IRGA Practicum
![Work In The World

There are three ways to fulfill the IRGA Practicum requirement. All three ways require completion of a course of study taken for academic credit recognized by the registrar:
A Practicum is usually an internship in an institution engaged in international affairs performed in conjunction with an on-campus academic component that comprises 50% of the course grade.
Students wishing to pursue this option should explore the information on this web site and then consult with Prof. Donna Oglesby during office hours or on-line. She is the faculty sponsor of all IRGA Practicum internships which are fulfilled while enrolled in her course IR353 “IRGA Practicum. IR353 requires Prof. Oglesby’s signature for admission and can be offered in any semester.
The Practicum requirement can also be met by going on specified winter term and spring into summer study abroad courses led by IRGA/Political Science faculty. Prof. Brunello’s UN winter term and Prof. Felice’s spring into summer courses to Geneva, or the Hague ["The Hague and International Law" (IR341)] are examples of specified study abroad courses that would meet the IRGA requirement. Most often, service-learning trips abroad do not meet the IRGA practicum requirement. Please consult with Prof. Oglesby in advance of participation in such trips if you wish to have them considered them as fulfillment of the requirement.
Finally, students may meet the requirement by semester study abroad programs recognized for credit by the International Education Office and the registrar. ISEP, CIEE and other organized semester abroad programs as well as the Eckerd Semester in Asia program are examples of those we have counted in the past. Students have studied in Austria, Spain, The Netherlands, Germany, Hong Kong, China, Thailand and France. The Eckerd London program – while excellent - does not fulfill the IRGA Practicum requirement. It is possible, however, to schedule an internship while in London. The available parliamentary internship is a perfect example of an IRGA practicum.
Students wishing further information or having specific questions should e-mail Prof. Oglesby at oglesbdm@eckerd.edu or visit her in Miller 104 B during her office hours during the spring semester when she is resident on campus.](Welcome_files/shapeimage_4.png)
The IRGA Practicum is required of all IRGA majors before graduation. The Practicum is usually an internship in an institution engaged in international affairs. By providing some "real world" experience in your chosen field, it can be a significant first step to your future career. At a minimum, it should enhance your resume, give you a better sense of what kind of work environment you do (or do not) like and encourage personal growth.
