The SH Austin Internship Program
OVERVIEW
The Sam Houston State Austin Internship Program (SHAIP) was initiated by President Hoyt in 2012, designed to provide top University students the opportunity to supplement their academic understanding with expanded professional networks, occupational skills, and technical proficiencies--while also representing the University in the Texas Legislature. Students who are selected will earn academic credit for their work and engage in a business environment that combines academic rigor with real-world responsibility. Financial support is provided by the University.
Selected interns must be current SHSU students. Applicants will be evaluated on their academic record, reliability, professionalism, record of involvement in related events, interviews, references, and other factors. Students must be willing to commit to move to Austin for the duration of the internship process and will be graded on their academic and occupational performance.
The application process involves completing this form, attaching your resume (completed, in this template), completing a short essay, and providing references. Applications will be accepted until at least September 30, 2026, but preference is given to earlier submissions.*
University staff will review submitted applications and may request interviews or additional paperwork from selected candidates. Historically, students who are selected for the internship have had excellent grades, have participated in previous LEAP Center internships, have participated in numerous LEAP Center events, and show a demonstrated ability to handle heavy workloads, as evidenced by the ability to handle a combination of full class schedules and jobs over time.
Following these steps, students will be selected to interview with designated offices in the Texas Legislature (or other government offices). To obtain an internship with the Austin Internship Program, students must be selected by both the Austin Internship Program staff and an approved office in Austin. Criminal background checks may be run by the University, the legislature, or both. Of course, students may find their own internships in the legislature, but they will not receive academic credit through LEAP/SHAIP or receive LEAP/SHAIP scholarships.
Selected students will participate in mandatory orientation sessions, after which they will begin their internships on Monday, January 6, 2025 (dates may change, depending on the needs of the legislative office) and will work through at least the last day of session. Students will receive scholarships totaling up to $8,000 to defray living and school costs. Students who are paid through their internships, who have little or no housing costs, or who are not eligible for additional scholarship funds may receive less scholarship support.
Interns must be enrolled in six hours of internship credit and may receive up to twelve hours by fulfilling independent study course requirements or online classes (if approved by the Director of LEAP). Students' schedules must be approved by the Director of the Austin Internship Program.
*The application deadline may be extended following a review of existing applications.
FAQ
Below you will find answers to frequently asked questions about the program with, of course, answers. If you need additional information, please email or call Professor Mike Yawn at mike.yawn@shsu.edu or (936) 294-1456.
The Austin Internship Program seeks students who are bright, hard-working, and professional. During the last legislative session, the average GPA for selected students was 3.75, and a majority of those students had completed internships with the Political Science Department and participated in many of the LEAP Center's regular events. Students can learn more about the criteria and application process on the "About" page.
The Austin Internship program welcomes students from all majors. The Texas Legislature has committees relating to commerce, health, transportation, education, crime, corrections, finance, jurisprudence, the environment, energy, veterans affairs, agriculture, recreation, tourism, ethics, homeland security, international trade, child protection, technology, human trafficking, water, and aging. Moreover, students can learn valuable skills such as writing, research, and interpersonal relations that will transfer to any field in which the student may work. While any major can obtain the internship, students must be able to incorporate internship hours into their degree plan to obtain an internship through our program.
Students in the program sign up for and receive six hours of credit for their internship, provided that we can fit that into the student's degree plan. Interested students should consult with intern director Mike Yawn to see about the possibility of obtaining additional hours during their internship, which can include up t six additional online hours.
Interns engage in various activities, including: working with constituents, attending committee meetings, conducting policy research, event planning, and others. The kind of work depends on the students' interests and skills and the needs of the legislative offices.
Students selected to the internship program will receive a generous scholarship from SHSU during the legislative session. The scholarship, which totals $8,000 over the course of the session, covers most or all of the student's school and tuition costs. The internship director will also meet with the student and financial aid representatives to determine additional loan or grant possibilities for the student.
The internship lasts the entire course of the Texas Legislative session, which is a few weeks longer than the spring semester. In addition, interns will typically arrive about a week before the session begins and stay at least a day after the session ends. The legislature convenes at noon on the second Tuesday in January of odd-numbered years and the session lasts for 140 calendar days. The spring 2025 session (89th) lasts from January 14 through June 2. Interns are expected to begin work on January 6-7 and work until at least the day after the end of the session (office rules may vary).
Students should not commit to the internship unless they are prepared to work industriously and professionally for the entire session. Students who drop out for reasons other than documented medical emergencies will receive a failing grade for their internship classes.
Austin interns head in diverse directions. One former intern is teaching; one is doing mission work in Europe; one is a newscaster on a Texas television station; one is an accountant; one is now the Chief of Staff for a legislative office; others are in law school; another has her own law firm; it's really up to you. The goal of the program is to give you the opportunity to refine the skills and qualities that will help you fulfill whatever dreams you have.
Contact LEAP
Email and Phone
936-294-1456