The Ohio State University Department of Political Science

Gluck Statehouse Internship Program

Ohio State House

Gluck Statehouse Internship Program

About the Autumn 2026 Internship

The State Government Internship Program is coordinated through a partnership between The Ohio State University Office of Government Affairs and the Department of Political Science. The Ohio State Office of Government Affairs works to build and support productive relationships with public officials and their staff. The team works regularly with members of Congress, the Governor's Office, Mayor's Office, Ohio General Assembly, Columbus City Council, and other federal, state, and local agencies on legislative, regulatory, and budget actions impacting the university and the higher education community. This internship provides sophomores, juniors, and seniors with demonstrated financial need the opportunity to complete a semester-long internship with the Ohio General Assembly.

Selected students will:

  • Be placed in the office of a State Representative, State Senator, or caucus policy office in downtown Columbus.
  • Be enrolled in POLITSC 4191 for 3 credit hours offered Asynchronously and graded A-E
  • Attend three professional development seminars focused on working in state government.
  • Gain hands-on experience with: 
    • Constituent services
    • Research and policy analysis
    • Drafting letters and memos
    • Recognizing constituent and community achievements
    • Attending committee hearings and legislative sessions

Students will have the opportunity to observe policymaking in action while building professional relationships with public officials and government staff.

Transportation is not provided; however, the Ohio Statehouse is accessible via several COTA bus routes using an active BuckID.

Program Requirements

Students selected for the program must:

  • Work 10–15 hours per week onsite in blocks of 4–5 hours.
  • Attend a required pre-internship orientation on Tuesday, September 8, 2026.
  • Attend three seminars (held during September, October, and November).
  • Complete all internship agreement forms and course assignments required for POLITSC 4191.
  • Availability on Tuesdays and Wednesdays is preferred but not required.

Gluck-Asher Financial Award

Five students with demonstrated financial need will be selected for the program and will be eligible to receive a one-time $1,000 award credited to their student account at the end of the semester.

To receive the award, students must:

  • Successfully complete all internship program requirements.
  • Earn at least a B in the appropriate section of Political Science 4191.

This award is made possible through the generous support of Ohio State alumnus Barry Gluck in honor of Professor Emeritus Herb Asher to support students interested in careers in public service.

Please note that the award cannot exceed a student's cost of attendance.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

  • Be enrolled at Ohio State's Columbus campus.
  • Have earned at least 30 graded credit hours.
  • Have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA.
  • Be a sophomore, junior, or senior (can be a first-year but the student has to have at least 30 graded hours on Columbus campus).
  • Demonstrate financial need.
  • Intend to enroll in POLITSC 4191 for internship credit.

Transfer students must have completed 12–15 credit hours at Ohio State in a single semester before applying.

Application Materials

Application Link: https://osu.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_06ZACom9FQT5pnE and/or go.osu.edu/Gluck2026 

Applicants will need:

  • A resume (uploaded within the application)
  • Their Autumn 2026 class schedule (uploaded within the application)
  • A personal statement (completed within the application)

Application Timeline

  • Application Opens: Tuesday, July 7, 2026
  • Application Deadline: Friday, July 31, 2026
  • Application Review Period: August 1–30, 2026
  • Finalists Notified: Monday, August 31, 2026
  • Decision Deadline for Finalists: Friday, September 4, 2026

Students selected for the program will be enrolled in POLITSC 4191 (3 credit hours) for the 7-week second session of Autumn 2026 by the Department of Political Science Internship Coordinator Sydney F. Green.

Please note that the Spring 2027 application will open Monday, November 16.

Questions?

Please contact Department of Political Science Internship Coordinator Sydney F. Green.2525 if you have a questions/concern.