Department of Political Science and International Relations
Undergraduate Research Opportunities
Research and Recognition Opportunities
Research and Recognition Opportunities
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POIR Summer Internship and Research Programs
Academic Recognition Programs (ARP)
Supports students’ efforts to make the most of their academic experiences at USC, and to seek further opportunities for study and research.
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Annual Undergraduate Symposium for Creative and Scholarly Work
Provides undergraduates with the unique opportunity to exhibit and share examples of their significant research and creativity with the university community.
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Blackstonians Pre-Law Honor Society
Recognizes academic excellence in undergraduate students and strives to expand their perceptions of the legal profession. Students have access to a variety of events, speakers, and resources that will enable them to focus on using law and the legal system for the moral improvement of society as a whole.
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Office of Academic & International Fellowships
USC encourages and supports all students who wish to apply for national and international fellowships. Prestigious scholarships such as the Rhodes, the Fulbright, Luce, Marshall and many others can support your research, allow you to study or intern abroad and give you a competitive edge in applying to graduate programs. Recently, The Chronicle of Higher Education once again recognized USC as one of the top 40 colleges in the U.S. to produce Fulbright Scholars, underscoring our prominence as a global institution.
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Pi Sigma Alpha
Established in 1927, USC also has one of the nation’s oldest chaptersof Pi Sigma Alpha, the national political science honors society. Open to junior and senior POSC and/or International Relations majors who have completed at least 3 upper division courses in their majors. A minimum 3.5 overall GPA and a 3.5 GPA in the major is also required. For more information or an application, please contact academic advisor Kiki Miller.
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Political Science Undergraduate Association (PSUA)
A collection of students that work closely with the Department of Political Science as a means of bridging the divide between student and department. Throughout the year, the PSUA organizes events that allow students to interact and socialize with faculty, administrators, and other departmental figures outside of the classroom.
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Political Student Assembly
A student-run organization that promotes and encourages awareness and activism regarding contemporary political issues, processes, and structures. We are a non-partisan organization concerned with promoting civic engagement, rather than a particular political view point.
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The Renaissance Scholars Program
Recognizes students who excel in two or more unrelated disciplines. Students educated in this way will be especially well prepared to confront the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century. All USC undergraduates are encouraged to pursue this honor.
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SOAR with Dornsife
Provides funding to undergraduates for participation as a research assistant in a faculty member’s project. SOAR allows all students to be mentored one-on-one by USC faculty, and introduces students early in their academic careers to the process of serious scholarly inquiry. SOAR is for research during the fall and spring semesters of the academic year.
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SURF at USC
An opportunity for USC Dornsife students to pursue undergraduate research, in collaboration with Dornsife faculty, either on or off campus during the summer semester. Students are encouraged to conduct on-site research at USC or under the direction of USC Dornsife faculty at many institutions across the nation and around the globe. Any student in good standing, with at least one USC Dornsife major, may apply for a research stipend of up to $3,000 to support a summer research project of their choosing.
More about Research Funding
Washington, D.C. Semester Program
In conjunction with USC’s Sol Price School of Public Policy and George Washington University, students are able to complete a full semester internship in Washington, D.C. with an emphasis in applied politics. Students may earn 8 upper-division elective units toward the major and 8 general-elective units. Spring semester only.
More About D.C. Semester