Political Science

Student Internship Programs

The Political Science Department provides you with the opportunity to participate in an internship as a part of your degree program (see Programs). Students in the B.S. degree program must undertake either an internship (POL 520) or a directed study (POL 500; see also Undergraduate Research Opportunities). Internships generally enable you to earn three (3) credits during a given semester upon successful completion of all requirements, although summer internships—locally or in Washington, D.C.—and more intensive internships may earn more credits.

With guidance from the department's internship coordinator, presently Professor Richard Levy, students have successfully found internships that allowed them to evaluate and apply what they had learned in the major, while gaining practical knowledge and experience in a range of real-world agencies related to political science. Internships typically also make it possible for students to clarify and explore potential career choices. Students often make contacts during the internship which may be helpful in their future careers.

Some of the offices and locations where students have had internships include the following:

• U.S. Congressman John Tierney's office [As a graduate of the Political Science Department of Salem State College, Congressman Tierney has been very supportive of our interns.]
• Summer program in U.S. Senator John Kerry's Washington D.C. office
• U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy's Washington D.C. office
• The Washington Center Internship Program
• The offices of Massachusetts state senators and state representatives
• The office of the Mayor of Salem
• Medford City Hall
• Massachusetts Department of Education
• Massachusetts Water Resources Agency
• Local newspapers, courts, and law firms
• Various local and national political campaigns
• Various non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
• The Peabody Essex Museum

For further information, contact:

Internship Coordinator, Political Science Department

Professor Richard J. Levy
Office: Meier Hall, Room 333C (North Campus)
Email: richard.levy@salemstate.edu
Phone: 978-542-6161
Fax: 978-542-6973

Washington Center Internship Program

Professor Kanishkan Sathasivam
Office: Meier Hall, Room 333E (North Campus)
Email: kanishkan.sathasivam@salemstate.edu
Phone: 978-542-7435
Fax: 978-542-6973

Summer program in Senator John Kerry's Washington D.C. office

Professor Daniel E. Mulcare
Office: Meier Hall, Room 333D (North Campus)
Email: dmulcare@salemstate.edu
Phone: 978-542-6470
Fax: 978-542-6973