Student Opportunities and Internships
The department offers many other programs and experiences for its majors. Among these are:
Internships:
Recognizing the value of learning about politics and governmental processes through personal experience, the department makes it possible for undergraduate students to earn up to 6 credit hours for supervised internships (PS 391). Numerous opportunities for internships exist at all levels of government and with political parties, lobbying groups, research organizations, non-profits, and public interest groups. Positions exist in both the public and private sectors, including international business. As the state capital, Raleigh is an especially fertile area for political internships. Students are responsible for finding their internships, although guidance is available both through the department and the University Career Center.
We also run the North Carolina General Assembly student internship program.
For more information on internships other than the NCGA program, contact the Internship Coordinator, Shannon Carey, at 515-4469 / Caldwell 217.
Political Science Honors Programs:
The Political Science Honors Program provides a special opportunity for able and motivated political science majors to enrich their curriculum through in-depth independent study with a faculty member. The more flexible curriculum allows academically qualified students the opportunity to delve into a topic of particular interest. The honors program does not necessarily require more effort by the student, but a more focused effort. Students capable of independent thought and effort can flourish in the program.
A faculty member with interest and expertise in the student's chosen topic serves as honors advisor. Students undertake nine hours of specialized course work, including the independent research project. The honors project may be based on readings or on a combination of reading and field research.
Traditionally, many of the students who participate in this program are considering graduate or professional school, or a career requiring strong research, writing, and organizational skills. They have found the program valuable in enhancing these skills and giving direction to post-graduate plans.
Students who complete the required course work and graduate with an overall GPA of 3.25 or above have successfully completed the Political Science Honors program. Successful completion of the program is noted on the student's transcript, diploma, and at commencement.
For more information, contact the Honors Coordinator, Shannon Carey, at 515-4469 / Caldwell 217.
Political Science (and Political Science-related) Clubs:
Political Science Club: See their website, http://www.ncsu.edu/stud_orgs/polisci/
Pi Sigma Alpha: Pi Sigma Alpha is the national honor society for political science students. To qualify for admission to the NCSU chapter, an undergraduate must be a junior or senior, have a GPA of at least 3.0 overall and 3.3 in political science courses, and have completed at least 12 hours of political science course work. For more information, see Shannon Carey.
Pre-Law Student Association: See http://www.ncsu.edu/project/prelaw/events.html
Society for Politics, Economics, and the Law (SPEL): See their advisor, Roy Cordato, for information.
NC State chapter of North Carolina Student Legislature: See their advisor, Andrew J. Taylor, for information.
College Democrats: See, http://www.ncsu.edu/sorc/myOrgs/details.php?id=185
College Republicans: See, http://www.ncsucr.org/.
Study Abroad:
To help you start thinking about studying abroad, see NC State's Study Abroad Office website.
Funding and Awards:
The department offers a limited number of J.W. Pope Foundation undergraduate grants for student projects in political science. Students are awarded $4,000 and their faculty advisor $1,000. These awards are for top students who are undertaking work of the highest quality. For more information, see Professor Andrew J. Taylor.
The department presents the Block, Fairchild, and Highest Scholastic Achievement awards annually. The Block award is named after Professor William J. Block, a former department head, and goes to a deserving graduating senior for service to the university and broader community. Named after former faculty member, Professor Erica Fairchild, the Fairchild award goes to the graduating senior who has written the best paper in the previous year. The Highest Scholastic Achievement award goes to the graduating senior with the highest cumulative GPA.
The university also provides financial support for undergraduate research. See, http://www.ncsu.edu/uap/programs/undergraduate_research.html.
