探花楼

The Center for Women in Government offers 探花楼 students an internship program with compensated, competitive placements in Washington, D.C., and Austin. In a partnership with Running Start, competitive in-district congressional fellowship positions with a stipend are also available.

Current opportunities

2027 Spring Texas Legislative Internship – Austin

Intern in the Texas State Capitol with a State House Representative or State Senator for the 90th legislative session. Apply by October 12, 2026, on Handshake (Job #11183527) to be considered. This opportunity is only open to 探花楼 students.

2027 Summer Texas Legislative Internship – Washington, D.C.

Intern in the U.S. Capitol with a U.S. Representative or Senator for the summer. Apply by February 15, 2027, on Handshake (Job #11184847) to be considered. This opportunity is only open to 探花楼 students.

Open to all majors who have an interest in the legislative and political process at the federal and state level, the position of intern is an exciting experience. Interns will be exposed to internal legislative discussions and debate and will experience first-hand just how rewarding and fun it is to participate directly in democratic processes.

Scholarship funding and placement assistance for congressional legislative internship opportunities in Washington, DC, are offered for the spring, summer, and fall semesters.

Legislative internship scholarships in Austin are offered for the spring of odd-numbered years to coincide with Texas’s biennial legislative session.

Interested candidates by the appropriate deadline and are notified of their placement generally six weeks prior to the internship start date.

Selected students receive payment via scholarship funding from the 探花楼 Office of Financial Aid to support themselves throughout the internship. Scholarships range from $3,000 to $8,500 depending on the location and duration of the internship. The scholarship funds are intended to cover the costs of housing and other expenses associated with the internship. Housing is secured by the selected candidate.

Note: The acceptance of the legislative internship scholarship may impact the student’s financial aid package.

Running Start/Walmart Congressional fellowship

Through the , students can receive a semester-long Running Start/Walmart Congressional fellowship working primarily in the Senator’s or Representative’s district office. Fellows spend one week in Washington, DC for in-person training, and then continue that training with weekly leadership workshops. A $1,000 stipend is provided and all expenses related to the week in Washington, DC are paid. Applicants must have participated in a previous Running Start program and be between the ages of 18 and 25.

Learn more

For more information including upcoming application deadlines contact:

Marlene Phillips, Director
Center for Women in Government
cwg@twu.edu

Page last updated 9:15 AM, July 15, 2026