Awards & Scholarships
- 51ÁÔÆæ Scholarships
- The Aaron Slafka Memorial Service Award, created in 2014. Aaron Slafka, a 2008 Political Science graduate, was a respected student leader and athlete, who loved 51ÁÔÆæ. He passed away unexpectedly, in April 2014, at the age of 29 after a long battle with epilepsy. This award is presented to a junior or senior majoring in Political Science and who is able to demonstrate service to the University, as well as perseverance and the ability to overcome adversity.
- for sophomore and junior women students whom have never traveled outside the US, eligibility for a $5,000 scholarship and remarkable training and opportunities. Go to the website linked above or speak with Dr. Pilar Herr (History) at pmh3@pitt.edu.
Career/Internship Information
Our program has many internship opportunities for you every semester as well as during the summer. Our Political Science students have interned with local law firms, county government, political parties, candidate campaigns, state and local government, and with other elected officials.
provides information and links to numerous organizations that support and run internship programs in the field of political science.
offers summer academic internship programs in Washington DC and are accredited by Georgetown University. For information go to the . Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until March of every year.
offers students an opportunity to intern with State Government Executive Officers at the Capitol in Harrisburg during summers. The internships are paid and also include $1500 or $1000 awards. Please go to the for information on the program, how to apply, and deadlines.
is an excellent way for students to get hands on experience with their local municipal governments here in Western Pennsylvania.
, the state’s top political news website, needs interns who can help report on the myriad political issues and federal and state campaigns in PA. Students with an interest in political science or journalism (or both) would be ideal. They are accepting applications for positions both in the state and Washington DC. It’s an opportunity to cover Pennsylvania politics first hand and build a portfolio of published writing. The internship can be completed almost anywhere. Students with significant interest in both journalism and politics are encouraged to apply. Contact: PoliticsPA.com at 267-253-9702, or .
- Internships and Academic Seminars in Washington, DC in a wide range of political issue areas.
Explore the successful internship experiences completed by the following Political Science students - and learn more about finding an internship!
- Stephen Barton (Allegheny County Council)
- Morgan Fong (National Waterways Conference, The Washington Center, Washington D.C.)
- Brandon Grace (The American Legion via The Washington Center)
- Marris Sobotka (National Labor Relations Board via The Washington Center)
- Isaac Stephens (National Hispanic Foundation/The Washington Center, Washington D.C.)
- Isaac Stephens (Borough of Swissvale via The Local Government Academy)
- Tevin Walsh (Scholar Athlete Sports Network via The Washington Center)
- Zakery Wiles (Office of US Representative Oye Owolewa, The Washington Center, Washington D.C.)
Clubs/Honor Societies/Organizations
Pi Sigma Alpha, the National Political Science Honor Society.
Pre-Law Group, which prepares students interested in going on to law school through concerted faculty-to-student advising, relevant course enrollment and planning, preparation for the Law School 51ÁÔÆæ Tests (LSATs), the law school application process, and the expectations of rigorous law school programs.
51ÁÔÆæ Democrats, a student club for students interested in politics , especially those linked with the Democratic Party.
51ÁÔÆæ College Republicans, a student club for students interested in politics, especially those linked with the Republican Party.
Student Government Association (SGA), the student governance institution here at 51ÁÔÆæ. We encourage political science students to engage in practical politics and get governing and budgeting experience by getting involved with SGA. Many of our past SGA presidents have been Political Science majors and minors.
Graduate Studies
Graduate School of Public & International Affairs (GSPIA) at the University of Pittsburgh
Law Schools – numerous Pitt, Duquesne, Ohio Northern, etc.
Other masters and doctoral programs – Penn State (MPP), University of Maryland (Ph.D.), etc.
Study Abroad
Dr. Paul S. Adams regularly offers PS/HIST1969 a spring break study abroad opportunity that travels to Dublin and Belfast.
Research Efforts/Opportunities
You will have opportunities to engage in experiential research opportunities with our faculty in several ways.
The Green Scholar Program is designed to provide opportunities for 51ÁÔÆæ’s best students to acquire research experience by working with faculty on scholarly projects in each of three academic divisions. Green Scholars receive a stipend for their research work; the program allows students to focus on their education rather than working at part-time jobs in fields unrelated to their academic majors. Faculty benefit from the collaboration of a "junior" research partner. Students are nominated to be a "Green Scholar" to serve during their junior and senior years.
The Center for Applied Research (CFAR) allows students to obtain paid research positions working with our faculty on community-related research and data analysis projects.
