What Do Political Science Programs Include?
If you’re curious about how governments make decisions, or if you’re considering a future in politics, law or public policy, political science programs for high school students can offer a valuable first look. These programs introduce you to topics such as government, public policy, civic engagement, law, and leadership. Depending on the program, you might gain hands-on experience by working in a government office, assisting with community policy initiatives, analyzing legislation, or serving on a youth advisory council.
Some programs even place you directly inside city halls, state legislatures, congressional offices, or nonprofit advocacy organizations, giving you a direct view of how public institutions operate. Other programs focus more on policy research, legislative writing, or community organizing. You might attend speaker series with elected officials, participate in simulations of the legislative process, or contribute to real policy recommendations.
Paid political science programs often include opportunities such as:
- Working in a government or nonprofit office
- Supporting research or constituent services
- Attending policy briefings or leadership workshops
- Participating in youth advisory boards
- Drafting memos, proposals, or outreach materials
The most valuable programs go beyond classroom discussions and give you a behind-the-scenes look at how decisions are made and implemented in the real world.
Why Should You Choose a Paid Program?
Paid programs offer both practical advantages and meaningful career benefits.
First, compensation makes these opportunities more accessible. Many government and policy internships are unpaid, which can limit participation. A paid program allows you to gain experience while also earning income.
Second, paid positions often come with clear expectations and structured responsibilities. When you’re hired and compensated, you’re typically treated as part of the team. That means you’re more likely to handle substantive tasks rather than simply observing.
Finally, paid internships can strengthen your college applications. Being selected and compensated by a city office, nonprofit, or federal agency signals your responsibility and competence. Admissions officers recognize the difference between casual involvement and formal employment.
If you’re serious about political science, public policy, or law, a paid program adds both credibility and real-world depth to your profile. Here is a list of 15 Paid Political Science Programs for High School Students:
1. Internships – Foreign Policy Research Institute
Location: Remote and in-person (Philadelphia, PA)
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid; limited stipends available based on financial need (part-time summer stipends available)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified; selection process described as highly competitive
Program Dates: February – April (Spring); June – August (Summer); October – December (Fall)
Application Deadline: March (Summer); November (Spring, typically); July (Fall, typically)
Eligibility: High school students authorized to work in the US; no citizenship requirement, but visa sponsorship is not provided
Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI) internships give high school students an opportunity to work directly with a scholar or staff member at a nonpartisan foreign policy think tank, contributing to real research, communications, or operational projects. Depending on the role you choose, you might assist with research on topics such as Eurasia or national security, help manage events, support communications and social media or work on administrative projects that keep the organization running. Each intern is paired with a professional mentor, so you’re not just observing; you’re actively contributing to ongoing work and gaining insights into how a policy organization functions on a day-to-day basis. Summer interns also attend weekly foreign policy and career seminars featuring guest speakers, and all interns have access to FPRI’s in-person and virtual events. You may also write a research paper that can be considered for publication on the Intern Corner. If you’re serious about international relations and want experience inside a policy-focused organization, this program gives you valuable exposure to how research and analysis moves from ideas to publication.
2. U.S. Senate Page Program – United States Senate
Location: Washington, DC
Cost/Stipend: No cost; pages are paid at an annual rate of $35,360 (prorated and paid monthly for the duration of service)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 30 pages total per session across 100 senators
Program Dates: January 25 – June 5 (Spring); June 7 – 26 (Summer Session I); July 12 – August 7 (Summer Session II); September – January (Fall, dates TBD)
Application Deadline: Rolling; varies by senator’s office
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents with a Social Security number; 16 or 17 years old on or before appointment; juniors (Spring/Fall) or rising juniors and rising seniors (Summer); minimum 3.0 GPA; general health assessment and immunization record required; must have health insurance
As a Senate Page, you’ll spend your days inside the Capitol helping keep the Senate running. Your responsibilities include delivering legislative materials across office buildings, preparing the Senate chamber for sessions, and assisting on the Senate floor during debates and roll call votes. Rather than watching from the sidelines, you’ll be present during live legislative proceedings and support senators and staff in managing the day-to-day work of the chamber in real time. Pages are sponsored by individual senators and live in Washington DC, during their term, with housing arrangements coordinated through the program. You’ll also attend the Senate Page School while serving, where you’ll continue with your academic coursework alongside your work schedule.
