Frequently Asked Questions

The last semester of your senior year is probably best. That way you're positioned to take advantage of your new skills and contacts. Many students use the internship to launch their first professional job. However, if you have the requisite hours and need or want to do an internship earlier, it's perfectly okay. Some students may do internships before they graduate because they want to intern during the Texas legislature's biennial session, which occurs in the spring of every odd-numbered year.

• Keep your grades up and learn as much as possible about the political process. 
• If you're interested in working in a particular office or agency, learn everything you can about it. 
• Even if you can't give many hours, volunteer with an organization you're interested in. 
• Stay informed about politics and public policy. 
• Research career tracks. 
• Begin to develop a professional resume.

Submit an up-to-date resume to your internship coordinator.

Attach a letter to the resume indicating your internship interests. Please indicate if you have any partisan, ideological, or policy preferences. An internship is a lot more fun if you work in an environment in which you feel comfortable. Every effort is made to find a productive work environment for supervisors and students.

If you're approved for the course, you'll be cleared to register. Remember, you must sign up for the class and pay tuition if you wish to receive course credit. You alone are responsible for registering--neither the Department nor the internship coordinator will physically register you.

B.A. & M.A. in Political Science
Dr. Cecilia Castillo
Phone: 512.245.3991
Email: cr09@txstate.edu

B.P.A. Public Administration
Dr. Sherri Mora
Phone: 512.245.7427
Email: sm43@txstate.edu

You will need the instructor's clearance to register for an internship course, meaning you must visit with the internship coordinator and submit a resume prior to registration.

B.P.A. Public Administration Internship Coordinator
Dr. Sherri Mora
Phone: 512.245.7427
Email: sm43@txstate.edu

An internship provides an introduction to a professional position. It represents a transition from school to professional work. On-site supervisors know that you're there to learn and will help you. Interns usually start with simple tasks and move on to more complex responsibilities. Employers don't expect professional experience; they want responsible individuals who are willing to learn.

Yes, the internship coordinators will place you. The more information you provide about yourself, the easier this is to do. Students are matched as closely as possible with their preferences. However, it's best to intern in an office where they need you, even if it isn't exactly where you wanted to go at first.

Yes, if the internship coordinator approves it.

Yes. The offices and agencies know you are in school. It helps to schedule classes in blocks, i.e. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings or a similar Tuesday/Thursday schedule. That way you spend more consecutive hours at the agency and less time driving. 

Do not take more than 15 credit hours. An internship semester is usually a very busy one.

A minimum of 12 course hours. You will be better prepared for your internship if you've taken several upper-division courses.

Yes. To participate in a political science or public administration internship, you will need a Texas State overall GPA of 2.5 and political science / public administration GPA of 3.0.

• An up-to-date resume
• Short writing sample
• Dressed professionally
• Be familiar with your class schedule so you can immediately schedule work hours with the organization should they offer you the internship

Interns must complete:

• Research project
• Journal
• Synopsis of the internship 

Attendance at two class meetings is also required. The first occurs around mid-term. During this meeting, interns meet each other, discuss job responsibilities, and receive research project information. The second meeting is held right before finals. Interns do a presentation on their internship, discuss their experiences, and hand in written projects.

Of course! Once your coursework is done, any arrangements between you and your employer are your business. Many of our students have been promoted to become paid employees.

Yes, you need to be a major or minor in our department to receive credit. Most departments at Texas State have an internship course, so you should register in your major. If you have a major that does not provide an internship component and want to do a political science internship as an elective, please talk to the political science internship coordinators.

B.A. & M.A. in Political Science
Dr. Cecilia Castillo
Phone: 512.245.3991
Email: cr09@txstate.edu

B.P.A. Public Administration
Dr. Sherri Mora
Phone: 512.245.7427
Email: sm43@txstate.edu

Undergraduate Internships:
For PS 4380: Internship in Government, 150 hours must be completed for the semester. Undergraduate students interested in 6 hours of credit, PS 4680: Internship in Government, must complete 300 hours within the semester.

Graduate Internships:
For PS 5389: Internship in Government, 280 hours must be completed for the semester. This course can be taken up to two times for credit.

No. Our internships are targeted toward political and public service positions. 

If you are interested in pursuing our Legal Studies program, contact the LS Program Director for more information.

No. The political science internship requires students to do a certain amount of substantive work. Working as a messenger is a great experience and provides many contacts, however, it does not include enough substantive work. Students who work as messengers often have a good understanding of how the Capitol works, so if you're thinking about preparing for a for-credit internship, working as a messenger is a good way to start. An added bonus--it's a paid position!

No. In order to receive internship course credit, you must do the internship during the semester in which you sign up and pay for the course.

You may do two internships for credit, however, they must be substantially different. For example, if you worked in the Texas House of Representatives for your first internship, you must work somewhere else (i.e. attorney general's office, interest group) during your second internship.

Yes, part-time and full-time graduate internships are available. Please contact your program director for details.

Each graduate program has their specific course numbers:

Political Science - PS 5389: Internship in Government
Legal Studies - LS 5389: Law Office Internship
Public Administration - PA 5389: Internship in Government

Students who have registered and paid for the internship course have absolute first priority. If there are unfilled positions after all registered interns are placed, however, non-registered students are welcome to pursue these opportunities.

Unfortunately not. Most interns placed through the university are unpaid. If you must have a paid internship, you may need to do some advance research / work on your own. Try to plan ahead for your internship semester.

Yes, but most internships are in Austin. 

Please note, internships available in San Marcos are usually in local government.

Absolutely. Just make sure you talk to the internship coordinator during the previous semester to the start of your internship.

A Washington, D.C. internship provides a unique opportunity to gain political experience and many are available, such as Texas State alumni holding federal positions who are willing to mentor a current student. Finding housing takes planning, but is neither impossible nor unaffordable.

Texas State students have interned in the U.S. Congress, Washington think tanks, and the CIA.

Yes, but most international internships require much advanced planning. Political science and public administration majors need to apply through the Department of Political Science. Other majors should check with and apply through their major department. Introduce your desire for an international internship to your internship coordinator well in advance of your internship semester.

For more information on international internship opportunities, visit our Internship Links.