New York State Senate Undergraduate Session Assistants Program
The Senate Undergraduate Session Assistants Program offers approximately 30 talented undergraduate students an opportunity to experience state government and the legislative process, through their participation in an on-site, academic enriching, and career building work experience. The Program runs about four months, beginning in early January and ending in late April. This program was created to foster an appreciative understanding of New York State’s legislative process, which includes, but is not limited to: the development of legislation and public policy; resolving constituent problems and concerns; the understated procedures and dynamics of legislative session; and problem-solving in state government. Typically, up to 15 credit hours are awarded by most participating SUNY, CUNY, and independent colleges and universities, and students receive a $5,025 stipend.
Please refer to this page (http://www.etrinternship.org/html/contacts.htm) for the CUNY Campus Faculty Coordinators (campus liaison) to get more information on the exact deadline and application process.
Award / Eligibility Details:
The Applicant must be a United States citizen, and enrolled and matriculated in an accredited undergraduate degree program at a college or university located in New York State. The program is designed for college juniors and seniors, though exceptional sophomores may occasionally be selected. Freshmen are ineligible. Students must be enrolled full-time in the previous spring and current fall semester/trimester, possess a 3.0 grade point average or better, and meet their college/university requirements for off-campus study. A student’s eligibility status must be certified by their CLO, Academic Advisor, Chairman, Dean or other duly authorized campus personnel. Majors in all accredited disciplines are accepted; pursuit of a degree in history or political science is neither a prerequisite nor an advantage to selection. Academic achievement, personal initiative and an avid interest in learning, along with maturity and a strong work ethic, are essential for success.
To be eligible, each applicant must be able to earn campus-awarded credit for participation in the program. Advisement, evaluation, grading and granting of credit are the responsibility of on-campus faculty. Such faculty is responsible for academic planning, tracking, and evaluation of student participation based upon the Director of Student Program’s confidential written evaluation of the student’s performance. Owing to the demands of the on-site program, the Senate imposes a limit of six (6) additional classroom credits pursued outside the program during enrollment.
Deadline: Late October each year
Academic Level: Undergraduate
Type/Purpose: Internship / Professional Development, Public Service Program
Field of Study: All, Arts & Humanities, Business, Education / Teaching, Public Affairs / Policy, Social Sciences, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math)
Location: United States
Citizenship eligibility: US Citizen, US National
Special Circumstances:
For more information: https://www.nysenate.gov/newsroom/articles/undergraduate-program
