Political Science Student Opportunities

Outside the classroom, you’ll have many opportunities to learn by doing, including internships, club activities and intensive simulations like the annual Model UN conference in New York City, where you can network with students from around the world.

Internships

The Political Science Department offers a wide range of internships for students interested in politics and government. These internships can take place in capitals—Washington, D.C. and Albany, N.Y.—internationally, locally or even in your own hometown.

Internships range from part-time, to full-time, full-semester opportunities. Full-time placements are professional-level placements in the legislative and executive branches of New York state government, federal executive agencies, Congress, interest groups or federal courts.

Washington, D.C. Internship Programs

Experience the nation’s capital, learn from experts, explore your career paths, earn credits, and build a network for your future! The SUNY Washington Internship Program allows students to experience the excitement of our nation’s capital, an ideal location to experience direct involvement in politics and all other professional fields.

  • Semester and summer programs are offered
  • Founded in 1967; more than 4,000 students have participated in this program
  • Open to junior, senior and graduate students

Albany Internship Programs

Prospective interns must be approved by the department first and then apply to the programs through the department. These programs do not accept applications directly from students.

International Internships

The SUNY Global Education Program offers internationally focused internships in New York City. The SUNY Global Engagement Program is designed to foster global citizenship. It provides students with the opportunity to immerse themselves in global affairs work conducted in New York City.

The SUNY Washington Internship Program also offers internationally themed internships in think tanks and advocacy groups.

Local and Regional Internships

Local internship placements are possible throughout the academic year, both in Oneonta and in your hometown. Each student works with the internship coordinator to develop a placement that works for them. As with all of our internships, there is an academic component in addition to a work placement in a professional setting. Students involved in a local internship can earn 1-6 semester hours of course credit during the spring and fall, and up to nine credits in the summer. 

University Funding Opportunities

James ’75 and Mary Ajello Internship Fund: The James ’75 and Mary Ajello Internship Fund awards recipients up to $5,000. It encourages students to undertake internship opportunities by offsetting a variety of costs like housing, food, tuition and program fees, transportation and airfare, and by providing a living stipend. Award winners must be registered in a credit-bearing internship (e.g. POLS 3697 or 4697) to receive funds.

Jay Jacobs Fund for Experiential Learning: The Jay Jacobs ’77 Fund for Experiential Learning awards funds for credit-bearing internships, study abroad or field experiences such as Model UN or other faculty-led trips. Monetary assistance offsets a variety of costs that may inhibit students from taking these opportunities. Award winners must be registered in a credit-bearing study abroad program, internship (e.g. POLS 3697 or 4697), or a course to receive the funds. 

Model UN

Established at Oneonta in 2005, the Model United Nations (MUN) course provides students with an opportunity to learn about global issues and the United Nations through an experiential learning format. Students enrolled in the Model UN course will join 3,500 university students from around the world at a MUN Conference at the United Nations headquarters in New York City.

Each Model UN delegation represents a particular country and every student also receives a UN Committee assignment. In the Model UN class (POLS 3800, a three-credit course) delegates prepare for the conference by researching and learning about their committees’ issues, the United Nations’ committee system and operating procedures, and their country's international and domestic politics. Once at the conference, they may receive a mission briefing from diplomats of their assigned country and debate proposals put forth to address these issues. Through a student-centered and operated simulation exercise in diplomacy, delegates gain a better understanding of the inner workings of the UN and develop negotiation and intercultural communication skills by discussing and debating current world issues from the perspectives of the countries they represent. 

Political Science Conference

SUNY Oneonta's annual Undergraduate Political Science Conference is organized by the Political Science Club and features student presenters and discussants from colleges and universities throughout New York state and beyond.

The conference provides a chance for highly motivated Political Science students from many institutions to share questions, information and insights about various aspects of political science. As a student organizer, you can gain leadership experience, network with peers from other schools, and engage in intellectual debate in a professional conference setting.

The conference features a keynote speaker each year. Past speakers have included Peter Ennis, associate professor in the Department of Government and executive director of the Roper Center for Public Opinion Research at Cornell University; Peter Balakian, poet, writer and professor of humanities at Colgate University; and Kristi Andersen, professor of political science at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Syracuse University, among others.

Student Organizations

Join one of our many political-science-related student organizations to get involved on campus and make friends who share your interests!

Contact the Political Science Department

Address

219 Alumni Hall
108 Ravine Parkway
Oneonta, NY 13820
United States