Undergraduate Associates Program

About the Undergraduate Associates Program

Building knowledge, skills, and networks for political, government, and community engagement.

Applications for the 2026-2027 cohort are now available. The deadline to apply is October 24, 2025.

The Eagleton Undergraduate Associates Program, established in 1974, is a signature education program of the Eagleton Institute of Politics in partnership with the Rutgers Democracy Lab. This 1.5-year interdisciplinary certificate program is open to juniors from all Rutgers schools, departments, and campus locations who are interested in American politics, government, policy, and advocacy.

Associates link the study of politics and power to its real-world application, while building knowledge, skills, and networks for political, community, government, and social change during their last three semesters of undergraduate study at Rutgers.

The Rutgers Democracy Lab provides generous support for the Undergraduate Associates program.

WHY SHOULD I APPLY?

• Receive a $3,000 stipend courtesy of the Rutgers Democracy Lab.
• Engage in small seminars with diverse political and policy concepts, speakers, and classmates.
• Develop leadership and professional skills to promote political and community change.
• Earn 9 credits.
• Gain experience through broad public service internship opportunities.
• Learn from guest speakers and faculty with real-world expertise in politics, government, and advocacy.
• Expand your network through events and connections with more than 2,100 alumni and other political practitioners.
• Internship, job placement and career counseling assistance are available.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?

3 COURSES: Associates earn 9-credits through a unique series of 3-courses (one course each semester for spring junior year, fall and spring of senior year). Courses are held in person at the Eagleton Institute of Politics. Learn more about the courses here.

PUBLIC SERVICE INTERNSHIPS: Associates complete valuable public service internships during the spring semester of senior year with a wide variety of placement options including all levels of government, public affairs, policy, advocacy and non-profit groups, political campaigns, lobbying firms, think tanks, and other interest groups to name a few.

PROGRAM SESSIONS: Associates participate in program sessions to build skills and networks including a behind the scenes experiential education trip to the New Jersey State House in Trenton.

STIPEND: Associates receive a $3,000 stipend award from the Rutgers Democracy Lab.

MENTORS: Associates are paired 1:1 with a mentor from Eagleton Visiting Associates group, who are public service professionals. Other mentorship opportunities are also available.

CONNECTIONS AND NETWORKS: Associates are connected to faculty, staff, graduate students, guest speakers, and session leaders who expand professional networks. The class of 2027 is the 53^rd cohort of cohort Eagleton Undergraduate Associates. There are more than 1,200 alumni of the program across Rutgers University who remain engaged, as well as 1,300 Eagleton alumni from the Eagleton Graduate Fellowship program. Most have chosen careers in public service, while others have applied their advanced knowledge of government, politics and policy to a broad range of careers in the private, corporate and non-profit sectors.

TRANSCRIPT NOTATION: Students who complete the program will receive a certificate and official notation on their Rutgers transcript.

WHAT WILL I LEARN?

Associates earn nine credits through a unique three-course series, an internship, and program sessions where they learn to:

• understand power dynamics, decision making processes, policies, and structure of American political and government systems
• demonstrate knowledge of how to positively impact government, politics and communities to improve American democracy
• cultivate positive behaviors and attitudes towards democratic values and good governance
• develop core personal, professional and advocacy skills necessary to be engaged citizens and adaptable public service leaders who address pressing social needs
• explore the role diversity in identity, beliefs, and political perspectives play in democratic discourse

“A few years ago, I didn’t know that a hijab wearing woman could be in the political field. I had no role model to follow. I felt invisible and unheard. So having a group of individuals ready to listen, but also encouraging me to speak, is something that I never experienced before and will value forever.”

Yasmine Hafez, UA Alum

“The best thing about Eagleton was being able to be freely interested in politics and be intellectually challenged by your peers in a friendly way. The discussion and variety of perspectives, it is so rare to be around people you have a like interest with low stakes.”

Oluwatobi Omotoso,UA Alum

“Learning how to navigate the ambiguity of politics has been incredibly eye-opening. Government is not as dichotomized as I previously thought. There are policies and decisions that I would agree with on both sides of the aisle. More than anything, the Undergraduate Associates program has taught me my role in American politics. After experimenting with and learning about many different industries involving politics, I have finally discovered what I am most interested in: constitutional rights, media, and civic engagement.”

Caleb Kuberiet, UA Alum

WHO CAN APPLY?

• Rutgers juniors (60 – 89 credits) from any Rutgers school, department and campus location, graduating in May or December of 2027
• Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
• Interest in American politics, policy, government, and/or advocacy
• Available to attend in person classes in New Brunswick for spring junior year, fall and spring of senior year

Have a question? Check FAQ

If you have additional questions, please contact Sarah Kozak at undergrad@eagleton.rutgers.edu.

How to Apply

How to Apply

Application packets must include:

• Submit online application form (attach resume, 2 brief essays, and unofficial transcript as .pdf)
• Two letters of recommendation (emailed directly to undergrad@eagleton.rutgers.edu from the recommender).
• Eagleton must receive ALL components of your application packet (including letters of recommendation) by 5:00 pm on OCTOBER 24. At that point, incomplete packets will be sent to the selection committee “as is”.

Please Note

1. Apply early. Letters of recommendation will not be confirmed with applicants until application form is submitted.
2. You will not receive a confirmation email when you submit your application. The status of your application packet will be sent to you by email from undergrad@eagleton.rutgers.edu when your application is processed, including recommendation letter status.

Alumni

“The best aspect of the Associates program was the internship placement. It was great to enter an internship as a representative of the Associates program and … be able to network with other Eagleton alumni in the Governor’s Office.”
–Eagleton Undergraduate Associate Alum

There are currently more than 1,100 alumni of the Eagleton Undergraduate Associates program. Some have chosen careers in law, politics, advocacy, and public affairs, while others have applied their advanced knowledge of government and politics to a broad range of careers in the private and non‐profit sectors.

Current Undergraduate Associates

Class of 2026 Eagleton Undergraduate Associates

• Cohort list
• Associate bios