Government Department

Internship Credits

Note that a separate section of the Department website offers suggestions for finding internships in politics, government, and international affairs.

What is College policy on credit for an internship?
Under College policy, students may not receive credit for simply doing an internship, but only for academic work based on such an experience through "an approved program which provides an opportunity to apply and expand knowledge under expert supervision in an on or off-campus position." Such internships should provide a "structured learning experience," and "must be approved in advance by the department, and evaluated by a William and Mary faculty member." Finally, getting credit requires not only the hands-on experience of the internship but "an analytic or research component, and a final, written report."

What is Departmental policy on credit for an internship?
Along with the College's requirements above, the Department stipulates that Government credit will be granted for academic work done in connection to an internship only if the position

  • is with a political, governmental, advocacy or research organization (not a for-profit corporation or law firm);
  • involves at least five weeks of fulltime work (paid or uncompensated); and
  • allows the student opportunities to observe the political/policy process at work

In addition, the student must apply under one of the following options below and submit all necessary paperwork. Even then, credit for work done in conjunction with an internship is still contingent upon the availability of a faculty supervisor. There is thus no guarantee that a student will be able to obtain Government credit for work done in conjunction with an internship.

How do you go about arranging to receive Government credit?
Students of any major may seek to enroll in Government 498 under the following conditions [from the Govt. 498 form]:

a) Qualifying Internships: Government 498 allows enrolled/returning students of any major to receive either 1 or 3 credits for academic work done in conjunction with an internship undertaken in the fall, spring, or summer semesters for the equivalent of at least five weeks of work. Positions with international, federal, state, or local government; legislative offices at any level; political parties or campaigns; interest, advocacy, or lobbying groups; research institutions or think-tanks; or the media may qualify. Internships on a study abroad course may qualify (see below). Participation in an off-campus seminar or workshop alone does not qualify.

b) Academic Project: Students seeking to enroll in Government 498 are responsible for contacting a fulltime member of the Department faculty at least one month in advance of the internship start date in order to design an academic project to be completed in conjunction with the internship. The project should result in an original research paper of at least 10 double-spaced typewritten pages (1 credit option) or 25-30 double-spaced typewritten pages (3 credit option); the faculty supervisor will also assign reading in connection with the project. The availability of a faculty supervisor is entirely dependent upon previous commitments.

c) Approval Forms: The student should then a) complete the application and obtain the faculty supervisor’s signature; b) fill out the College’s Internship for Academic Credit form (Dean of Undergraduate Studies Office/website), including the signature of his/her external supervisor (faxed is acceptable); and c) attach a project description of no more than one page. All materials should be typewritten and submitted to the Associate Chair at least one month before the internship starts.

d) Registration: After the above steps are completed, the Department will notify the student to register himself/herself into Government 498. For summer internships, students may sign up for the course for the following fall semester rather than be enrolled in summer school (Note: If this would result in taking more than 18 credits in the fall, it is necessary to petition the Academic Status Committee for an overload).

e) Credit/Grading: The students must submit two copies of the completed paper—one to the faculty supervisor and another to the Department Associate Chair--within two weeks after the internship ends. A grade of pass or fail will be issued. A student may take Government 498 multiple times, but no more than six credits total may be taken in Government 498 and 494.

What if I will not know for certain about my internship until the last minute?

Once you know what internship you will be applying for, it makes sense at that stage to discuss a project with a faculty member and fill out the paperwork. This ensures that you will have things ready to go if the position comes through (otherwise you may miss the deadline or faculty will be overcommitted or both).

Will credit be granted for internship projects done as part of a program of study at another US university or abroad?

The Government Department only grants post-approval for credit done in conjunction with an internship/internship course done on all study abroad programs. To receive credit upon their return to campus, students must submit a) copies of all their original research/written work done in conjunction with the internship, b) evaluation of that work by a faculty member teaching at the other university or program, and c) the Reves Post-Approval form. These materials are required in order for post-approval credit to be awarded.

Where the work described in (a/b) meets the standards set out for students under Govt. 498 taken in residence at the College, credit will be granted. But students are strongly advised to determine in advance of the program whether the internship there is structured in such a way as to provide such an opportunity for original research/written work, and whether that work will in turn be evaluated by a faculty member there. If the first condition can not be met, the student should not expect to receive credit for Govt. 498. If the first condition can be met, but there is no on-site faculty evaluation of written work done for the internship, the student must arrange with a faculty member at the College to evaluate the written work so as to meet the requirements for receiving transfer credit for Govt. 498.

Will credit be granted for internship projects done in a program at another US university in the regular or summer semesters?
The Department offers only limited credit for internships done as part of programs run by other US universities, including those in Washington DC. Please click here for details.
Where are the necessary application forms?

Are there similar options in related programs like International Relations and Public Policy?
Both International Relations and Public Policy (PP 498) offer similar opportunities.

Is funding available to help cover costs?
The College offers modest stipends for students doing approved public affairs-related internships. Consult the Reves Center website for information on stipends, including for positions with the US State Department. Consult the Charles Center website for information about the Bertha Taylor internship stipends. And the Department offers some stipends to majors thanks to the Lawrence and Jean Irwin Memorial Endowment (application form PDF).

What else should be kept in mind about internships and credit?
Students undertaking internships that will take them away from campus for a semester or year should notify the Office of the Dean of Students before beginning the internship. International students who anticipate receiving payment should contact the Office of Multicultural Affairs, International Student Services concerning visa requirements.