Internship Program

Our internship program draws on the resources of New York City as a center of international politics and culture. It provides practical training in the kinds of research and report-writing required for careers in public and non-governmental service, policy research, cultural affairs and political advocacy. It enables you to make professional contacts in fields you are interested in joining and to share your skills with organizations as you explore a particular field or issue. Organizations providing internships include (but are not limited to) human rights organizations, UN agencies and missions, media organizations, policy research groups and other non-governmental agencies.

An internship involves 10-15 hours of work per week per semester. You receive up to 4 points towards the degree by registering for the course: G68.2997 Internship. Interns must submit weekly progress reports on their internship projects and a mid- and end of semester report.

Application Requirements

Students who wish to engage in history-related work in an agency or institute within or outside New York University (eg. a UN agency, archive, museum, library, philanthropic organization, publishing house or an appropriate television program) may apply for up to 4 credit points. You must register your internship at the Wasserman Center here.

The work may be done on campus or at other (domestic and overseas) sites. Interns must devote a minimum of 10 hours a week to their work. Internship duties cannot exceed 20 hours per week during the fall and spring academic semesters, but full-time internships are permitted during the summer term.

A maximum of two internship courses may be taken for credit and no more than six credits can be earned in internship courses.

Internship experiences beyond the parameters listed above must be approved in advance by the Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs.

Application Materials

1. A 250-word proposal or description of the work.

2. A letter from a sponsor agreeing to supervise and evaluate the intern’s activities and accomplishments during the internship. The employer should understand that interns are not entitled to wages during the internship (meal/travel stipends are not considered wages.)

To complete the internship and receive a grade or Pass/Fail, the student must submit the following to the DGS by the last day of classes for the semester:

1. You must register on Albert (G68.2997) for an internship with the Program Coordinator and decide with the DGS if you are taking the class for 1, 2, 3 or 4 credits at the beginning of the semester. You can also choose to have the internship count as a Pass/Fail (only at the beginning of the semester).

2. A 5-8 page paper on the internship, which may be submitted as a daily log, a more traditional thematically organized paper, or a series of reflections from the internship. This must be received by the last week of classes.

3. You should be in touch with the DGS during midterms with information about your progress and any problems you encounter.

4. A supervisor’s evaluation (at least 250 words), which must include a proposed grade.