Experiential Education
Learning outside the classroom will allow you to explore careers, to improve skills and provide work experience sought by employers.
Internships
Students who intern during their undergraduate years are better prepared for job interviews, have references from the business world, have explored possible careers, and are more competitive when applying for jobs. We encourage students to enhance their academic career by interning during the academic year or during the summer.
Internships provide opportunities to:
- practice your interviewing skills
- apply your academic skills in the workplace
- explore careers
- meet professionals in your field of interest
- gain valid work experience before graduating
Contact Dr. Steven Landis (slandis@nd.edu), Associate Director of Undergraduate Studies, to lean more or visit the Center for Career Development.
Study Abroad
Diversify your learning through international experiences on a Notre Dame study abroad program.
Washington Program
“Being in the Washington program is one of the best experiences. For those students who are interested in understanding more how politics work, you're living in where it's happening,” said Julio Salazar, a political science major and participant in Notre Dame’s Washington Program.
Run by The Rooney Center for the Study of American Democracy, sophomores and juniors from any major or college at the University of Notre Dame may participate in the semester-long Washington Program. Students live in apartments in downtown Washington, D.C., and take classes focused on politics and policy while also interning part-time with government offices, members of Congress, media companies, or cultural institutions. Students gain professional experience, learn to network, and experience the unique opportunities of big city living.
Funding and Research
Political Science majors take advantage of the opportunity to explore fundamental questions and contribute to a scholarly conversation.
As undergraduates in the College of Arts and Letters, students have the funding and support to make their research projects happen. Students conduct original research, assist faculty members with their research, and plan and execute year-long senior thesis projects.
Attend Conferences
Political Science majors present research, expand their networks, and become more knowledgeable about the discipline through attendance at a variety of conferences, including:
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Air Force Academy Conference, Colorado Springs, Colorado
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Naval Academy Foreign Affairs Conference, Annapolis, Maryland
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United States Military Academy Conference, West Point, New York
Clubs and Organizations
The department supports a number of student clubs and organizations including Pi Sigma Alpha and Beyond Politics.
Interested in joining Notre Dame’s Pi Sigma Alpha? Apply here!