GO beyond the classroom. Create a better california.

Students from all UC campuses may enroll in the Policy Program. It is offered every quarter and in the summer. Internship placements are tailored to students' background, experience, and career goals.

By enrolling in the UC Center Sacramento, you have the opportunity to gain first-hand knowledge of California's public policy challenges and processes. The program includes coursework (14 quarter units) as well as professional experience while living, interning, and attending classes in Sacramento. Program Outline:

1. COURSEWORK & INTERNSHIP

Quarter Students

(A) Political Science 192: Political Science Internship (10 units). This course combines research with professional experience. Work as an intern for about 24 hours per week by supporting the policy making process in a legislator's office, an executive branch agency, or another setting in the Sacramento policy community. Student must complete a public policy research paper as part of this course. This course it taken P/NP.

See examples of past internship placements for internship ideas.

(B) Political Science 195: The California Policy Seminar (4 units) This course teaches students about the state's political processes, institutions, and policy challenges. The seminar is taught by members of the UC Davis faculty and features guest lectures given by a variety participants in and observers of California politics and government.

(C) Additional Courses. Students are permitted to enroll in additional courses offered at UC Davis, so long as they meet course requirements. This option is not encouraged, as students are typically very busy between their internships and courses at the center alone. If you would like another upper division political science graded course, see the Political Science 196A option discussed below.

Semester Students:

Through our semester program, students take the same core courses required of the quarter students (see above). In order for semester students to achieve a semester's worth of units, we offer the following add-on courses:

(A) Political Science 196A (4 units): This is an independent study course in political science. Students work with an instructor on a political science research paper. Can be taken for a grade or P/NP.

(B) Political Science 193 (2 units): Supervised preparation of an extensive paper relating internship experience to concepts, literature, and theory of political science.

(C) Additional Courses. Students are permitted to enroll in additional courses offered at UC Davis, so long as they meet course requirements. This option is not encouraged, as students are typically very busy between their internships and courses at the center alone.

Altogether, semester students typically earn 20 quarter units, which translates to just over 13 semester units. The semester program begins in late August so students can get a jump start on their research proposals and internship hours. Once the quarter officially begins, the semester students attend class with the quarter students.

The semester program is offered in the fall and spring only. The summer program serves both semester and quarter students.

2.  program dates

*Please note that end dates are flexible. Finals will be administered in advance, so if a student has reached his/her internship hours requirement, that student may move out on the date of his/her choice. This accommodates students from semester schools who wish to participate in the summer programs but must be back before the start of the semester.

(B) A WEEK IN THE LIFE: Visit this page for a breakdown of what life is like as a student in the UC Center's Policy Program.

3. HOUSING INFORMATION

The general options are:

(A) Live with other students from the program. Contact Hanna Snider at hsnider@ucdavis.edu to set this up if this is your preferred method.

(B) Self-provided housing.

For detailed housing info, go here.

4. PROGRAM COSTS

(A) 2011-2012 Cost Estimates

(B) Financial Aid: Financial aid is available to students who qualify for aid at their home institutions. Your aid amount will depend on a number of factors; contact your campus representative with questions.

5. apply

(A) Check requirements

• Junior or senior standing preferred
• 3.0 GPA or above preferred

(B) Go to our application section for details and deadlines.