Political Entrepreneurship through Internships: Local to Global (Certificate)


At a Glance: program details

Certificate Map

  • Location:
  • Additional Program Fee: No
  • Second Language Requirement: No
If you want to see how policy change works firsthand, you may find a perfect fit with an internship at an organization that allows you to learn in person, in real time, how change occurs and policy is made.

Program Description

Requirements for the political entrepreneurship certificate program are coursework in the social sciences, humanities and business and an internship in a policy-related setting such as a government agency, a nongovernmental or nonprofit organization or a private enterprise that engages with public affairs.

The coursework prepares students to be civically engaged and to participate in policy processes, and a variety of internship opportunities exist for students whether their interests are in global, national, state or local issues.


Program Requirements

The certificate requires a total of 15 credit hours, of which at least 12 credit hours must be completed at the upper-division level. Nine credit hours must be from courses offered by The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. All courses must be completed with a grade of "C" (2.00 on a 4.00 scale) or higher.
Part One: Introductory Course (choose one course) -- 3 credit hours
Part Two: Policy and Leadership (choose one course) -- 3 credit hours
Part Three: Internship -- 6 credit hours
Students may elect to complete only 3 hours of internship in Part Three. Students selecting this option must complete six upper-division credits in Part Four.
Part Four: Related Electives -- 3 credit hours
Choose one to two courses, depending on how many internship credit hours are earned.

Prerequisite courses may be needed in order to complete the requirements of this certificate.

Enrollment Requirements

Requests to declare this certificate are reviewed by the academic advisor in the academic unit offering the certificate. Students may be contacted to discuss the certificate prior to the addition of the certificate to the student record.

A student pursuing an undergraduate certificate must be enrolled as a degree-seeking student at ASU. Undergraduate certificates are not awarded prior to the award of an undergraduate degree. A student already holding an undergraduate degree may pursue an undergraduate certificate as a nondegree-seeking graduate student.


Career Outlook

Graduates with this certificate are prepared for careers in public policy in a variety of organizational settings, domestic and global. Some graduates focus on developing or implementing policy; others engage in issue advocacy or critical assessment of policy.

Graduates who have combined this certificate with their major program of study may become more marketable to employers. They often decide to pursue employment in government, lobbying, public affairs consulting or nonprofit organizations.

Example Careers

Students who complete this degree program may be prepared for the following careers. Advanced degrees or certifications may be required for academic or clinical positions.

Management Analysts


  • Growth: 9.7%
  • Median Salary*: 95290
  Bright Outlook

Chief Executives


  • Growth: -8.2%
  • Median Salary*: 189520

Training and Development Managers


  • Growth: 6.5%
  • Median Salary*: 120000
  Bright Outlook

General and Operations Managers


  • Growth: 4.2%
  • Median Salary*: 98100
  Bright Outlook

Lawyers


  • Growth: 7.5%
  • Median Salary*: 135740
  Bright Outlook

Political Scientists


  • Growth: 6.6%
  • Median Salary*: 128020
  Bright Outlook

Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary


  • Growth: 3.7%
  • Median Salary*: 83770

Legislators


  • Growth: 3.4%
  • Median Salary*: 48090

Public Relations Managers


  • Growth: 5.9%
  • Median Salary*: 129430
  Bright Outlook

Urban and Regional Planners


  • Growth: 3.7%
  • Median Salary*: 79540

* Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).




Program Contact Information

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