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.

Summer 1: The Academic Phase (May 22 - June 29, 2012)

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 319 Anthropology of Muslim Cultures and Politics
• CAS EC 320 Economics of Less-Developed Regions
• CAS PO 211 Introduction to American Politics
• CAS PO 241 Introduction to Public Policy
• CAS PO 300 Special Topics in American Politics: Primaries and Caucuses
• CAS PO 366 History of American Foreign Relations Since 1898
• CAS PO 513 American Constitutional Law
• CAS PO 526 Public Opinion and Elections
• CAS PO 548 The Politics of Education
• CAS PS 372 Psychological Perspectives on War and Peace
• MET UA 515 History and Theory of Urban Planning

Summer 2: The Internship Phase (July 9 - August 17, 2012)

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.

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 25 -August 17, 2012)

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.