United States Department of State Internship: Complete Guide

The Department of State seeks to provide student interns with opportunities that are both educational and substantive in nature. 

United States Department of State Internship

The program’s goal is to give students an understanding of the work of US foreign policy and administration. 

State Department and its diplomatic facilities around the world Specific duties and responsibilities differ depending on whether you are assigned to a domestic office or an overseas post. 

Interns may, in general, participate in meetings with senior-level U.S. Government or foreign government officials; draft, edit, or contribute to cables, reports, communications, talking points, or other materials used by policymakers to advance US foreign policy objectives; support events, including international and/or regional events;

Requirements

Learn more about detailed prerequisites for the internship

• At the time of application, you must be a US citizen.
• You must be at least 18 years old.
• Have a 3.2 GPA or higher and be in good academic standing.
• You must be pursuing a baccalaureate or graduate degree and will return to your academic program once your internship is completed.
• You must be a college junior, senior, or graduate student with at least 60 credit hours earned at the time of application—you are considered a college junior if you will begin your junior year immediately after completing your internship.
• At the time of application for the internship, you must be enrolled in an accredited academic institution on at least a part-time basis. Even if the individual has a break in classes, the individual may qualify as a “student” as long as the break is no longer than five months when the individual begins the internship.
• Be able to work full-time during the 10-week internship, either in Washington D.C. or remotely. or your overseas posting.
• Possessing a U.S. passport is required for internships abroad. At the time of application, you must have a passport and be able to travel abroad.
• Applicants must be pursuing a baccalaureate or graduate degree at least part-time and have a GPA of 3.2 or higher. 
• College juniors, seniors, and graduate students who have completed at least 60 credit hours by the time the internship begins are encouraged to apply.
• Applicants must also be current students with the expectation and intention of returning to their course of study the semester/quarter following the internship completion – i.e., returning to school in the Fall of 2023. Evidence may be required.

If your academic plans change after you apply and you are no longer a continuing student or have a five-month break in classes before your internship begins, you will no longer be eligible for the internship.

CSN Team