The Hinckley Washington, DC, internship offers a unique and fantastic opportunity to spark an acceleration of one’s pathway to life and exploration. In my eyes it is utterly the most beneficial learning experience that I have gotten from what has already been a fantastic education at the U. Further, in the city of lobbying, it seems fitting that this program is the one that doesn’t need it. I guarantee that it is something that you will never regret! Take advantage and enjoy!–Kyle Rehn, ACLU, Spring 2011
OVERVIEW
The Hinckley Institute boasts one of the nation’s longest-standing DC internship programs in the nation, dating back to 1965. We provide more than 100 students annually with full-time, paid internships in a variety of government institutions, public advocacy groups, and media and consulting firms. Hinckley interns are provided internship scholarships to cover expenses, subsidized housing in central DC apartments, and up to 12 hours of academic credit.
HOW FINANCIALLY FEASIBLE IS IT FOR STUDENTS?
Most university-run Washington, DC, internship programs charge students thousands of dollars to participate in their programs. The Hinckley Institute, however, has created a program where a student’s financial status should not inhibit his or her ability to serve. Accordingly, the Hinckley interest guarantees students a national leading MINIMUM scholarship of approximately $850/month to cover living expenses. In addition, the Hinckley Institute heavily subsidizes housing costs. (Total rent cost is $800/month, the HIP covers $400/month and charges the student $400/month). Subsidized housing is available at Park Place apartments for only $400/month. The apartments are located at 850 Quincy Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20011. Four to five students share a two-bedroom, furnished apartment. Occasionally, the Hinckley Insitute allows non-University of Utah students to stay in the student apartments for $800/month. All students are required to put down a non-refundable $100 down payment before they occupy the apartments, which will be applied towards their rent.
Students should understand the costs associated with a DC internship and budget accordingly. Here is an online calculator to help students budget costs. Students are also eligible to apply for the Bill Rishel Loan which offers up to $2500 a year to undergraduate students. The Bill Rishel Loan is low interest and students don’t begin paying back the loan until after graduation.
IS IT LIMITED TO POLITICAL SCIENCE MAJORS?
No. Hinckley Internships are open to students of all majors. Indeed, we place just as many non-political science students as we do political science students. Click here to see all of our internships listed by major. We also encourage students to secure their own internships. If it meets our bylaws, we can secure you credit and possibly funding and housing as well. To discuss this matter further, set up an appointment with our DC Program Manager,Courtney McBeth.
HOW COMPETITIVE IS THE APPLICATION PROCESS?
The Hinckley Institute of Politics seeks to send undergraduate students who have a high GPA and demonstrate independence, maturity, and responsibility. The summer DC semester is by far the most competive (the average grade point average is a high 3.7). We also typically reserve DC internships for sophomores through seniors, except for Hinckley-Honors Track students.
SEMESTERS OFFERED
- Summer Semester
- Fall Semester
- Spring Semester
APPLICATION DEADLINES
GOVERNMENT INTERNSHIPS
Congressman Rob Bishop (R-UT)
Congressman Jason Chaffetz
Congressman Jim Matheson (D-UT)
Senator Mike Lee (R-UT)
Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT)
Congressman Pete Sessions (R-TX)
Congressman Mike Simpson (R-ID)
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV)
Senator Max Baucus (D-MT)
Senator John Kerry (D-MA)
House Committee on Foreign Attairs
House Appropriations Committee
Senate Committee on Rules and Administration
Senate Finance Committee
Senate Judiciary Committee
U.S. Supreme Court, Office of the Curator
The White House
Department of Energy
Department of Interior
Environmental Protection Agency
Federal Judicial Center
Health and Human Services
National Archives and Records Administration
Securities and Exchange Commission
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Office of the Surgeon General
U.S. Government Accountability Office
U.S. International Trade Commission
U.S. State Department
U.S. Treasury Department
LOBBYING/ADVOCACY GROUPS, GOV. RELATIONS, PUBLIC POLICY, CONSULTING
American Civil Liberties Union
Protects civil liberties of individuals, organizations
AMIDEAST
Strengthens ties between Americans and peoples of the Middle East.
