Overview - Understanding the past, exploring the present and impacting the future
The State Government Program is a competitive internship program that affords students the opportunity to learn about South Carolina government operations through a 3 credit seminar class in the fall and an internship with a state agency in the spring. Students will earn academic credit for their internship.
The program supports students interning in state government and 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.
Eligibility
The State Government Program is open to all current South Carolina Honors College students. Students must possess maturity and a strong work ethic to interact with state government officials and agency administrators as a representative of the program.
Courses and Credits
The State Government Program is a two semester commitment:
Fall Semester:
SCHC 490: State Government Program: Seminar (3 credits)
Course attributes: Social Behavioral Science (Honors), GSS (Carolina Core)
The State Government Program: Seminar (SCHC 490) is completed in the fall, one semester prior to the State Government Program: Internship (SCHC 491). The seminar dwells heavily on state government operations and policymaking processes. Students have the chance to discuss current issues with a range of guest speakers, including government officials and state agency administrators. The course also encompasses instruction on job search techniques and supports students with their internship search for SCHC 491.
Spring Semester:
SCHC 491: State Government Program: Internship (3 credits)
Course attributes: Beyond the Classroom (Honors), Not Core
The State Government Program: Internship (SCHC 491) is completed in the spring. Students are required to work at least 150 hours throughout the spring semester and will complete academic coursework online.
Application Instructions
The application consists of:
- Student information (name, USC ID, GPA, major, etc.)
- Personal statement regarding interest in the program and relevance to educational and career goals (500 words or less)
- Resume
Application deadline for the 2024-25 cohort: Sunday, April 7, 11:59 p.m. EST.
Internship Sites
Examples of recent internship sites include, but are not limited to:
| Appleseed Legal Justice Center | Governor’s Office |
| Attorney General's Office | Lt. Governor’s Office |
| Bureau of Community Health and Chronic Disease Prevention | Office of Regulatory Staff |
| Department of Commerce | Retirement Investment System Commission |
| Department of Education | Richland Soil and Water Conservation District |
| Department of Health and Environmental Control | Senate Judiciary Committee |
| Department of Natural Resources | SC State Museum |
| House Democratic Caucus | SC Technical College System |
| House of Representatives | State Treasury Department |
| Human Affairs Commission | SC Supreme Court |