Seminar Course Information

The Senator Ted Stevens Legislative Internship Program, hosted by the University of Alaska Southeast, strives to integrate a formal and systematic understanding of political science with practical political experience.

Students participate in a three credit seminar focused on Alaska and legislative politics, delivered as PS 492A, “Legislative Internship Seminar” or ANS 492A, “Alaska Native Studies Internship Seminar” at the undergraduate level, or PADM 692, “Public Administration Internship Seminar” at the graduate level. The seminar takes places weekly, in the evenings, typically holding classroom sessions in the Capitol building.

The classroom setting gives interns a chance to reflect on their experiences and to analyze the legislative process in Alaska in comparison with other states and with the U.S. federal government in Washington, D.C. Interns also attend an orientation in January, which provides students a basic understanding of the legislative process and logistics and makes integration into students' legislative offices as smooth as possible.

Course Credits and Grading

Interns may receive twelve credits at the 400 level or nine credits at the 600 level. Other arrangements may be possible, as needed. Credits are divided as follows.

Nine of the twelve undergraduate credits (or six graduate credits) are for the placement in the legislative office and are graded Pass/Fail only. In order to be awarded these credits an intern must:

  • Work a total of 490 hours during the session;
  • Receive at least a satisfactory evaluation on all three occasions on which he/she is evaluated by his/her office supervisor;
  • Attend all the pre-orientation session;
  • Obtain a passing grade in the Legislative Internship Seminar.

The additional 3 credit hours are for the Internship Seminar, in which students earn a letter grade. See the Internship Seminar course syllabus for details.

Academic Supervision

The academic supervisor of all interns while they are in Juneau is Glenn Wright, professor of political science at UAS, who is also the statewide program coordinator. He acts as the interns’ advisor during their internship, conducts the Internship Seminar, and acts as the university liaison with the legislature and particularly with each intern's office supervisor.