Department of Political Science Des Moines Internship Program Spring 2016

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1 Department of Political Science Spring 2016 The Department of Political Science (DMIP) provides University of Iowa students the opportunity to build valuable professional skills and connections with positions in business, nonprofits, government, and politics. Students in the program live in Des Moines for a full semester, work hours per week, and take courses at the University of Iowa s Pappajohn Center in downtown Des Moines. ACADEMICS The DMIP requires students to take two courses for a total of 9 sh. Students who need to maintain fulltime student status may supplement their program credits with additional online UI coursework. Two required courses: POLI:3124 Political Science Des Moines Internship, taught by Martha Kirby o 6 s.h. o S/F grading only please note, students may earn up to 15 s.h. in coursework graded S/F toward the minimum 120 s.h. required for degree o Elective hours earned toward graduation; not major credit o Weekly assignments designed to help students link their internship experience to their UI coursework and to their career goals o Regular communication between site supervisor and course instructor, including site visit POLI:3123 State Politics in Iowa, taught by Professor Kelly Shaw o 3 s.h. o Graded credit o Taught in downtown Des Moines at the Pappajohn Center o Introduction to Iowa government and politics; emphasis on Iowa Constitution, founding and history, political institutions, voting, political parties, mass movements and interest groups; evangelical movement in Iowa, immigration, and Iowa's role in national politics given the state's first-in-the-nation caucus. Additional course options: Web-based courses through the Division of Continuing Education for major, minor, or elective credit. Independent Study discuss this option with your academic advisor but be aware that you will have a busy semester; approach an independent study project with caution! Note: Students are required to consult with their academic advisors regarding their progress toward graduation prior to applying for the.

2 INTERNSHIPS Placements in government, nonprofit organizations, business, and political organizations Typical internship hours per week Potential sites for Spring 2016: o Department of Natural Resources o Des Moines Public Library o House Democratic Caucus o Iowa Communications Network o Iowa International Center o Iowa Democratic Senate o Iowa Governor's Office o Iowa Pride Network o Iowa Senate Republican Caucus o Speaker of the House Communications o The World Food Prize o Iowa Association of Business and Industry o City of Des Moines o Boys and Girls Club of Central Iowa o Des Moines Downtown Chamber o Greater Des Moines Partnership o United Way of Central Iowa o U.S. District Court o Many more options based on students professional interests and goals COSTS There is no additional program fee associated with the ; students pay regular tuition and fees based on the number of semester hours of enrollment. Because most internships are unpaid, students are encouraged to plan in advance with regards to their budgeting for housing and other expenses for the semester. HOUSING IN DES MOINES Admitted students are provided information about short-term rental opportunities in the Des Moines area. Once final site placements are made you will need to find your own housing Students currently living in University Housing are excused from their residence services housing contract while participating in an off-campus University-sponsored program. Please inform Martha Kirby if you need a confirmation letter sent to Residence Services. FUNDING The Department of Political Science, through the generous support of private donors, has some funding available to students to help offset the cost of participation in the DMIP. To be eligible for the funding students must: Be admitted to the DMIP program Accept an unpaid internship position Be declared a political science or international relations major prior to September 1, 2015 Amount of award varies depending on the funding available and the number of eligible students each semester.

3 APPLICATION PROCESS The Department will assist students throughout the internship application process with résumé writing, the selection of and application to internship sites, and preparing to interview. Students must complete the following in order to be eligible for participation in the DMIP. Review Your Plan of Study with an Academic Advisor Meet with your academic advisor to discuss how the DMIP will fit into your plan of study Questions to consider: o Will you exceed the maximum number of S-graded credit? o Will participation delay your intended graduation date? Typically not, but you should check! o Are there course sequencing issues within your required major coursework that need to be considered when choosing the best semester to be off-campus? Complete the Academic Advisor Review Form Submit a Program Application: Submit to 341 Schaeffer Hall or to martha-kirby@uiowa.edu Spring internship placements in Des Moines are competitive. Earlier applications are highly encouraged and will be given priority. Must include a statement of purpose, a current résumé, and the Academic Advisor Review Form Applications will be reviewed by the department and up to fifteen students will be selected for participation in the Spring 2016 DMIP Internship Site Applications: If students do not yet have an internship secured, applicants will meet with Martha Kirby to investigate potential internship sites and prepare applications. Final site selections should be made no later than late November for internships that begin in January, 2016 PLANNING FOR THE SPRING SEMESTER Registration for spring 2016 courses is November 19 20, 2015 Most students will have their internships secured prior to early registration. If you do not yet have your internship placement, plan to register for sping courses as if you are not participating in the internship program; you will change your registration once your internship site placement in final. Once your placement is finalized, register for: o POLI:3124 Political Science Des Moines Internship for 6 s.h. o POLI:3123 State Politics in Iowa for 3 s.h. o If you need to be enrolled fulltime, register for one online course for 3 s.h. Most internships will begin on the same date as the fall semester begins, though some sites may require an slightly earlier or later start date. Important note: Spring Break! Your internship site may or may not allow for a typical University of Iowa spring break week. Please plan accordingly.

4 Application for the Department of Political Science Spring Semester 2016 The Department of Political Science (DMIP) gives undergraduate students the opportunity to live and take UI classes in Des Moines for a full semester while interning in one of many positions in the business, non-profit, and government sectors. Interns in the DMIP gain real-world working experience, make important connections, and build their leadership skills and résumés while working toward the completion of their University of Iowa degree. Acceptance to the DMIP is competitive. Up to fifteen students will be selected for the Spring 2016 program. Students must be in academic good standing (UI, cumulative, and major GPAs must be a 2.0 or higher) to be considered for admission. Please complete and return to 341 Schaeffer Hall or submit by to martha-kirby@uiowa.edu Interested students are encouraged to apply no later than October 15, Later applications will be accepted if space is available. Full Name: University ID number: Majors: Minors and certificates: UI GPA and cumulative GPA (both are on your ISIS grade report) Anticipated graduation date (month and year): Internship site if already hired: If you do not yet have an internship, please indicate the type of internship desired (circle all that apply): Government Politics Nonprofit Business For government internships, do you have a political party preference for placement (Y/N)? If yes, please specify: Return to 341 Schaeffer Hall or submit by to martha-kirby@uiowa.edu with the following attachments: A copy of your current résumé A brief statement (1 page) explaining your interest in the internship program, the types of internships you are most interested in pursuing, and your goals for participation in the DMIP. Academic Advisor Review Form Questions? Please contact Martha Kirby at martha-kirby@uiowa.edu

5 Department of Political Science Academic Advisor Review Form Before submitting your application to the Department of Political Science (DMIP), please meet with your academic advisor for your primary major (listed on ISIS) to review how your participation in the DMIP fits into your academic plan of study. Please bring the full program information packet and application with you for reference when meeting with your advisor. Student name: Student UID Number: Please complete the following with your advisor: 1. The DMIP includes 6 s.h. of S/F graded coursework. Students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences have a limit of 15 s.h. of S/F graded credit that can be used toward the minimum 120 s.h. for degree. How many S/F graded semester hours will the student have earned prior to the spring 2016 semester, including any fall 2015 registration 2. Will participation in the program delay the student s planned graduation date? Please note that delayed graduation is not a determining factor in the application review. The DMIP is simply confirming that, if participation in the program will delay graduation, students make an informed and intentional decision to do so. Student Signature I have reviewed my program of study with my academic advisor and discussed any required changes to my plan of study. Advisor Signature I have reviewed the student s academic records and discussed any needed changes to the student s academic plan of study. Advisor Printed Name Campus Address Phone: