Texas Legislative Internship Program
Spring 2023
Applications due before September 2, 2022 by 5:00 p.m. CT
The Texas Legislative Internship Program (TLIP) is an undergraduate internship program in the Texas state capitol during the spring semester while the legislature is in session. This program provides academic, professional, and practical support for students while they intern in a state legislative or senatorial office for a full semester.
The program is administered by the Hobson Wildenthal Honors College at the University of Texas at Dallas and is open to students from all majors who have an interest in the legislative process and Texas politics. It is an intensive experience and to allow for full-time participation, the program provides UT Dallas students with the following benefits:
- Twelve hours of credit – 6 hours of class credit and 6 hours of internship credit allowing students to maintain full-time status at UT Dallas
- Housing scholarship to subsidize housing costs in Austin
- Assistance in finding an internship
Texas Legislative Interns will not be able to take additional classes at UT Dallas or other academic institutions other than the 12 hours required for the program and cannot hold a job other than the legislative internship.
Texas Legislative Internship Program Eligibility and Application
Eligibility
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Junior or senior status
- 24 hours of academic residence at UT Dallas
- Completion of core government requirement (6 hours)
- Previous work or internship experience
- Campus or community involvement
Texas Legislative Internship Program Timeline
Fall Semester
Completed application and all supplemental materials as outlined in the application must be received by September 1, 2022 at the latest. We would like to get your application as early as possible in the summer of 2022 to better assist you in getting an internship position. Finalists will be notified within two weeks and will be invited to participate in an on-campus interview. Program begins with a series of seminars and readings during the fall semester.
Spring Semester
The two classes will be hybrid classes that will meet in executive session during late November with Dr. Dow. Classes will continue during the spring semester with periodic meetings in Austin with Dr. Dow and other visiting faculty. The internship begins in January when the legislative session opens. Students will be responsible for securing housing in Austin during the legislative sessions.
Additional Information
Dr. Douglas C. Dow, Texas Legislative Internship Program Director
Contact: Steven Hawker steven.hawker@utdallas.edu or 972-883-4295.