3. Pathways Internship Programs – United States Department of State
Location: Varies by posting (domestic and international placements available)
Cost/Stipend: Paid; compensation varies by position and General Schedule (GS) grade
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: Varies by role; IEP typically lasts the duration of your academic program, ITEP runs during breaks or up to one year
Application Deadline: Varies by vacancy announcement
Eligibility: U.S. citizen; at least 16 years old by closing date; minimum 2.0 GPA; must maintain student status; subject to security clearance and drug testing requirements
The Pathways Internship Programs give high school students an opportunity to work in federal offices connected to foreign affairs, public policy, and national security. Internship positions are posted individually on USAJOBS, and the placements can range from Department of State offices to other federal agencies depending on the listing. You are hired as a federal employee and paid according to the General Schedule pay scale. Your compensation and responsibilities are tied to your education level. Depending on your academic standing, you may qualify for different GS grades, ranging from high school through graduate study.
The program offers two internship tracks: the Internship Experience Program (IEP) and the Internship Temporary Employment Program (ITEP). IEP positions may allow interns to qualify for non-competitive conversion to a permanent federal role after graduation, while ITEP roles are temporary and generally capped at one year or your projected graduation date. Interns appointed for 90 days or longer can earn annual and sick leave, and some may also qualify for federal health benefits depending on the number of hours worked. Because each posting is different, details such as location, pay, and timeline depend entirely on the specific vacancy announcement. If you’re considering a long-term career in government, this program gives you early exposure to how federal agencies operate and what civil service work actually looks like day to day.
Note: All internships in this program are posted on USAJobs.gov. Details such as the application deadline and internship dates will vary by role and be available on each specific posting. Check the current vacancies here for the most up-to-date information.
4. Legislative Internship Program – Washington State Legislature
Location: Olympia, WA
Cost/Stipend: $2,400/month (subject to state funding)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Approximately 70 interns each session
Program Dates: January 6 – March 12 (even-numbered years, 60-day session); January – April (odd-numbered years, 105-day session)
Application Deadline: Fall (applications for 2026 are closed)
Eligibility: Undergraduate juniors or seniors in good academic standing; must receive academic credit; must be eligible to work in the U.S. to be paid
The Legislative Internship Program allows high school students to have an inside view of the legislative process in action. Each January, about 70 undergraduates move to Olympia to work full-time as nonpartisan legislative staff during the state’s legislation session. As an intern, you’ll be placed in either the House or Senate, typically supporting two to four legislators. Your responsibilities can include researching bills, attending committee meetings, responding to constituents, tracking legislation, and handling administrative tasks that keep a legislative office running. This is a 40-hour-per-week commitment, and you are treated as professional staff rather than as observers. Alongside office work, you’ll attend training and educational sessions that walk you through how state lawmaking actually works.
Interns must earn academic credit for the experience, and most schools require an additional paper or seminar component outside of work hours. You are responsible for arranging your own housing in Olympia, and the internship takes place during the legislative session rather than the summer. Because the program is nonpartisan and governed by strict ethics rules, you cannot participate in campaign work or lobbying while serving, even if you feel strongly about an issue.
5. Youth Council Internship – League of Women Voters of Maine
Location: Maine (statewide)
Cost/Stipend: $15/hour
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 3–4 high school interns per semester
Program Dates: Fall; Spring; Summer (varies by term)
Application Deadline: September 19 (Fall); January 16 (Spring); May 15 (Summer)
Eligibility: High school students in Maine; applicants 15 or younger must secure a state work permit before starting
This internship focuses on civic engagement, youth organizing, and voter education in Maine. As an intern, you’ll work about 5 hours per week and can shape your role based around your interests, whether it be hosting events, creating classroom-ready public service announcements, developing newsletters, or supporting outreach efforts. Interns are paid hourly and take on real projects that are shared across schools and communities, rather than completing simulated assignments.
Much of the work focuses on increasing voter engagement, explaining state policies, and encouraging informed participation in government. The organizations involved operate on a nonpartisan basis, and interns are expected to align with that approach while working on public-facing initiatives. Each internship cycle includes an interview process, and selected students work closely with staff members in a collaborative environment.
6. Mayor’s Office Internship Program – New York City Mayor’s Office
Location: New York, NY (various Mayor’s Office departments across the five boroughs)
Cost/Stipend: Paid; $17/hour (high school), $17.75/hour (undergraduate), $18/hour (graduate)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: June 1 – August 14 (College, Summer); July 6 – August 28 (High School, Summer); October – April (Fall/Spring)
Application Deadline: March 29 (Summer); varies for Fall/Spring
Eligibility: High school students (16+ with working papers), undergraduates, and graduate students; NYC residency required for Fall/Spring (not required for Summer); must be authorized to work in the U.S.
