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High School Internship Program (HSIP)

Explore public service careers while earning college credit and building professional development skills for your future.

After 25 years of excellence, the Glenn College to pivoting to a new program for students with a passion for public service.  We will update this page in the summer of 2025 with a new name and details. 

Program Highlights:

High school seniors spend a semester interning in a public sector organization (approximately 8-10 hours per week) while earning six college credits through the Ohio State University Academy. 

Hands-on experience is paired with complementary coursework:

  • In Public Affairs 4191.01, students have coursework to guide their professional growth and a one on one coaching session with a career advisor.
  • In Public Affairs 2110: Introduction to Public Affairs, students complete coursework that provides understanding of the process by which U.S. public policy is developed and implemented to solve real world public challenges. Additionally, coursework reviews techniques for providing rational advice to public-sector decision-makers, methods for evaluating the impact of public policies on societal outcomes, and strategies for managing public and nonprofit organizations. Some qualifying students might opt to take Public Affairs 2120 as an alternate. 

When the program relaunches in the future, the new John Glenn Program applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

  • Senior standing in an Ohio public or non-public high school
  • Maturity and professionalism required to complete a college-level internship and coursework
  • Admitted in The Ohio State University Academy (CCP).
  • Enrollment in or completion of Public Affairs 2110 or 2120

**In order to participate students must be admitted to the Ohio State Academy prior to applying.** 

To be considered for the future program, you must be enrolled in Ohio State Academy Program (Ohio State CCP). 

First: complete the academy application

Next: Fill out an application to the new program. 

You will need to provide:

  • A resume (one page) that outlines your prior work, volunteer, extracurricular experience and other relevant information and accomplishments

Deadlines:

  •   TBD - we hope to update this page in the summer of 2025.

Any questions during this transition can be emailed to glenn-hsip@osu.edu.

Sample of Past Internship Placements

  • Ohio House of Representatives
  • Ohio Animal Advocates

     

(We hope to launch our new program summer of 2025) 

Frequently Asked Questions

TBD 

Where can I find the Ohio State Academy (CCP) Program application?  All information regarding the Ohio State Academy Program application can be found on the Ohio State Academy website

I don’t live near Columbus but am an Ohio high school student. Can I still apply for the program?  You may discuss your specific circumstances with the program coordinator

I am interested but am not a senior in high school. Can I apply?  . Interested juniors are encouraged enroll in the Ohio State Academy Program 

Do I have to have taken the ACT/SAT to be considered for admission to the Ohio State Academy or to HSIP?  You do not have to have taken either standardized test to participate in the program at this time. 

Do I have to be admitted to the Ohio State Academy before I apply to HSIP?  Yes, please note to participate in the new Glenn program you must be admitted to the OSU academy. 

Will applying to  the new Glenn Program help my Ohio State Academy application? No. The application for the Ohio State Academy is a separate process, our program one offering among many great offering the Ohio State Academy offers.  

What happens if I am not admitted to the academy? Can I still participate in the new program. Unfortunately it is not possible to participate in our program if you are not admitted to the Ohio State Academy.  If that occurs, however, we encourage you to also consider participating in John Glenn College of Public Affairs Democracy Camp

Are the classes and internships in-person or remote?  The classes and internships that are associated with the program are primarily held in-person. 

What is the time commitment for the program?  This program would involve both internship and coursework averaging 15 to 20 hours each week during the semester.

Do I have to take Public Affairs 2110 the same semester as my internship? Students benefit from taking 2110 or 2120 the semester before participating in a new program.

What do the classes associated with the HSIP program entail?  Public Affairs 4191.01 is the course that the internship would be associated with, and provides professional development skills, while Public Affairs 2110 or 2120 provides an academic introduction to public affairs.

Are there any costs associated with the program? Incidental costs associated with the internship program may include daily travel to and from the internship site or campus. 

What are the hours for the internship? The exact hours vary from site to site; however, all internships occur during business hours (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and will be between eight to 10 total hours per week. 

Where will the internship sites be located? The location of the internship will vary depending on the site, but will be located in and around Franklin County. 

Will my internship be in-person, remote or hybrid? This will again depend on the site; however, a majority of internships will be in-person. 

I am only interested in a specific organization or type of internship. Am I guaranteed to get that internship? No. All participants in HSIP are guaranteed an internship that gives them exposure to public affairs, but are not guaranteed a specific opportunity. 

Can I secure my own internship? If admitted into the Ohio State Academy Program and HSIP, you are welcome to secure your own internship pending prior approval by the program coordinator. Please note that you are not required to secure your own independent internship. Additionally, already having an internship will not impact consideration for your HSIP application. 

Could your public sector organization use an intern?

Host a High School student with the Glenn College. 

Internship sites that can provide a supervisor, meaningful and educational job duties, and performance evaluations will be considered.