Austin Legislative Internship

The legislative internships in Austin will be available in the spring of 2023 when the Texas Legislature convenes again.

Working in Austin

The legislative internship program is offered during the spring semester of every odd-numbered year. Interns will live and work full-time in Austin for the duration of the legislative session they are selected for, typically six months, from January to June. The internships are unpaid, but scholarships are provided.

Before leaving for Austin, interns attend orientation sessions to help prepare them for the experience and familiarize them with the guidelines and responsibilities expected of interns. They will also attend socials to get to know their fellow interns and the President's Office Staff.

Housing in Austin

For interns working in Austin, housing will be coordinated so that Texas Tech interns can live together.

Academic Credit

Each intern will receive academic credit for their internship. The number of hours awarded may vary based on their internship activities and length of time performing the internship. Undergraduates will be enrolled in POLS 4000 – a political science practicum class. If interested, non-political science majors may apply the POLS 4000 class to the completion of a political science minor. For political science majors, the POLS 4000 class may apply to a student's major coursework. Graduate students will be enrolled in IS 5000 that is also a political science practicum. Interns participating in this program are considered full-time students.

Political Science Undergraduate Minor

Through the internship program, students can complete a substantial portion of the political science minor. Undergraduate interns who are not already majoring in political science can earn up to nine hours of political science credit while working in Austin.

With the completion of the internship and in addition to the six hours of political science core curriculum required of all undergraduates, students may choose between a Texas Tech University International Politics or Comparative Politics class to complete the minor.

Scholarship

In previous legislative sessions, The Beaumont Foundation provided a $7,000 scholarship to Texas Tech University students. The scholarships are used to help defray the costs of living associated with the internship.

Interns are responsible for their tuition (students receive an off-campus waiver for most fees), housing, travel to and from Austin, and entertainment.

 

To apply for the internship, click here.