This program places high school students in a specific mayor’s office department to work on projects that support daily operations of city government. Depending on your assignment, your tasks could include conducting research, analyzing data, attending meetings, drafting briefings, assisting with outreach, or helping staff with public events. You apply directly to the department that is of interest to you and if selected, you stay with that team for the full term of the program. Alongside your daily work, you’ll attend a bi-weekly Speaker Series at City Hall, where senior officials discuss how different parts of the city government function.
Interns also collaborate on a service project through NYC Service, designing and carrying out an initiative that supports local communities. The program runs during the summer and the academic year, with different residency requirements depending on the term.
7. Judicial Intern Opportunity Program – American Bar Association (Litigation Section)
Location: California; Illinois; Texas; Phoenix, AZ; Washington, DC; Miami & Ft. Lauderdale, FL; New York, NY; Philadelphia, PA (including Delaware); Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: Paid program award (distributed at end of summer; amount not specified)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Limited placements; exact number not specified
Program Dates: May – August (minimum six-week commitment; internships typically begin early summer)
Application Deadline: January 9
Eligibility: Law students (1Ls and 2Ls); must submit required application materials and demonstrate commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the legal profession
The Judicial Intern Opportunity Program (JIOP) gives high school students an opportunity to work directly with a state or federal judge, assisting with legal research, and drafting memoranda, orders and opinions, depending on your placement. The internship runs full time for at least six weeks, and your exact schedule is coordinated by the judge you’re assigned to. Your day-to-day work involves substantive legal writing and analysis inside judicial chambers, an experience that’s rarely available through typical summer roles. You can indicate geographic and subject-matter preferences in your application, though you cannot request a specific court.
The selection process includes screening interviews, followed by interviews with judges. Final placements are typically completed by April. In addition to the courtroom experience, you’ll attend orientation programs and networking events in your host city, and may participate in mentoring circles with alumni. The program’s mission is to reduce bias and increase diversity in the legal profession, and applicants are required to submit a statement addressing that commitment. If you’re considering a future in litigation, clerkships, or a long-term legal career, JIOP offers early exposure to judicial decision-making and professional networks within the courts.
8. Mikva Summer Fellows – Mikva Challenge
Location: Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: $17/hour (through partnership with the Illinois Department of Human Services Youth Investment Program)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Approximately 50 fellows
Program Dates: Six weeks between June and August (30 hours per week)
Application Deadline: Not specified (2026 application available)
Eligibility: Youth in Cook County who have completed senior year of high school
The Mikva Summer Fellows places about 50 recent high school graduates in the offices of city, county, state, and federal officials across Chicago. As a fellow, you’ll work 30 hours per week for six weeks, supporting the daily operations of government offices while gaining firsthand experience in government service. In addition to government work, you’ll attend weekly workshops focused on leadership development and workplace readiness. This internship is paid through a partnership with the Illinois Department of Human Services Youth Investment Program, with fellows earning $17 per hour during the program. If you’re planning to study political science, public service, or law, this program gives you early exposure to how elected offices operate and what public sector work looks like day to day.
9. Academic Year Internships – Congressional District Offices (Rockville and Baltimore)
Location: Rockville, MD; Baltimore, MD
Cost/Stipend: Paid
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: January 5 – May 15 (Spring); September 1 – December 18 (Fall)
Application Deadline: October (Spring); June (Fall)
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors; must be able to work 20–24 hours per week (maximum 26)
These academic year internships are open to high school students in the district offices located in Rockville and Baltimore. As an intern, you’ll work part – time during the fall or spring semester, contributing to the daily operations of a congressional office. Your responsibilities typically include answering phones, helping with constituent correspondence, assisting with administrative projects, and supporting staff with research or event preparation. You’re expected to commit around 20–24 hours per week, making this a substantial responsibility alongside school.
Much of the work focuses on how members of Congress interact directly with their local communities. If you’re interested in government or public service, this internship gives you early insights into how federal representatives connect with local residents and manage outreach in their districts.
10. Anson L. Clark Scholars Program
Location: Lubbock, TX
Cost/Stipend: $750 stipend (program is fully funded)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 12 students; highly selective
Program Dates: June 21 – August 6
Application Deadline: February 24
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors and recent high school graduates who are at least 17 by the start date
The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program is a seven-week research experience where you work one-on-one with a faculty mentor at Texas Tech University. During the program, you’ll design and carry out your own research project in a field that aligns with your interests, which can range from STEM disciplines to the political and social sciences. With only 12 students selected each year, the program is extremely selective and built around close mentorship and independent work.
