The Political Science and International Studies Department offers internships for course credit through the following:
- Public Service Internship Program
- New York State Assembly Internship Program
- New York State Senate Undergraduate Legislative Session Assistants Program
- Washington D.C. Internship Program
These programs provide opportunities for students to intern at the local, state and international levels. Internships are strongly encouraged as they allow students to experience a professional work environment, gain insights into careers in their field, and build their professional network.
Public Service Internship Program (PLS 492)
This program requires students work with the department internship coordinator to identify a suitable internship in a public service organization. Students work with the department internship coordinator and their placement to identify learning outcomes and a schedule for the internship experience. Students generally earn 3 course credits and are expected to complete a minimum of 120 placement hours. Credits are applied as upper division electives. Contact Susan Orr at sorr@brockport.edu.
New York State Assembly Internship Program (PLS 492)
This is a comprehensive program that offers an internship placement with a member of the NYS Legislature, a course on the legislative process, and a simulation of the state assembly where students role play their assigned member. The program carries 15 elective credits and is offered every spring semester. Students are paid a stipend and need to reside close to Albany for the duration of the program. Applications are submitted late fall for the following spring – please see the department internship coordinator if you wish to apply.
Brockport Students accepted into the NYS Assembly program are considered for a scholarship awarded through the Thomas J. Gosdeck ’73 Legislative Internship Fund. The fund, established by an esteemed alumnus and staunch advocate of public service, aims to assist motivated students complete the program and further their career goals. Recipients will be selected by a department committee each year from among successful applicants. Upon completion of the program recipients are required to submit a reflective composition, which outlines how the applicants understanding and appreciation of the Legislative Process has changed, how their understanding of consensus building has advanced, and how their career plans were impacted due to participation in the program.
The Department is forever grateful to Mr. Thomas Gosdeck for establishing and funding the internship program in his name. We apologize that we excluded the NYS Senate as an option for student opportunities for 2022-23, despite the Senate Program being the basis for his decision to make this opportunity available to our students. We understand the importance of including both programs on an equal basis. This matter has been resolved for next year and the future. We thank Mr. Gosdeck for his immense generosity and dedication to our students and the University. We sincerely apologize for our failure to honor the commitments we made when he established this Fund. In the years ahead, we will endeavor to honor his wishes.
New York State Senate Undergraduate Legislative Session Assistants Program (PLS 492)
This program is intended for juniors, seniors, and exceptional sophomores. Assistants will work full time in a Senator’s office and be given duties related to the New York State legislative process. The concluding activity will be a Model Legislative Session where students experience the process of lawmaking (drafting, negotiating, and debating/voting on original student legislation). The program carries 15 elective credits and is offered from early January to late April. Students are paid a stipend and need to reside close to Albany for the duration of the program. Applications are submitted late fall for the following spring – please see the department internship coordinator if you wish to apply.
Brockport Students accepted into the NYS Assembly program are considered for a scholarship awarded through the Thomas J. Gosdeck ’73 Legislative Internship Fund. The fund, established by an esteemed alumnus and staunch advocate of public service, aims to assist motivated students complete the program and further their career goals. Recipients will be selected by a department committee each year from among successful applicants. Upon completion of the program recipients are required to submit a reflective composition, which outlines how the applicants understanding and appreciation of the Legislative Process has changed, how their understanding of consensus building has advanced, and how their career plans were impacted due to participation in the program.
The Department is forever grateful to Mr. Thomas Gosdeck for establishing and funding the internship program in his name. We apologize that we excluded the NYS Senate as an option for student opportunities for 2022-23, despite the Senate Program being the basis for his decision to make this opportunity available to our students. We understand the importance of including both programs on an equal basis. This matter has been resolved for next year and the future. We thank Mr. Gosdeck for his immense generosity and dedication to our students and the University. We sincerely apologize for our failure to honor the commitments we made when he established this Fund. In the years ahead, we will endeavor to honor his wishes.
SUNY Washington Internship Program
This comprehensive program allows students to enjoy the excitement of our nation’s capital, an ideal location to experience direct involvement in politics and all other professional fields. Founded in 1967, more than 4,000 students have participated in this elite internship program – approximately one-third of participants receive a job offer either directly from their internship, or through networking opportunities. The program is offered in Fall, Spring and Summer. Students participate in a weekly seminar in addition to their intern placement and undertake a guided research project (the summer program does not have a research requirement). Students relocate to DC for the program and earn 15 credits in Fall/Spring and 6 credits in the summer.