Legislative Internship
Get hands-on experience while working as an intern at North Carolina's General Assembly.
Program Overview
NC State’s School of Public and International Affairs coordinates the Legislative Internship Program, which it conducts under the authority of the North Carolina General Assembly,
Each year, the program chooses up to 12 interns from the state’s four-year degree-granting colleges and universities to serve as staff assistants for officers and members of the General Assembly. Interns also pursue a parallel course of academic study at NC State.
Opportunities
The internship affords qualified applicants a unique opportunity to gain valuable experience. Interns learn about:
- Running a legislative office and dealing with constituents.
- The legislative policy-making process.
- How political factors influence the policy and legislative processes.
- How organized interests are represented and the role they play in the legislative process.
The program is designed to offer participants “hands-on” experience that is an invaluable addition to their academic coursework. Many legislative interns have used the experience and contacts they make to help them find post-graduate employment in state government, legislative offices or the private sector.
Internship
You’ll work 30 hours a week as a legislative assistant for members of the General Assembly.
Coursework
You’ll also take two political science courses at NC State and attend weekly seminars.
Benefits
In addition to gaining valuable work experience, you’ll receive a weekly stipend and course credits.
How it Works
Interns enroll in 12 credit hours of NC State political science courses for the spring semester. They include the internship class, PS 391, for 6 credit hours and two additional upper-level courses:
- Legislative Process (PS 502 – 3 hours)
- Legislative Leadership (PS 498 – 3 hours)
Twelve semester credit hours will be eligible for transfer to the intern’s home college or university.
Interns will work a minimum of 30 hours each week at the General Assembly, which convenes in January 2023. Interns will be paid $350 per week for approximately 22 weeks of the session. Typically, the General Assembly continues to pay interns who are performing well and who wish to work until they complete the session. NC State University housing may be available; however, interns may live anywhere they choose in the Triangle.
Participation in the Legislative Internship Program is open to juniors and seniors studying the humanities and social sciences. Preference is given to students demonstrating a clear interest in politics, either through their major or minor fields of study, courses they have taken or through past activism or experience.
Costs
For current tuition and fees, please visit NC State’s Student Services website.
Participants from other colleges/universities should be prepared to pay their NCSU billed charges. Exploring financial aid options? Connect with your financial aid office at your home institution to determine eligibility via the Consortium Agreement process.
How to Apply
Information session: 6:30-7:30 p.m. Sept 27, 2022, via Zoom or in Winston Hall 029.
The application deadline for this program is by 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 21, 2022.
Completed applications include:
- An application form (see below).
- Your resume and an interest statement.
- Your transcript.
- Three references (two of which should be from faculty members, including a member of the major department).
Approximately 20 applicants will be selected for personal interviews in early November. Appointments will be made by a committee comprised of the program director, faculty/staff from the School of Public and International Affairs, and senior General Assembly legislative staff. Prospective interns will be notified around Nov. 18, 2022.
