Politics, Public Policy & Law Track

The late Tip O'Neill, Boston congressman and speaker of the US House of Representatives, was fond of saying that all politics is local—and there is no more interesting mix of local, state, and national politics than in Boston. As the urban hub of the metropolitan region and as the state capital of Massachusetts, Boston plays a major role in local and state politics. It is also the center of federal government for New England, home to numerous federal agencies, the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, and the First District of the Federal Reserve.

Through courses in areas such as international economics, public policy, political analysis and activism, international relations, and diplomacy, students prepare for internships at government agencies, think tanks, lobbying organizations, and PR firms, among others.

"I gained a strong sense of what working in politics is like. The training and experience you gain from a full-time job is a real strength of this program."
Justin Spooner, University of Nebraska at Lincoln
Intern, Massachusetts State Treasury, Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission

Summer 1: The Academic Phase
(May 21 - June 28, 2013)

You'll spend your first six weeks of the Summer Study Internship Program taking two 4-credit courses chosen from the following offerings in politics and public policy. The course section has descriptions and schedules.

Select Two:

  • CAS AN 348 Contemporary Globalization: An Anthropological Perspective
  • CAS EC 320 Economics of Less-Developed Regions
  • CAS HI 288 History of American Foreign Policy
  • CAS PO 211 Introduction to American Politics
  • CAS PO 241 Politics and Democracy in Spain
  • CAS PO 251 Introduction to Comparative Politics
  • CAS PO 300 Special Topics in American Politics
  • CAS PO 315 The Judicial Process
  • CAS PS 372 Psychological Perspectives on War and Peace
  • COM CM 409 Persuasion and Public Opinion
  • MET CJ 351 Criminal Law
  • MET UA 510 Selected Topics in Urban Affairs
  • MET UA 515 History and Theory of Urban Planning

Summer 2: The Internship Phase
(July 8 - August 16, 2013)

For the second six weeks of the program, you'll be placed as an intern in a Boston-area organization or business that matches your interests and experience. You should expect to work five days a week for a minimum of 35 hours. Most internships are unpaid.

Politics, Public Policy & Law Internship Opportunities

Internship placement opportunities are available at state, local, and federal government agencies; legal centers and law organizations; international agencies and organizations; think tanks; lobbying organizations and political action groups; and political parties.

Internship Placement

  • Guaranteed internship placement for 35 hours a week
  • Internship matches are based on your interests, abilities, and experience
  • All internship sites are accessible by public transportation
  • Visit our Placement Process page for additional information

Summer Study Internship Course
(May 24 -August 16, 2013)

The Summer Study Internship Program's 2-credit Internship Course meets on Fridays throughout Summer 1 and on three evenings in Summer 2. The primary emphasis of this course is to explore links between your academic tracks and your on-site professional experience, and to provide support and guidance as you prepare for your placement.

Internship Profile

Student: Haley Weinreich

Career Track: Politics, Public Policy & Law

Courses: Special Topics in American Politics; Public Opinion and Elections

Internship Site: MassVOTE

On the job: I interned at MassVOTE, a non-partisan organization that aims to increase voter registration and turnout, as well as education among historically underrepresented demographics in the United States. Along with conducting voter registration drives, I went to the Massachusetts State House almost every day to drop off information to the State Senators' and State Representatives' offices in support of a bill our organization was trying to pass. I even got to meet with the legislators themselves and talked to them one-on-one about why they should pass the Election Reform Bill. You can now download and print your Voter Registration Form thanks to the company I worked for!

Perspectives: This internship experience helped me understand the inner workings of a non-profit, as well as the responsibilities of an elected official. I also made a lot of fantastic contacts at the State House, which will no doubt help me in trying to get a job in the future. I would absolutely recommend this program to everyone I know. Not only am I on-track to graduate early in my own college program, but I have made some amazing contacts within my career path. The Boston University Summer Study Internship Program has prepared me for the rest of my college career, as well as my future as a (hopeful) politician.