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California State University, Sacramento
The
Sacramento Semester Program
More Information | Application Form |
Scholarship
Grant Application | Scholarship
Release Information
|Sac Semester
Frequently Asked Questions |2005
Students | 2006 Students
| 2008 Students
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Active
Learning at Its Best
The
Sacramento Semester Program, established in 1976 at California State
University,Sacramento,
is active learning at its best. As the most populous state in the U.S.,
California has a large and complex state government that deals with public
policy on virtually all the issues that confront the nation as the new
century begins.
The
Sacramento Semester Program offers you, as a student at one of the 23
California State University campuses or other college or university, the
opportunity to work with members of the legislature, departments in the
executive branch, or with political associations and lobbyists during a
four and one-half month internship. Typically, Sacramento Semester students
conduct legislative research, monitor bills, correspond with constituents
or grassroots membership, prepare press releases and newsletters, and
participate in budget work and campaign planning.
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"I worked in
the State Capitol, in a legislative office, for a legislator. This alone is
reason enough to become part of this program." |
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"This
program is quite simply the best and only way to learn about state
government. The time spent in class reinforces the lessons of the
work-place by adding background and depth."
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Sacramento
Semester alumni are found in top positions in all facets of state
government. You'll meet many of them along with other political
practitioners from inside and outside of government, including legislators,
lobbyists, members of the press corps and constitutional officers at
regular seminar/guest speaker sessions. The seminars, held on the CSUS
campus and also in the Capitol building, provide background and depth to
your internship experience.
Students
will also benefit from activities of other programs of California State
University, Sacramento—California's Capital University—including the Center
for California Studies, the master's program in public policy and
administration, and the department of government. The CSUS campus, home to
more than 29,000 undergraduate and graduate students, is located just five
miles from the Capitol.
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The
Sacramento Semester Program helps you:
- Acquire valuable skills, experiences and contacts
that will enhance your career prospects.
- Balance and complement your academic preparation with
practical experience.
- Meet leading personalities in California government
and politics.
- Understand what's behind the news headlines about
state government.
- Contribute to the
formation of public policy in California—the seventh largest economy in
the world.
Academic
Credit
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You receive 6
semester units (Credit/No credit) for working 25 hours per week in your
intern placement. An additional 6 semester units (letter graded) are
awarded for successful completion of the seminar. Academic units are
transferred through the CSU IntraSystem Visitor program to your home
campus. Additional courses may be taken. |
"I learned
more during the Sacramento Semester than in any other term during my
college years." |
Financial
Aid
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"The
personal contacts that I developed in and around the Capitol helped me land
my first job. I was present when my legislator telephoned my future
employer on my behalf."
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If
you are a student at one of the 23 California State University campuses,
you are eligible for one of 10 state-funded scholarships of $4,000 (in
2007) to help cover costs of relocating to Sacramento for the program. The
award is made based on the excellence of your qualifications and
demonstrated financial need. Scholarship applications, as well as the
program application, are available on-line at this site.
If
you are a student at a college or university other than a CSU campus, you
are eligible to apply for a smaller amount of assistance from the
Sacramento Semester Endowment. Students from San Jose State University may
apply for the Truax Scholarship; contact the political science office at
San Jose State for details. Most financial aid grants may be transferred
from the home campus to California State University, Sacramento for the
program.
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Application
Criteria
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Students
from all majors are encouraged to apply; state government has need of and
opportunity for students with training in the natural sciences, social
sciences, and humanities. Sacramento Semester students must be in their
junior or senior year. Among selection criteria are grade point average,
strong writing skills, employment history, and extra-curricular activities.
Applications
are initially screened on your home campus by the program's faculty
representative, and then sent to Sacramento for final acceptance. There is
a representative in the political science department on your campus who can
help with questions and application procedures.
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"In
my member's office, I learned how to work a bill through the whole
process…it was fantastic."
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Calendar
November:
Application deadline is the Friday, November 9, 2007. Turn in your
completed application to the program's faculty representative in the
political science department on your campus.
December:
You will receive notification of acceptance into the program in early
December. This will be followed by preliminary information about course
registration, housing, the Sacramento area, etc.
January:
The program begins with the start of the Spring semester in late January. An
orientation is held Wednesday through Friday the week before classes begin.
After preliminary interviews, internship placements are made.
May:
The program ends in late May.
For
more information you may contact the political science department office on
your home campus, or the program director at CSU Sacramento. Applications are
available on-line at this site.
Mr.
Michael Wadlé
Sacramento Semester Program
wadlem@csus.edu
(916) 278-4012
Department of Government
California State University, Sacramento
6000 J Street
Sacramento, CA 95819-6089
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