University of South Carolina

SC Semester Internship Program

The South Carolina Semester Internship Program affords students opportunities to work in state government while earning academic credit.  Students serve as interns in the South Carolina General Assembly, the Office of the Governor and in a broad range of state agencies. Through this practical experience students have the chance to witness firsthand the operation of state government and various facets of public service.  This program is applicable to all majors.  The decisions made by state lawmakers affect all facets of life and all professions.  Understanding how state government operates will be an advantage regardless of your career path.

Take a look at a few of the state agencies and government-related organizations where our students have interned in the past:

Governor's Office

Department of Agriculture, Legal Office

State Department of Education

South Carolina Department of Commerce

Senate Judiciary Committee

Office of the Treasurer of South Carolina

Senate Transportation Office

Department of Natural Resources, Legal Office

South Carolina School Boards Association

Human Affairs Council

House Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee

About the course:

 This internship program is offered each spring semester.  The internship is a three credit hour class, SCHC 489A.  Students work 20 hours per week during the semester.  The student works with their office supervisor to establish a work schedule that does not interfere with other class meeting times.

The seminar course, which accompanies the internship, is a three credit hour class, SCHC 333A.  The class dwells heavily on state government operations and public policy issues.  In addition, students have the chance to discuss current state government issues with a range of guest speakers including government officials and state agency administrators. 

Both the internship and seminar class must be taken together for a total of six credit hours.  While participating in the South Carolina Internship program, most students only enroll in an additional nine credit hours due to the time required for the internship work.  This program is offered during the spring semester only.

"I had a great experience working at the State House in the Senate Transportation Committee office.  The staff was extremely helpful in teaching me about state government.  They have hired me to work for the committee next semester."

-- Kim Osborne

Instructor

Fred R. Sheheen is a Senior Fellow at the Institute for Public Service and Policy Research at the University of South of South Carolina and Director of the Non-Profit Leadership Institute at Francis Marion University.  Mr. Sheheen served as Commissioner and Executive Director of the SC Commission on Higher Education for ten years. He also served as press secretary to the late Donald Russell in his service as Governor and U.S. Senator for the State of South Carolina. His knowledge of state government is based on decades of involvement with key policymakers, state agencies and as one of the change agents in South Carolina's history.

Eligibility

Students are accepted from all of the University's academic departments.  The decisions made at the state government level affect all citizens. An understanding of how state government operates is beneficial in any career.   Applicants must have a 3.0 grade point average or better and qualify for junior-status based on the total number of hours earned at the University of South Carolina, credit transferred from other colleges, or AP/IB credit earned. To achieve junior-status, you must have at least a total of 60 hours. Students must possess maturity and a strong work ethic to serve in a legislative or government office as a representative of the South Carolina Semester Internship Program.

Application Information -

To apply for the South Carolina Semester Internship Program, which is a six credit hour course, please submit the following information:

1. The online application form.
2. A typed statement of the relevance of the S. C. Semester Program to your educational and career goals (approximately one page, double-spaced, 12 pt. Font).
3. A resume.
4. The VIP version of your grade report. We need to see the cumulative hours earned (transfer, AP/IB credit, and USC credit) which is totaled on the VIP version of your transcript. An official transcript from the Registrar's office is not necessary.
5. One letter of recommendation. Please select a person who can speak to your academic qualities, work ethic, maturity and character.  The letter can be addressed to: The Selection Committee.

After submitting the online application form, please submit the remaining application materials as one complete package. All questions and completed applications should be submitted to:

Beth Watson
Directer of Internship Programs
South Carolina Honors College
Harper College, Room 220A
University of South Carolina
Columbia, SC 29208

Phone: (803) 777-1180
e-mail: beth.h@sc.edu