Internships
About our internship program
Through internships, students gain valuable experience and skills, develop a professional network, apply classroom learning to real-world situations, and define career interests. Over half of School of Public Affairs interns end up with an offer of employment or internship extension from their internship agency.
Political Science and International Relations students may take 3-9 internship credits, however, only 3 will count toward degree requirements. The other 6 credits may count toward general University electives.
Internship Coordinator: Dr. Linda Butenhoff
Email: ljbutenhoff@stcloudstate.edu
Note: MPA students will work with their faculty advisor to determine practicum requirements.
Internship requirements
Interns will work in entry-level professional positions and, prior to starting, have a written learning agreement, outlining work assignments, with the site supervisor and internship director. An ideal internship includes orientation, assigned activities that let you use and develop research, analytical, writing, and public speaking skills. Assignments of varying levels of difficulty and opportunities for public and staff meetings to learn first-hand how decisions are made are ideal.
Students completing an internship need to be at least a junior (60+ credits).
The Numbers
3 credits = 112 hours
6 credits = 224 hours
9 credits = 336 hours
Internship process
- Meet with your major advisor to ensure an internship meets your program's requirements.
- Meet with your department's Internship Coordinator regarding internship requirements.
- Departments do not assign or locate internships for students. Apply and secure an internship.
- Ensure that your internship meets University internship guidelines and requirements.
- Ensure that your internship meets Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Unpaid internships not meeting the FLSA test for unpaid interns will not be approved. Know Your Rights is a great resource.
- Once you have secured an internship, meet again with your Internship Coordinator for approval of the internship; complete paperwork.
- Once paperwork is approved, register for the internship course.
- Complete internship assignments/requirements.
Note: Students must be enrolled in an internship course while actively interning to earn academic internship credit. Internship credit cannot be retroactively applied to a non-credit internship experience.
Past Political Science internship sites
St. Cloud Area
- Benton County Emergency Management
- Central Minnesota Legal Services
- City of St. Cloud
- City of Melrose
- City of Waite Park
- Doherty Staffing Solutions
- Filsan Talent Partners
- Gierman Law
- Islamic Center of St. Cloud
- LION Enrichment Community Programs
- Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid
- Newman Center
- Paramount Visual Arts Center
- Saint Benedicts Senior Community
- St. Cloud Area School District 742
- Stearns County Courthouse
- Sterling Park Senior Community
- Whitney Senior Center
Twin Cities
- Anderson & Associates
- Consulate of Ecuador
- Hablink Services
- Institute for Trafficked, Exploited & Missing Persons
- Loaves & Fishes
- Lutheran Social Services
- Minnesota DFL
- Minnesota State Senate College Internship Program
- Minnesota State Legislature
- Republican Party of Minnesota
- Southview Acres Health Care Center
- Walgreens
- Walz Campaign for Governor
- Zanewood Recreation Center
Greater MN
- Chisago County Administrator’s Office
- Galeon Senior Living
- Isanti County Attorney Victim Services
- Park View Care Center
- Saint Otto’s Care Center
- Olmsted County Government Center
Out of State
Past Master in Public Administration (MPA) internship sites
St. Cloud Area
- CentraCare
- City of Sartell
- Eagle Community Learning Center - ISD 742
- HomeFront Resource Center
- iRise
- Islamic Center of St. Cloud
- Land O Lakes Senior Home Care Services
- Lutheran Social Service of MN
- Paramount Center for the Arts
- St. Cloud Area Public Schools ISD 742 - Madison Elementary
- Stearns County Administration Office
- United Way of Central MN
- Whitney Senior Center
Twin Cities
Greater MN
- Students may accept compensation. However, it is not expected.
- The Department offers limited scholarships to assist students serving an internship.
- Grading is Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only. The final grade reflects the evaluations done by the site supervisor and internship director.
- Interns complete a written evaluation and an internship paper. The paper's focus is developed with the internship director based on the Internship Portfolio Requirements. You'll also be asked to do a course evaluation of the experience.
- Students may accept compensation, however it is not expected.
- The Department offers limited scholarships to assist students serving an internship.