If you hope to work in politics after graduation, your extracurricular work will be critical. We recommend that you complete at least one internship and volunteer for as many campaigns as possible if you wish to work for an elected official or become one yourself. To become a public administrator, you must take an internship class through your major. Here is a suggested course of action by year while majoring in political science or public administration.
First Year
-Take our foundational introductory political science classes.
-Meet with our Internship Director, Dr. Jesse Donahue, jdonahue@svsu.edu if you are majoring in political science.
-Meet with professor Nicol mlnicol@svsu.edu if you are majoring in public administration.
-Attend an internship informational meeting in the fall or winter semesters.
-Follow the Political Science Department's Facebook and Instagram sites to learn about internship opportunities.
-Read the Political Science Department Canvas Announcements page weekly.
Second Year and Third Years
-Take our upper division courses in American institutions and policy for content knowledge.
-Political Science students should plan to completed an internship at least one of these years.
-Meet with Dr. Donahue to set up an internship any semester for the following semester. Political Science majors will receive course credit in the public policy category if they take PS 496 "Field Work in Public Affairs."
Advice for each year:
First and Second Years
Third Year
Fourth Year
jakeil@svsu.edu
(989) 964-7034(989) 964-7034
Department Chair
Dr. Julie Keil
Office
Gilbertson Hall GN 210