Arizona Legislative Internship
Learn the legislative process and gain real work experience while working as a legislative intern.
Program Overview
The Legislative Internship is offered during the spring semester, from January through May. Interns are placed in various positions at the Arizona State Senate or House of Representatives. Interns may also be selected to work in the Governor’s Office or with the Supreme Court. Duties include conducting research; writing summaries of bills; attending committee hearings; presenting bills in committees and caucus; preparing amendments; and communicating with legislators, liaisons of state agencies, lobbyists, constituents and members of the general public. Interns are supervised and mentored by a legislative staff person. Specific duties vary, depending on intern assignments. Interns receive a stipend of $6,000, a tuition/fee waiver and earn 12 hours of undergraduate upper division credit or 9 hours of graduate credit upon successful completion of the internship.
Interns do not have to be political science majors or know anything about the legislative process; your supervisors will teach you everything you need to know. The most important attributes of an intern are enthusiasm, a willingness to learn through hands-on experience, and interest in the legislative process. Students from all academic disciplines are encouraged to apply.
Interns may be placed in the Legislature, Governor’s Office or Supreme Court. However, all three placements are LEGISLATIVE internships. This means that interns in the Senate and House are in the midst of the action, taking part in the crafting of legislation. Interns placed in the other branches observe this work. The Senate and House each select approximately 20 interns. They analyze public policy either with a subject-area committee or the offices of the Republican Staff or Democratic Staff. Lastly, Senate and House interns participate directly in the legislative process, rather than monitoring the process as observers.
Eligibility Requirements
- Be an undergraduate or graduate student at the time of your application
- Have a 3.0 GPA
- Have at least 75 completed credits at the end of the fall semester prior to the internship (undergraduates only)
Important Dates
| Application Deadline | Friday, Sept. 19, 2025, 5 pm Arizona Time (submitted to Marquis Scott at [email protected]) |
| Campus Interviews | Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025 |
| Capitol Interviews | Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 27 – 28 | Thursday and Friday, Oct. 30 – 31 |
| Internship Begins | Monday, Jan. 5, 2026 |
| Internship Ends | May 2026 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to know about the government or be a political science major?
No! Students from all majors and disciplines are encouraged to apply. Former interns’ majors have included communications, religious studies, ecology and evolutionary biology, economics, finance, media arts and psychology, among others. Legislative Staff trains, supervises and mentors interns at all times.
What is the selection process?
There are two rounds of panel interviews. Campus interviews are conducted in October to determine which candidates will be interviewed at the State Capitol by the Legislative Selection Committee. Interviews at the State Capitol are the last week in October. Interns are selected and notified in November.
How many interns are hired?
There are between 40 and 50 interns who serve in various capacities at the Senate and House of Representatives.
How long does the internship last and do I get paid?
The internship lasts for 18 weeks during the spring semester, beginning the first week of January. Interns receive a $6,000 stipend, plus a tuition/fee waiver and credit hours. Students from outside Maricopa County may be eligible for reimbursement of moving expenses up to $1,000 (with receipts).
What are the working hours for the internship?
Interns normally begin work at 8 am and work until 5 pm or until their work is complete, whichever is later. Interns generally work long hours, so additional coursework and second jobs are not encouraged.
Does the Legislature set up my housing?
No. Reimbursement of up to $1,000 is available for students from outside Maricopa County, but interns are responsible for setting up their own housing.
Are there job opportunities?
Yes! Many former interns have succeeded in obtaining positions at various state agencies, with lobbying groups, law firms and the private sector. Several former interns are currently on permanent staff with the House of Representatives and the Senate and some have gone to various federal agencies in Washington, D.C.