Beyond your individual project, you’ll attend seminars, discussions, and field trips that expose you to how academic research connects to real-world problems. You live on campus for the duration of the program, which means you’re fully immersed in both academic and residential life. At the end of the program, you’ll present your work through a final report or presentation that showcases the research you conducted during the summer.
11. United States Senate Youth Program
Location: Washington, DC
Cost/Stipend: All expenses paid; $10,000 undergraduate college scholarship
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 2 students per state (104 total nationwide including DC and DoDEA)
Program Dates: March 7 – 14
Application Deadline: December 1 (national deadline; state deadlines vary)
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors actively serving in high-level elected or appointed leadership positions
The United States Senate Youth Program is a one-week leadership experience in Washington, DC for high school students already holding significant leadership roles in their schools or communities. You must be actively serving in an elected or appointed leadership position to qualify for the program. During the Washington Week, you’ll get to hear policy addresses from the U.S. Senators, Cabinet members, and federal agency leaders, and typically meet senior officials such as the President or a Justice of the Supreme Court. Only two student delegates are selected from each state, making this a selective civic program for high school students.
All travel, lodging, and meals are covered by The Hearst Foundations. And each delegate receives a $10,000 college scholarship for undergraduate study. This is not a job or internship with hourly pay, but it is fully funded and includes a significant scholarship award.
12. Bank of America – Student Leaders® Program
Location: Local nonprofit placement (varies by region) + Washington, DC (Leadership Summit)
Cost/Stipend: Paid six-week internship (hourly pay not specified)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 300+ students nationwide
Program Dates: Six weeks during the summer (Leadership Summit included)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students (specific grade requirements vary by market; see regional eligibility details)
Bank of America’s Student Leaders® program places high school students in paid, six-week summer internships with nonprofit organizations in their communities. As an intern, you’ll work directly with a nonprofit, gaining hands-on experience in service, outreach, and organizational operations.
In addition to your local internship, you’ll attend a Leadership Summit in Washington, DC, where you participate in workshops, hear from leaders across sectors, and explore how public and private institutions address community challenges. The program places an emphasis on workforce readiness and civic engagement rather than partisan politics.
13. United States Senate – Senate Page Program
Location: Washington, DC
Cost/Stipend: Paid (annual rate of $35,360, prorated for session length)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 30 total pages per session across 100 Senators
Program Dates: June 8 – 26 (Summer Session I); July 13 – August 7 (Summer Session II)
Application Deadline: March 6
Eligibility: High school juniors (semester) or rising juniors and seniors (summer); must be 16 or 17 at appointment; minimum 3.0 GPA; U.S. citizen or permanent resident; must be sponsored by a Senator
The Senate Page Program gives high school students the opportunity to work directly inside the U.S. Capitol while continuing their academic studies. As a Page, you’ll assist with delivering legislative materials, preparing the Senate Chamber, and supporting senators and staff during live floor debates and roll call votes. One of the most unique aspects of the program is that pages are present on the Senate floor during active legislative proceedings. This gives you a firsthand look at how the legislative process unfolds in real time.
Pages must be sponsored by a senator, and each senator’s office sets its own application process. With only 30 total positions available at a time nationwide, the program is highly competitive.
14. Mayor’s Youth Commission – City of Chicago
Location: Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: Paid yearly stipend (amount not specified)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Up to 40 youth commissioners
Program Dates: Academic year (monthly meetings)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Chicago residents ages 14–19
The Mayor’s Youth Commission (MYC) is an official advisory body made up of up to 40 Chicago students who provide inputs directly to the Mayor and city leaders. As a commissioner, you’ll meet monthly to discuss issues affecting young people across Chicago and work in small groups focused on topics such as community safety, education, neighborhood development, and public health. Commissioners receive a yearly stipend for their participation, making this a compensated civic leadership role rather than a volunteer position. You, as a commissioner, will represent your peers and collaborate on policy recommendations and youth-centered initiatives, gaining firsthand experience in how local governments gather inputs and shape policies that affect their communities.
15. Mercer County Student Internship Program
Location: Mercer County, NJ
Cost/Stipend: $17/hour (25 hours/week)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: July 6 – August 28 (High School Session)
Application Deadline: March 27
Eligibility: High school students (specific grade requirements not specified); must apply to one department through county system
The Mercer County Student Internship Program gives high school students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience while still in school. As an intern, you’ll work up to 25 hours per week in a department of your choice, gaining focused experience in that particular area of public service.
The program follows a cohort model, so you’ll not only do departmental work but also participate in structured professional development activities with other interns. These sessions introduce you to careers in public service and local government operations.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, and chemistry, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. You can find the application link here!
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