A Hinckley internship is a unique academic opportunity that allows students to step out of the classroom and gain real-world experience in government offices and with nonprofit organizations. The Hinckley Institute of Politics places more than 300 students every year in local, state, national and international internships.

Not sure which internship is for you? Supplement and expand your classroom knowledge by completing multiple internships throughout your undergraduate career. Many students start by completing a local or election internship during their sophomore or junior years and then embark on a Washington, D.C. or international internship during their senior year.

Support these student internship opportunities by clicking here.

eligibility
In order to complete a Hinckley internship, you must be an undergraduate matriculated student at the University of Utah. Students who graduate from the University of Utah are also eligible to complete a Hinckley internship during the semester following graduation, but they are still required to register for academic credit for their internship.

For graduate students, the University of Utah’s Master of Public Policy (MPP), Master of Public Administration (MPA) and Master of International Affairs & Global Enterprise (MIAGE) programs have partnered with the Hinckley Institute of Politics to place students in graduate-level internships abroad and in Washington D.C.

Internship Locations
Washington, D.C.
Students are placed with organizations and government offices such as the White House, U.S. Supreme Court, and Congressional offices. The Hinckley Institute provides a scholarship and housing subsidy for Washington, D.C. interns.

International
The Hinckley Institute offers international internships in more than 35 different countries, including Thailand, China, Bolivia, India, Australia, Scotland, and Mexico.

State Legislature
Interns serve as staff aides to legislators, the press, and lobbying organizations during the Utah legislative sessions. Utah State legislative interns are required to complete the Political Science 3900 "Legislative Internship Preparation" course in the fall semester preceding the legislative internship.

Local & Campaigns
The Hinckley Institute of Politics also offers part-time internships with many local government, lobbying, and nonprofit offices such as the Utah Governor’s office, the Utah Attorney General’s Office, and the Salt Lake City Mayor’s Office. During the summer and fall semesters the Hinckley Institute also offers part to full-time internships on local and statewide election campaigns.

Capital Encounter
Capital Encounter is a one-week program, targeted to students who cannot serve a regular, 15-week internship in Washington. Nine to eleven students travel with Professor Tim Chambless to Washington, D.C. in the Spring Semester of each year. Students who engage in this whirlwind of activity get to meet with Utah's Congressional Delegation as well as other prominent political leaders and tour sites such as the White House, Library of Congress, and U.S. Capitol Building.

Setting up your own internship
If you want to pursue or have already set up your own internship, you may submit a proposal to the Hinckley Institute to request academic credit and/or institutional support. Click here for more information and speak to the intern manager.

Internships by Majors

Not a political science major?  Not a problem click here to see internships for all majors!

 

Internship Dates

Internship academic Requirements
Hinckley interns are required to register for the Political Science 4900, 4901, 4902, or 4903 depending on the type of internship, or Political Science 4909 for students seeking credit toward a Service Learning Scholar degree, or 5900 for students seeking credit toward an Honors Degree during the semester of their internship.

- Research Paper (most significant part of the grade)
-Book Review
-Supervisor evaluation of intern
-Student evaluation of internship
-Meeting Attendance and Intern Hour Tracking Sheet

Below is a breakdown of internship hours, academic credit, and research paper lengths. Note that the number of credit hours taken correlates with the number of hours worked and the research paper length varies with the number of credit hours taken.

Grade Posting

• If intern submits research paper and all accompanying documentation by last day of internship (last day of classes as listed on academic calendar), intern’s grade will be posted by “grade available” date as listed on university academic calendar.
• If intern submits research paper and all accompanying documentation by standard due date (roughly 8 weeks after internship), intern’s grade will be posted by the “grade available” date of the semester immediately following the internship semester, as listed on the university academic calendar.
How to apply
1) Browse the Hinckley Institute Website
Feel free to browse the Internships section of our website to see what the Hinckley Institute has to offer. Information and web links are provided to educate you about each internship opportunity. Make a ranked list of which internship offices are of the most interest to you.

2) Submit the Online Application Cover Sheet
Fill out and submit the Online Application Cover Sheet (keep track of your "access code" for future reference). Once you have submitted the online cover sheet, a pdf document with a copy of your online cover sheet, the internship application checklist, academic form, and letter of recommendation forms will appear. You will use these documents to compile your internship application.

3) Compile the Internship Application
Use the "internship application checklist" printed off in step 2 to compile your application. A complete application includes the following items:

• Online application cover sheet (hard copy)
• Current resume
• 2-4 letters of recommendation (at least one letter must be an academic reference)
• Personal statement
• 4-5 page writing sample
• Signed academic form
• Official University of Utah Transcript
• Completed application checklist

4) Submit the Completed Internship Application
Drop off your completed internship application to the Hinckley Institute of Politics. The Hinckley Institute is located in Room 253 of Orson Spencer Hall, and is open Monday - Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

5) Meet with the Internship Manager
Once your application is submitted, e-mail our intern managers Courtney McBeth (International), Lindsay Zizumbo ( DC, Local, Legislative) to set up an appointment. You will be interviewed to help you find an internship that matches your interests and qualifications.

Application Deadlines
Deadlines are subject to change based on internship availability. Please contact the Hinckley Institute for more information.