Santa Clara University

DOMESTIC PUBLIC SECTOR STUDY PROGRAMS

Through the Public Sector Studies program of the Department of Political Science, students have the opportunity to participate in public sector internships, the Washington semester program, and the Panetta Institute program. These programs offer preparation and training for students who are interested in working at the city, county, state, or federal level of government, or in a public agency or nonprofit organization. They also provide an excellent foundation for those who would like to pursue graduate studies in public policy or public administration and an alternative perspective for students who wish to pursue public law.

Placements in the public sector internships range from the mayor’s office of San Jose to the White House and have included the public affairs departments of high-tech corporations, public law offices, political campaigns, and nonprofit organizations. In the Washington semester program, students live, study, and work at internships in Washington, D.C. for one semester along with other students from throughout the country. Students work at a public sector internship and participate in classes and other programs at American University. The Panetta Institute at California State University–Monterey Bay conducts a fall leadership program each year, which includes studies at the Panetta Institute in Monterey and in Washington, D.C. One fully subsidized position in this program is reserved each year for an exceptional Santa Clara University student.