Internship Opportunities

Azleg; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 5,400 - 6,600; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stipend of $6,000

Tuition/fee waiver

Credit hours

Job summary

Azleg is offering an exciting Legislative Internship in Phoenix, Arizona for the spring semester. Interns will earn a stipend of $6,000 and can earn academic credits while working closely with legislative staff.

The internship focuses on conducting research, attending hearings, and directly participating in the legislative process. Candidates must be enrolled in a Bachelor’s or Master’s program with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. This is a fantastic opportunity for students from all disciplines to gain hands-on experience.

Qualifications

• Candidates must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• Students from all academic disciplines are encouraged to apply.
• Knowledge of the legislative process is not required.

Responsibilities

• Conducting research and writing summaries of bills.
• Attending committee hearings and presenting bills.
• Communicating with legislators and constituents.

Skills

Communication skills

Writing skills

Teamwork

Self-starting independence

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree candidates

Job description

The Arizona Legislature provides many internship opportunities for qualified applicants, including the Legislative Internship and Legal Internship. Select a program on the left and discover which one is right for you!

General Information

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, and may also be selected to work in the Governor's Office or with the Supreme Court.

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.

Students from outside Maricopa County may apply for reimbursement of qualified relocation expenses up to $1,000, with receipts.

Description of Position

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.

What is different about being an intern in the Senate or House of Representatives?

Interns may be placed in the Legislature, Governor’s Office, or Supreme Court, but all three placements are legislative internships. The Senate and House interns are in the midst of action, crafting legislation, whereas interns placed in the other branches observe the work.

The Senate and House each select approximately 20 interns. They analyze public policy with a subject‑area committee or the offices of the Republican Staff or Democratic Staff.

Senate and House interns participate directly in the legislative process.

Applicants must be candidates for a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree at one of Arizona’s participating universities and have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher at the time of application.

Candidates for a Bachelor’s degree must have completed at least 75 credit hours at the end of the fall semester prior to the internship. Individual universities may have additional eligibility requirements; contact your university coordinator for information.

Qualifications

The position requires communication and writing skills, the ability to work in a team setting, and self‑starting independence.

Interns do not have to be political science majors or know anything about the legislative process; supervisors will teach you everything you need to know. The most important attributes 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.

University Contacts

University of Arizona
Jane B. Hays
Director, State Relations
Assistant Director, Local and Rural Outreach
Governing & Community Relations
[e-mail]
[phone]

Barbara Quinlan
Executive Assistant State Relations, Government & Community Relations
[e-mail]
[phone]

FAQs

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?
Two rounds of panel interviews. Campus interviews are conducted in October. Interns selected for Capitol interviews are notified in November.

How many interns are hired?
Between 40 and 50 interns 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 18 weeks during the spring semester, beginning the first week of January. Interns receive a $6,000 stipend, 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 8:00 a.m. and work until 5:00 p.m. or until their work is complete, whichever is later. Additional coursework and second jobs are not encouraged.

Does the Legislature set up my housing?
No. Reimbursement 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?
Many former interns have secured positions at state agencies, lobbying groups, law firms, and the private sector. Several former interns are on permanent staff with the House of Representatives and the Senate, and some have moved to federal agencies in Washington, D.C.

How do former interns describe the experience?
"The Arizona State Legislative internship was one of the greatest experiences of my college career."
"…way more than I expected… an invaluable experience."
"This exclusive internship gives a great inside view of state policymaking…"
"I didn’t feel like an intern. I felt like a member of a team…"
"The experiences I had, the skills I gained, and the hands‑on participation in the legislative process has positively impacted my life."
"I learned more about the inner workings of government during this program than I ever could in a classroom setting."

How do I apply?
Contact your university coordinator for more information. Their contact information can be found on the Contacts tab.

Download Application

Application Timeline

• Application Deadline: September 18 by 5:00 p.m. (submit to the university)
• Campus Interviews: September 29 – October 16
• Capitol Interviews: October 26, 27, 29, and 30
• Internship Begins: January 4, 2027
• Internship Ends: May 7, 2027

Campus Interviews by University

• University of Arizona: October 7 – 9
• Grand Canyon University/Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University: September 29; October 14 – 16
• Northern Arizona University: October 1 – 2

Legal Internship Program

When is the Legislative Legal Internship?

The Arizona Legislative Legal Internship occurs during the annual Regular Session, beginning the second Monday in January and lasting throughout the spring semester.

What does the Legislative Legal Internship program consist of?

The legal internship provides a unique opportunity to 2L and 3L students from Arizona State University Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law and the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law to learn about constitutional law, state government, current legal issues, and the legislative process. The program affords participants intensive legal research and writing opportunities.

What are the working hours for the Legislative Legal Internship?

Legal interns generally work 20 hours each week. A flexible schedule can be arranged with the supervising attorney to accommodate your class schedule.

What positions will I be considered for?

Positions are available in the Arizona Senate and the House of Representatives with the non‑partisan Rules Committee legal staff and the Republican and Democratic legal staff. A position is also available with Legislative Council, the Legislature’s non‑partisan bill drafting and legal research agency.

Is this a paid internship and will I receive college credit?

If selected for the legal internship, students may receive up to 6 pass/fail credits for completion of up to 330 hours (20 hours or less per week for 18 weeks) from their law college. Legal interns receive a stipend of $6,000. Additionally, the legislature may provide reimbursement to students for reasonable out‑of‑pocket costs associated with the legal internship.

How can I apply?

Click on the Application link to download the form and additional information. Submit your application and all other materials through the designated online portal at your law college. The deadline to submit your application is 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 4, 2025.

Teri Adam, Externship Director at the Office of Career and Employment Services

Contact for the Legal Internship

University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law contact: Chantal Johnson, Director of the Career Development office

What is the selection process?

After applications are reviewed, students will be contacted by Darci Johnson to schedule an interview in late September at the Arizona State Capitol. Interviews last approximately 20 minutes per applicant and are conducted by a panel of legislative attorneys and staff. Selected applicants will be notified within the same week of the interviews.

Financial aid, including scholarships, loans, or tuition waivers, may be available to students depending on applicable law college policy and participation.

Open House Recruitment

August 25, 2025
(Monday) Arizona State University Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law
12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.
Join us on campus in Rm. 450!

August 26, 2025
(Tuesday) University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law
12:00 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.
THIS WILL BE A HYBRID EVENT.
Join us on campus in Rm 156! Or join us on Zoom via this link: https://arizona.zoom.us/j/84667026286 Password: 169735

*Application Deadline: Thursday, September 4, 2025 by 5:00 p.m.

Please note: Applications must be submitted to the law college's designated online portal by the deadline to be considered.

Interview date at the Capitol: Thursday, September 18, 2025. Interviews will be held in 20‑minute intervals at the Arizona Senate building beginning at 9:00 a.m.