Penny M. Miller

TAKING INTERNSHIP CREDITS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE

Fall 2000

There are numerous opportunities for students at UK to receive academic credit for internships. The Department of Political Science has been involved in assisting students who wish to take advantage of such opportunities under PS 399. In general, the department can not "place" students in internships; it is the student's responsibility to seek an internship. However, the department sometimes receives information about internship openings. The most common political science internships are with the local office of a Senator or Congressperson, a state legislator in Frankfort, a political campaign, an agency in state or local government, or a law office.

There are several departmental rules that must be followed in order to get academic credit for internships that are supervised by Dr. Penny Miller, Internship Director. Since these rules vary somewhat from those followed by other departments or by the UK Office of Experiential Education, it is important that you read and understand the following:

Step 1 GETTING THE BALL ROLLING

All students wishing to take PS 399 under the supervision of the Internship Director must:

(a) Arrange an internship for the Spring 2001 semester.

(b) Obtain internship packets in the main Political Science Department office (1615 POT).

(d) Complete and submit a Preliminary Internship Proposal form to Dr. Penny Miller in 1615 POT by Friday, September 1, 2000.

Step 2 YA GOTTA HAVE A LEARNING CONTRACT

The Learning Contract must be submitted to the Political Science department in 1615 POT by Friday, Setpember 8, 2000.

Political Science interns may receive 1-6 credits for an internship. Please see the breakdown of the minimum hourly requirements for an internship. Internships also require an academic component to the work which is outlined in the formal syllabus for PS 399. The work typically involves (1) assigned readings pertaining to the internship, (2) a journal of activities and interviews during the internship, and (3) a final paper relating to the internship.

Step 3 YA GOTTA GET YOUR AGENCY SUPERVISOR TO SIGN THE MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT

All students registering for PS 399 credits shall be responsible for securing agency approval on a Memorandum of Agreement stating that the agency is familiar with the student's Learning Contract, approves of its content regarding the student's on-the-job responsibilities, and indicates that every effort will be made to provide on-the-job experiences that are related to and supportive of the student's Learning Contract. Students must file a copy of the signed Memorandum of Agreement with Dr. Miller in 1615 POT by Friday, September 8, 2000.

SOME FINAL NOTES

All students taking PS 399 credits under the supervision of the Department of Political Science should be aware of the following:

PS 399 is only offered on a pass-fail basis.

The department does not guarantee academic credit upon signing a Learning Contract. In the event the student and/or the department cannot secure agency compliance with its written obligations during the internship period, the student may be assigned an incomplete for the credits involved or be asked to do sufficient additional reading and/or research projects to warrant granting of said credits.

All Political Science majors should be aware of the following stipulations:

(a) Political Science majors may apply up to 6 hours of PS 399 credit taken under the supervision of the Department toward the political science requirements for the Field of Concentration.

(b) A maximum of 12 internship credits may be counted toward the 120 credits required for graduation.