Any junior or senior from a California State University campus can apply to participate in this program. We prefer students with a 3.0 GPA or higher, but there are no other pre-requisites for this program. Political Science or similar majors recommended, but not required.

The application portal will be open in mid-late September with applications due in late October, one month after the application portal has opened.

No. There is no letter of recommendation required. HOWEVER, applications will be sent to a designated internship advisor and/or department chair on your campus. They will be asked to submit a recommendation form on your behalf so applicants must meet with the internship advisor/department chair identified on the program application prior to submitting the application.

Applicants will receive an email notification in late October-early November. Accepted applicants will be asked to confirm their participation by mid-November.

This program is worth a total of 12 units. Accepted applicants will be enrolled in a 6 unit course for internship units as well as two academic courses (POLS 182A – 3 units; POLS 182B – 3 units). This is BOTH a professional AND academic program.

We strongly discourage students taking additional courses while in the program due to the hours required for your internship. Students are expected to complete an average of 24 hours per week over the course of the semester.

Additionally, students will be required to attend a seminar course on Thursday evenings (5:30-8:20pm) and Friday mornings (9:00-11:50am).

Students may be approved to enroll for up to three (3) additional units if needed to ensure a planned graduation date but will need to meet with the Program Director for approval.

No. Concuurent enrollment is not allowed for our program. If you are accepted, you will be a visiting student at Sac State for the Spring Semester and will be expected to live here in Sacramento.

Visiting students should plan ahead to ensure any courses you need to complete at your home campus are done in advance of participating in the program.

Students may be approved to enroll for up to three (3) additional units if needed to ensure a planned graduation date but will need to meet with the Program Director for approval.

This is largely a program designed for students interested in the policy-making process, and therefore most of our internship are in the state legislature (Assembly and Senate). We also have opportunities in the Governor’s office, the Mayor’s office, at state agencies, and at various lobbying and consulting firms.

While some internships are paid, most are not at this time. However, the program does have a generous scholarship fund and all accepted students are eligble and should apply.

• Scholarship Award amounts are based on a student's unmet financial need determined by your FAFSA.
• Visiting students will receive an award for housing and/or offsetting relocation costs.
• All participants must have a FAFSA on file for the current academic year to receive scholarships and/or housing awards.

All students will be enrolled by Department Staff for the three program courses: POLS 182A, 182B and 195B for a total of 12 units. Students should not enroll in any placeholder courses and must have all holds cleared prior to enrollment.

• Current Sacramento State students will be enrolled at the end of the first week of registration for continuing students.
• Visiting students will be enrolled once a Sacramento State Student ID is assigned. This may vary by individual but the target date for enrollment will be the end of the second week in December.

While it is strongly recommended you do not enroll in additional courses, we understand this may be necessary to stay on track for a timely graduation. If this is the case, keep in mind the following:

• You will be responsible for enrolling yourself to additional courses.
• You must be able to work at your internship site 24 hours per week.
• POLS 182A meets Thursday 5:30-8:20pm on main campus.
• POLS 182B meets Friday 9:00-11:50am at the downtown building.

Students will be provided a list of offices interested in hosting an intern and initial interviews will take place January 22, 23, 26, and 27, 2026.

• Students will provide availability and office preferences for interviews for the above dates.
• Initial offers will be made by January 28, 2026.
• Beginning February 2, 2026 any unplaced students will independently contact interested offices and schedule interviews.

Most internships are still unpaid in our legislature but this can vary by office.

Visiting students will need to complete the CSU Intrasystem Visitor Enrollment form and the Financial Aid Information Release form. These forms will be provided to you once you have accepted your spot in the program.

• Visitor Enrollment form is required to allow enrollment at Sacramento State.
  • Form must be signed by your advisor.
  • Forms need to be turned in to home campus Registrar’s Office.
• Financial Aid Information Release form is required for disbursement of housing award and any subsequent scholarship award.
  • A 2025-2026 FASFA must be filed to receive the housing award.
  • Home campus should be listed as your school of attendance. Do not list or change to Sacramento State.

Visiting students pay all fees at the host campus (Sacramento State). If you are told you need to pay fees at your home campus before your Visitor Enrollment form can be approved, contact mtarter@csus.edu ASAP.

• Fee deferments will be requested by the Sacramento State financial aid office to allow for aid to be disbursed and enrollment to be maintained.

With the exception of the housing award and Sacramento Semester Scholarship, all financial aid is handled through the student’s home campus. Students eligible for veterans, rehabilitation, social security, and other federal, state, or county benefits must secure eligibility certification through the home campus.

• Should receive home campus financial aid as refund since you should owe no balance to your home campus.

All visiting students must submit a Financial Aid Information Release form to receive the housing award.

• Award will be disbursed in the form of a scholarship and typically happens the week before classes begin.
• Award amounts will first be applied to any balance owed. If no balance is due students receive funds in the form of a refund.

• Refunds are received either via check to your permanent address or via e-refund.

Visiting students will need to apply to Hornet Commons: https://www.hornetcommons.com/Apartments/module/application_authentication/

• Submit application. Deadline TBD
  • Refundable application of $35.00 will be due at time of application.
• Leases will be for the Semester rate.
• Students without a guarantor will be required to pay a security deposit equivalent to one (1) rent installment.
  • The security deposit does not go towards any future rent payment.
• If using financial aid/housing award to pay rent, make sure to submit a Financial Aid Installment Deferral Addendum to delay your first payment.
  • Notify Michelle Tarter at mtarter@csus.edu if you will be submitting this form to assist with necessary documentation.