“The Bliss Institute internship
program provides students
with practical experience
through the development of
specialized and career-related
skills. The program has
opened up a myriad of
opportunities in the field of
political science by placing
me in the heart of Ohio
politics. Daily, I was
contributing to the advancement and growth of the
state political process—an experience I recommend
highly and one that I will cherish throughout my
professional career.”
— Greg Bennett
“My internship in Columbus has provided me with
innumerable experiences and opportunities that you
can almost never get in the classroom. The Bliss
Institute is one of the most respected applied
politics institutions in the state and because of that,
I have been afforded insights that most other interns
would only dream of. Because of my internship, I
have figured out my career path and I have also
networked and made the contacts needed to secure
a job in the 21st century job market.”
— Ryan Thompson
“In 2009 the Bliss Institute provided me with an
extremely rewarding internship experience at the
Ohio House of Representatives. During my
internship I made valuable connections as well as
lifelong friends. Upon graduation, nearly two years
later, I was fortunate enough to immediately land a
full-time job at the Ohio House as a Legislative Aide.
I recently have taken a leave of absence from my job
in Columbus to be the Campaign Manager for
Representative Kristina Daley Roegner. The Bliss
Institute prepared me with the skills and tools I
need to be successful in both the Statehouse and on
the campaign trail. I cannot express enough thanks
to the Bliss Institute and its extraordinary staff for
helping me build a strong foundation for my career.”
— Alyssa Sarko
The Bliss Institute of Applied Politics
The Ray C. Bliss Institute of Applied Politics is a
bipartisan research and teaching institute dedicated
to increasing understanding of the political process
with special emphasis on political parties, grassroots
activity and ethical behavior. Through the institute,
students can pursue a Master of Applied Politics or
Certificate in Applied Politics as well as internships
in practical politics.
Established in 1986, the institute has a distinguished
list of graduates who hold important positions at all
levels of politics and government. In addition, the
institute sponsors public programs, conferences and
research on topics such as campaign finance,
campaign advertising and political organizations.
The Department of Political Science
The Department of Political Science provides
excellent training in analysis of American politics,
international relations and comparative politics.
The department offers a Master of Arts in Political
Science, Master of Applied Politics and three
undergraduate degrees. The faculty have a
distinguished teaching and research record.
The University of Akron
The University of Akron is the public research
university for northern Ohio. Founded in 1870,
The University of Akron serves 24,358 students,
offering more than 350 associate, bachelor’s,
master’s, doctoral and law degree programs and
approximately 100 certificate programs at its main
campus in Akron, its Wayne College branch campus
in Orrville, and in sites throughout Medina and
Summit counties. For more information about The
University of Akron, visit www.uakron.edu. For
more information about The University’s Career
Advantage Network, contact the Center for Career
Management at 330-972-7747.
The University of Akron is an Equal Education and Employment Institution
© 2012 by The University of Akron / AS-0412-32544
Certificate
Program in
Applied Politics
An undergraduate or
graduate program for
students interested in
campaign management,
political party leadership,
lobbying and other
political professions
Certificate in
Applied Politics
Citizen participation in politics is the backbone
of democracy. The men and women who run
political campaigns, contact public officials and
debate issues while holding jobs and raising
families are critical to the future of the country.
The Bliss Institute encourages such grassroots
citizenship with the Certificate in Applied Politics.
Open to graduate and undergraduate students
majoring in ANY discipline at The University of
Akron, the Certificate in Applied Politics is
designed to give students the basic skills to be
effective
citizens.
Similar to a minor, students must complete
18 credits consisting of a set of core courses,
applied politics electives and an internship. With
the assistance of the institute staff, students design
their coursework and internship to blend with their
career interests and academic major.
For more than a decade, the Bliss Institute and
the Department of Political Science have been
providing students with education in practical politics.
Graduates of the applied politics program have
secured positions in all areas of government and
politics. They are found in posts in both political
parties, legislative offices and consulting firms, as
well as national, state and local election campaigns.
Certificate Requirements
Admission
Persons are eligible for admission to the Certificate in
Applied Politics if they have been admitted to study as special,
non-degree, or full-time students in any department of the University.
Students who are pursuing a graduate degree program in other
departments at the University may be admitted to the master’s
level certificate program upon the recommendation of the head of
the department in which they are enrolled. Students shall seek
admission to this program by filing an application with the Bliss
Institute. Courses are scheduled with the assistance of an adviser.
Core Courses
3700:395/695
3700:470/570
3700:471/571
3700:672
Internship
Campaign Management I
Campaign Management II
Political Influence and Organizations (Graduate Certificate)
Electives
In addition to the core courses, undergraduate students must
complete nine elective credits; six elective credits for graduate studies.
Three credits must be from:
3700:402/502
Politics and the Media
3700:440/540
Survey Research Methods
3700:472/572
Campaign Finance
3700:473/573
Voter Contact and Elections
3700:474/574
Political Opinion, Behavior and
Electoral Politics
3700:475/575
American Interest Groups
3700:476/576
American Political Parties
3700:477/577
Lobbying
7600:475/575
Political Communication
3700:655
Campaign and Election Law (Graduate)
Additional credits from above or from approved courses in political
science, communication, public administration, or other departments.
Internship Requirement
A key part of the Bliss Institute is our nationally
recognized internship program. This program affords
students the opportunity to experience politics firsthand and
to apply what they have learned in the classroom to the real
world of politics. Student interns make valuable networking
contacts that assist them in the remainder of their formal
education and their chosen careers. The Bliss Institute
Internship Program is part of the institute’s academic
programs (Master of Applied Politics and Certificate in
Applied Politics) and the University’s Career Advantage
Network (which guarantees experiential learning
opportunities for every student prior to graduation).
The internship program is designed around our students.
They are placed in the area of applied politics of greatest
interest to them. Students have the option to take their
internships in northeast Ohio while taking classes. Others
may go to Columbus, Washington D.C., or elsewhere to get
a full-time experience. Many students do both, taking a
local internship in the middle of their degree program and
taking an out-of-area internship as the highlight of their
degree preparation.
Examples of where Bliss interns have been placed include
national, state and county political party headquarters;
congressional offices; campaigns; the offices of campaign
consultants, media consultants, interest groups and
elected public officials; the Ohio General Assembly; and
federal agencies.
Stop by and see us today to plan your future internships.
Students must maintain at least a B (3.0) average in the
certificate coursework.
Certificate
Political science majors at both the undergraduate and
graduate level will, upon completion of the program, be awarded
a B.A., B.S., or M.A. degree in political science with a Certificate
in Applied Politics. Majors in other disciplines will have the
Certificate in Applied Politics. Majors in other disciplines will
have the certificate noted on their transcript.
For more information, contact:
Ray C. Bliss Institute
of Applied Politics
The University of Akron
Akron, OH 44325-1914
Phone: 330-972-5182
Fax: 330-972-5479
E-mail: [email protected]
www.uakron.edu/bliss