Submitted by Meera Roy
on
Washington State Legislative Internship Program (WSLIP)
Drop-In Information Sessions
Come to any session to meet the program coordinators and to learn about the program!
Click here to register for the Information Sessions. Registration is optional, but students who register will be sent a reminder the day before.
Wednesday, Sept 7 Smith 40A | Thursday, Sept 8 Smith 40A |
|---|---|
10-10:30am | 10-10:30am |
10:30-11am | 10:30-11am |
11-11:30am | 11-11:30am |
11:30-12pm | 11:30-12pm |
12-12:30pm | 12-12:30pm |
No sessions from 1230-130pm | |
130-2pm | 130-2pm |
2-2:30pm | 2-2:30pm |
2:30-3pm | 2:30-3pm |
3-3:30pm | 3-3:30pm |
Or, join their Virtual Information Session on Thursday, October 15, at 6pm. Click here to register.
About the Program
- Program Dates: Starts Monday, January 5, in Olympia and runs the entirety of Winter Quarter. Students may opt to continue until the session ends on April 25.
- Stipend: $2,400 per month during the 2027 session
Each January, the Washington State Legislature welcomes a cohort of passionate, inquisitive, and hardworking juniors and seniors to serve as non-partisan legislative staff. This is a full-time, five-days-a-week internship in Olympia, WA.
The Legislative Internship Program offers unparalleled access to Washington’s most influential leaders and policy makers, professional development to build transferable skills, and hands-on simulations to learn all aspects of the legislative process. This experience will encourage you to learn quickly, think critically, and develop professionally as you forge lifelong connections in public policy.
Eligibility to Apply
Applicants must be juniors or seniors at the time of the internship, must be in good academic standing, and must be registered for academic credit while participating as an intern.
No prior political experience is necessary, and students of all majors are encouraged to apply. The program welcomes applicants from diverse backgrounds and political ideologies who are active leaders, engaged in campus communities, and excited to learn about government while gaining practical job skills. Whether your interest is in law, business, communications, environmental policy, public health, or other areas, there is a place for you in Olympia. Interns are matched with legislators in the House of Representatives or the Senate based on interest areas and political ideology. There are also opportunities for interns to serve as caucus staff, focusing on policy or communications.
UW Registration Requirement
UW students who accept admission to the program are required to register for 15 credits of Pol S 497, Political Internship in State Government, during Winter Quarter.
- 5 cr. for an academic class, graded numerically, and counting toward Pol S major requirements (Field D, American Politics, or the elective requirement).
- 10 credits for the internship experience, graded CR/NC, and counting toward credits needed to graduate (credits do not count toward Pol S Major requirements).
Application Deadlines and Details
Priority Deadline: October 21, 11:59pm
Final Deadline: October 28, 11:59pm
If you have started an application, enter this information in the "I have arranged a faculty sponsor..." section:
- Faculty Sponsor Name: Political Science Advising
- Faculty Sponsor Email: polsadvc@uw.edu