Legislative Internship

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

In cooperation with other campuses of the University of Alaska system, Alaska Pacific University, and Sheldon Jackson University, the department coordinates this 12 credit internship program with the Alaska Legislature. Students have an opportunity to gain first hand experience in the political process while working in a legislator's office in the State Capitol during the Legislative Session between January and May.

This program enables qualified students from any Alaska University campus to gain practical experience in the legislative process as part of their degree program. Interns are required to work 30 hours per week for the seventeen-week session.

The practical placement is combined with an internship seminar which begins one week before the session and lasts until the end of April.

ORGANIZATION OF THE PROGRAM

The program is jointly administered by the Legislative Council of the Alaska State Legislature and the five major university campuses in Alaska.

Primary responsibility for the academic administration of the program is placed with the University of Alaska Southeast. All stipends and travel expenses are paid through UAS and all

credit hours are granted by UAS. Credit earned are readily transferred to UAA.

The Statewide Program Coordinator is Clive Thomas, Professor of Political Science at UAS. He acts as the academic supervisor for the interns while they are in Juneau and he conducts the internship seminar.

WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION AND HOW DO I APPLY?

Further information and an application packet can be obtained from your campus program coordinator,
Dr. Patrick Cunningham. Students return completed applications with supporting materials to Dr. Cunningham.

WHEN IS THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS?

The deadline varies from year to year, but roughly falls around October 15th. Be sure to meet the deadline as no late or incomplete applications will be accepted.
Results of the selection process will be announced by November 15.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN APPLYING BUT ARE NOT YET ELIGIBLE..

...why not plan to incorporate the program into your degree at a later date?
In preparing for the program be sure to take some political science and public administration courses.

The most useful ones are: Alaska Politics, Legislative Process, State and Local Government, Public Administration, Public Policy, American Government, and Introduction to Political Science.

You should also develop your writing skills, obtain experience in conducting research and acquire a basic knowledge of word-processing.

Your campus coordinator, Dr. Patrick Cunningham, will be happy to give you further advice on preparing for the legislative internship.

Statewide Coordinators
Clive Thomas
Statewide Academic Coordinator
Political Science
University of Alaska Southeast
Juneau, Alaska 99801
(907) 465-5381

UAA Coordinator
Patrick Cunningham
Social Work
(907) 786- 6902