The Pennsylvania Capital Semester
Started in fall 2009, The Institute for Public Affairs sponsors an internship semester each fall in Harrisburg in association with Temple’s Harrisburg campus. Students have the opportunity to explore government affairs, policymaking and implementation first-hand while being full-time students and staying on track to graduation. Applications for the fall 2010 semester are being accepted on a rolling basis.
Go To:
The Internship
Requirements and Application
Academic Program
Housing and Transportation
News
Contacts
- This program is open to students of any major and college, and is modeled on a study abroad placement. Students will experience total immersion in state institutions and state politics in Harrisburg.
- Placements include executive branch agencies, the state legislature, and government related private and non-profit employers. Placements are also individualized to each student, as Temple establishes the initial contacts and sets up interviews, if need be.
- Some internships are paid, but some are not. Given the current budget crisis, the state has suspended most paid internships. Still, there are some paid internships out there.
- Depending on placement, interns will work on specific legislation, legislative analysis, constituent service, policy research, organizing meetings, public relations, grassroots campaigns, special events, press releases, writing newsletters, economic development projects, writing news stories, reporting on legislative hearings, lobbying, advocacy for particular policies/groups, information systems or web design & maintenance, or placement in the Capitol newsroom.
- Internships might involve outside activities, such as fundraisers, press conferences, receptions and other special events.
- Enrollment in the program includes a $500 award to be received at the end of September 2010.
- Students must be juniors or seniors by the beginning of the internship semester and possess a minimum 3.0 GPA.
- Applicants must complete PS 1101, The American Political System before starting the internship semester.
- All interested students must complete an application, including a resume, transcript, writing sample and two faculty recommendations (form available here). Students are encouraged to submit any piece of writing 3-10 pages in length that demonstrates their abilities. It is also highly recommended for students to polish their resumes with aid of Temple’s Career Center: http://www.temple.edu/studentaffairs/careercenter/
- Applications are available here. Please email to Michelle J. Atherton, Assistant Director, Institute for Public Affairs, at mjather@temple.edu.
- Applications for fall 2010, are due by April 1, 2010. Please submit the application as early as possible. Decisions on early applications will begin March 1. It is best to apply early, as internship placements are competitive.
- The full semester consists of the internship of 3-9 credits (generally 10 to 30 hours of internship experience) an internship seminar and State Politics and Policy. Both are political science courses. Students can also sign up for an additional course, or courses, in their respective departments, most likely as independent study.
- PS 2107: Internship Seminar: Public-Private Cooperation in Public Policymaking and Program Implementation. This course includes strategies for getting the most out of an internship, a context for the internship experience --the basic interactions between the public and private sectors at the state and local level, a special focus on interaction between the state executive branch; legislature and the legislative process; nonprofits, advocacy organizations, lobbying or trade associations; and local economic development organizations. Instructor: Michael Cassidy, Executive Director, Office of the Democratic Caucus Chairman, Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
- PS 3107: State Politics and Policy. This course examines the institutions, politics and policy making of American state governments with special emphasis on the Commonwealth of PA. It also examines the state’s special place in the structure of American federalism and how this has changed over time, and explores why state governments often produce different solutions to similar problems. Instructor: Michael R. King, Ph.D., Executive Director, Legislative Office for Research Liaison, Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
- The academic program will run on a Monday through Thursday schedule, allowing students ample time to travel back and forth between Philadelphia and Harrisburg, if need be. Some internships might require students to be in Harrisburg on Fridays.
- Temple can arrange housing at the International House in downtown Harrisburg (within one block of the Capitol and Temple Harrisburg). General information is available here:
- http://www.ihousehbg.org/
- Interested students should notify Temple no later than May 1, as a reduced rate is available. ($765/mo. single; $515/mo. double. Rates include utilities. All rooms have kitchenettes.)
- Temple Harrisburg is located within a two block radius of the Capitol building and the Amtrak train station. See this map of downtown Harrisburg.
Further Information:
The Pennsylvania Capital Semester recently launched its inaugural semester. News and further information is available through the link above.
- Michelle J. Atherton, Assistant Director
Institute for Public Affairs
840 Anderson Hall
215-204-9074
- For information on internship placement options contact:
Michael Cassidy, Program Administrator and Seminar Instructor