual student.
*Estimate based on 2012 costs
How to Apply
Selection of program participants will be based on academic standing, career interests, writing sample, references, and interviews. To complete the for-credit assignment, students are required to work for ten weeks, 40 hours per week. Students must complete a minimum of six semester credits in this program.
Those interested in participating must submit:
- A completed Study Away Application
- An application fee of $100 is billed to your student account. The application fee is applied to the cost of the program and is non-refundable once a student is admitted into the program
- An essay (one-page, double-spaced) describing your interest in public policy, the type of internship you would seek, and how it connects with your academic/career goals.
- A one-page resume emphasizing academic and other relevant activities suitable for submission to internship supervisors
- One letter of reference from an MSU faculty member.
Application Deadline: February 15
Applicant interviews will be scheduled and acceptance determined AFTER the deadline.
Getting Started Early!
It is strongly recommended that students begin their Summer DC internship search early, prior to the program deadline. Turning in your application materials early will enable staff to assist with your search efforts in a timely manner. Waiting to begin your search until after the deadline may result in missed opportunities.
Civil War Summer Study Program - Based in
Washington, DC
7-Week Program, May to June
| Next informational meeting: TBD |
Students will gain a better understanding of the Civil War through readings, presentations, visits to historic sites (battlefields and museums), as well as undertake a research project using National Archives and Library of Congress as resources.
Visits to historic sites include:
- Gettysburg
- Manassas and Fort Ward
- Shenandoah Valley
- Harpers Ferry and Antietam
- Fredericksburg
- Petersburg/Appomattox
- Fort McHenry in Baltimore
- Richmond
- Walter Reed Museum
Courses: Minimum 6 credits from the following -
HST 304 (3 credits)
HST 454 or HST 480 (3 credits)
ISS 325 (4 credits)
Housing: Extended-stay hotel in Arlington, VA
Cost: $2500*
This program fee includes housing, field trips, orientation activities and materials. This fee does NOT include tuition cost, most meals, travel to and from DC, and personal spending money; these costs will vary by individual student.
*Estimate based on 2012
How to Apply
Selection of program participants will be based on academic standing, writing sample, references, and brief interviews.
Those interested in participating must submit:
-
A completed Study Away Application
- An application fee of $100 is billed to your student account. The application fee is applied to the cost of the program and is non-refundable once a student is admitted into the program
- An essay (one-page, double-spaced) describing why you are interested in the Civil War Study Program and how it connects with your academic goals.
- One letter of reference from a faculty member, advisor or professional reference.
Application Deadline: February 15
San Francisco Summer Internship Program
10-Week Program
| Next informational meeting: TBD |
Students work with a placement service to secure a full time summer internship. This is a collaborative effort that bases placement on internships which fit students' academic training, previous work experience, specific interests and career goals. Most internships provide a variety of experiences and are typically unpaid.
Internships are available in the following areas :
- Health and Human Services
- Law
- Non-governmental Organizations
- Politics
- Communications
- Advertising
- Business
- Public Relations
- Film
Courses: SSC 493, AL 493A, or HDFS 493 (min. 8 credits)
Housing: University of California, Berkely student housing
Cost: $4300*
This program fee includes housing, orientation activities and materials. This fee does NOT include tuition cost, most meals, travel, in-town transportation and personal spending money; these costs will vary by individual student.
*Estimate based on 2012 costs
How to Apply
Selection of program participants will be based on academic standing, career interests, writing sample, references, and interviews.
Those interested in participating must submit:
-
A completed Study Away Application
- An application fee of $100 is billed to your student account. The application fee is applied to the cost of the program and is non-refundable once a student is admitted into the program
- An essay (one-page, double-spaced) describing why you are interested in working in San Francisco, the type of internship you would seek, and how it connects with your academic/career goals.
- A one-page resume emphasizing academic and other relevant activities suitable for submission to internship supervisors
- One letter of reference from a faculty member, advisor or professional reference.
Application Deadline: February 15
Boston and New York Summer Internship Programs
10-Week Programs
| Next informational meeting: TBD |
Courses: SSC 493, AL 493A, or HDFS 493 (min. 8 credits)
Housing: University housing options
Cost: Boston = $3900* and New York = $3800*
This program fee includes housing, orientation activities and materials. This fee does NOT include tuition cost, most meals, travel, in-town transportation and personal spending money; these costs will vary by individual student.
*Estimate based on 2012 costs
How to Apply
Selection of program participants will be based on academic standing, career interests, writing sample, references, and interviews.
Those interested in participating must submit:
-
A completed Study Away Application
- An application fee of $100 is billed to your student account. The application fee is applied to the cost of the program and is non-refundable once a student is admitted into the program
- An essay (one-page, double-spaced) describing why you are interested in working in your selected city, the type of internship you would seek, and how it connects with your academic/career goals.
- A one-page resume emphasizing academic and other relevant activities suitable for submission to internship supervisors
- One letter of reference from a faculty member, advisor or professional reference.
Application Deadline: February 15
For more information on Boston and New York programs, please contact the College of Arts and Letters Study Away Office. Applications for Boston and New York programs should be turned in to their office.
