Capitol Hill Internship Program

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Program Description

(GVPT376A / GVPT377A) For Spring 2004

The Capitol Hill Internship Program enables students to work in a Congressional office and receive college credit. Students are expected to work 18-20 hours per week for one semester and attend a weekly seminar in order to complete the program. Students will earn a total of nine credits for the internship and seminar. The seminar (GVPT377A) comprises three of the nine credits and counts as an upper-level GVPT course for the major requirements. The practicum (GVPT376A) fills the remaining six credits and is graded on a satisfactory/fail basis and thus DOES NOT count towards GVPT requirements. Although GVPT376A cannot be used for departmental requirements, it will be counted as elective credit towards the 120 credits needed for graduation.

Program Requirements

The Department recommends the following*:
1. Registration as a GVPT major
2. Junior or Senior status
3. An overall GPA of 3.0 or higher (GPA in GVPT courses especially important)
4. B or better in GVPT 473 (Legislatures and Legislation)

*Exceptions can be made, but the more requirements you meet, the better your prospects of admittance to the program.

Program Application

Submit the following to the GVPT Advising Office by Monday, April 20, 2005 for the Fall Semester. Applications will be accepted after that date if there is still space in the program.) Applications can either be left with Brad Morse or dropped in the Advising Mail

1. A current transcript (may be unofficial).
2. Two copies of a one-page resume of your educational and employment background. Relevant courses and educational experiences should be emphasized.
3. A writing sample, such as a short (five page) paper.
4. A list of Members of Congress, Congressional committees, party leadership organizations, or caucuses for whom you wish to work and a brief (one or two sentences) explanation of why each office was listed. You need between 6-12 options. Consult a recent edition of Politics in America or The Almanac of American Politics (available in Hornbake) in order to make an informed decision about the offices you list. (Note: you are not expected to contact any Congressional offices in advance, but if you do you should make a note of it.)

Admittance to the Program

Students will be notified of their acceptance to the program within two weeks of the deadline.

*Important Note: Students who are accepted to one of the internship programs for a particular semester cannot reject that offer and then choose to register for a different internship course.

GVPT377A meets on Mondays at 3:30-6:15pm for the Fall 2005 semester.