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Information about the Utah State Legislature

The Political Science Department is pleased to announce the Utah State Legislature Internship Program for the Winter Semester. A limited number of students will have the opportunity to gain valuable experience as they participate in the legislative process.

Who Should Apply?

The Utah State Legislature Internship is an excellent experience for students interested in the legislative and policy process. Interns work as personal assistants to legislators in researching legislation, attending committee hearings, meeting with constituents and lobbyists, and observing first-hand the process through which laws are made.

This excellent program is open to undergraduate or graduate students of any major who have an interest in the legislative process. Students who are residents of states other than Utah or non-U.S. citizens are also encouraged to apply. To qualify, an applicant must be a junior, senior or graduate student, have the ability to express himself or herself clearly, both orally and in writing, including the ability to digest, condense, and prepare forms and reports; have a general understanding of the legislative process; be a self-starter and be capable of working with little or no supervision; and have good interpersonal skills. Advanced sophomores with previous employment, military, or mission experience may be considered. All candidates must be in good academic and honors code standing with BYU.

Eligibility

Applicants must be juniors or seniors with a minimum 2.7 G.P.A. In exceptional cases, sophomores with previous employment, military, or mission experience may be considered. Because interns will be employees of the Utah Legislature during the winter semester, all applicants will have to successfully complete the I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification Form from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Students can receive 12 upper-division political science credits for the internship and the seminars.

Political Science Credit

Twelve upper-division credits are available for those participating on the program. Students will receive six hours of PLSC 399R (which may be counted as elective credit for a Political Science major or minor). Additionally, students may enroll in two, three credit, upper-division political science seminars to be held at the conclusion of the internship (both of which can count as electives toward a Political Science major or minor). These seminars will be related to the participants' experience with the legislature. Graduate credit and directed individual study credit can also be arranged with departmental approval.

Second block fall semester participating students enroll in a one-credit orientation class taught Wednesdays and Thursdays from 5:00 to7:00 p.m. Accommodations can be made for students who have class or work conflicts. Registration for the course is with department approval only. See the Washington Seminar Assistant for details.

Financial Assistance

The legislature provides a stipend of $2400 for participating students.

Important Application Information

The following must be included as part of your application.

1. Online Application
2. One-page statement of intent. Typed 250 to 350 word statement detailing your reasons for wanting to intern at the Utah State Legislature, what work assignments in the internship would interest you, and your abilities and character traits that will make you an asset as a legislative intern. This must include a statement indicating that you will be available to work full-time, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday at the State Capitol during the legislative session (first block Winter Semester). Students who cannot commit to this schedule will not be interviewed nor accepted to the program.
3. Typed professional résumé no longer than one page. Should include description of work experience (including mission), computer skills (including software with which you are familiar), research tools (i.e. statistics) you can use, volunteer activities (only those relevant to the internship), and campaign or political experience/activities (if any). See the Washington Seminar secretary or University Placement Office for suggestions on résumé preparation.
4. Official transcripts from all universities attended. Cannot be a college advisement center print-out (ABC Report). BYU transcripts may be obtained from the University Records Office.
5. Two confidential letters of recommendation. One letter must be from a university faculty member who can evaluate your academic skills; the other may be from an employer or a second faculty member. No letters will be accepted from members of your family. You are not required to waive your right of access to the letters of recommendation. However, most faculty and other individuals will not write them unless you do waive this right.
6. Writing sample. Clean copy of a paper demonstrating your research and writing abilities. You may use a paper written for a class assignment or other project as long as it is free of instructor's marks. Be certain to retain the original.

All application materials become the property of the BYU Political Science Department and will not be returned to you; this includes letters of recommendation which cannot be transferred to other parties not involved in this internship program.

Materials not able to be completed online are to be submitted to the Washington Seminar Office Supervisor, 944 SWKT, by the published deadline. Interview. Upon submission of your application, we will schedule an interview for you with the Washington Seminar Director. A letter notifying you of your status with the program will be sent approximately one week after the interview.

Deposit

If accepted, you will have one week to pay a $200 deposit. This deposit will be charged to your student account and paid at the ASB. The deposit will be refunded to you after you start your internship, but will be forfeited if you withdraw from the BYU Utah State Legislature Internship Program.

Prep Course

Second block fall semester, participating students enroll in a one-credit orientation class taught Wednesdays from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Accommodations can be made for class or work conflicts.

Credit

All participants in this program must register for six hours of upper-division political science internship credit. Participants have the option of also registering for two three credit seminars that will be taught second block Winter semester (see the Washington Seminar Assistant for additional information).

How to Apply

Applications are accepted each year beginning March 15 until October 1 for the following year, or until all spots are filled. We encourage you to apply early, as this is a rolling admissions process. For more information, contact the Washington Seminar Office, 801-422-6029.

• Online Application
• Utah State Legislature