Business Industry Political Action Committee (BIPAC)
BIPAC enables more effective business participation in the political process by offering a wide range of tools and strategies to help corporations and associations reach their public policy goals.
Bockorny Group
Bi-partisan consulting firm.
Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, P.C.
This is one of the most widely recognized law and policy firms in the western U.S. and a political powerhouse.
The Campaign Legal Center
Lobbying for campaign finance and media reform
The Caring Institute
A Nonprofit organization founded to honor and promote the values of caring, integrity and public service.
Committee for Education Funding
Coalition supporting increased education funding
Common Cause
Nonpartisan nonprofit advocacy organization
The Dershowitz Group
A strategic services and public relations firm.
Dutko Worldwide
Bi-partisan public policy management firm.
Fresenius
A government relations for international medical device company.
Genocide Intervention Network
The Genocide Intervention Network empowers individuals and communities with the tools to prevent and stop genocide.
The Heritage Foundation
A conservative policy analysis and research center for partisan internships
The International Institute for Strategic Studies
The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) is the world’s leading authority on political-military conflict.
Marcus Faust & Associates
Public relations and lobbying firm.
Medical Care Development, Intl.
Organization dedicated to improving world health.
Mendez England & Associates
Mendez specializes in international consulting for various non-profit organizations and government agencies.
Mickey Ibarra & Associates
A government and public affairs firm.
The Mitchell Group
International consulting for government agencies.
Molly Allen & Associates
Public relations and lobbying firm.
National Association for Home Care and Hospice
The nation's largest trade association representing the interests of home care agencies, hospices, and home care aide organizations.National Council on US Arab Relations
American non-profit educational organization dedicated to improving American knowledge and understanding of the Arab world.
National Education Association
Lobbying to improve the quality of education.
PaL-Tech, Inc.
International consulting & multimedia services.
R&R Partners
Public relations and lobbying firm.
RESULTS, Inc.
Researches health and social issues.
Save the Children
Seeks to aid children throughout the world.
Sierra Club
The Club is America's oldest, largest, and most influential grassroots environmental organization.
Simon & Company
Municipal and county government issues.
Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance
Lobbying for wilderness issues affecting Southern Utah.
U.S. Conference of Mayors
Unites city governments to lobby for city issues.
Veterans of Foreign Wars
Providing services to veterans and communities.
Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars
A nonpartisan institution, supported by public and private funds, engaged in the study of national and world affairs.
MEDIA AND COMMUNICATIONS
ABC News
Nightline, World News Tonight, This Week
CQ Weekly
Provides non-partisan news and analysis on how legislation is shaped, who is shaping it and how it could affect your interests.
Dershowitz Group
Strategic communications firm servicing international policy-based clients
GMMB
Full service political consulting, strategic communications and advertising firm
GOP TV
Broadcast division of the Republican National Committee
National Public Radio (NPR)
Non-profit, national radio station
Policy Impact Strategic Communications
Full-service public and government relations firm
Politico
Reuters
Thomson Reuters is the world's largest international multimedia news agency
Roll Call
Capitol Hill newspaper
Diplomatic Courier
Premier global affairs and policy magazine
PARTISAN ORGANIZATIONS
College Republican National Committee
Democratic Leadership Council
Leading a new democrativ movement towards innovative and progressive ideas.
Democratic National Committee
Official Democratic Party organization.
Republican National Committee
Official Republican Party organization.
Republican Governor's Association
Official public policy and political organization of the Republican Governors of the United States.
Center for American Progress
Working to strengthen progressive voices on college and university campuses and empower new progressive leaders nationwide.
NDN
Recruiting, promoting and funding candidates to prepare a new generation of Democrats
