Harris County Treasurer Dylan Osborne (CHIP Alumni) with the spring 2019 CHIP Interns

The Hobby School of Public Affairs' Civic Houston Internship Program (CHIP) offers government internships to University of Houston students each fall and spring semester. Since its inception, the program has placed over 1400 interns in local political offices. Judging by the feedback from participating offices, the program is a resounding success. Numerous students have had the opportunity to change their status as a part-time intern to a full-time paid staff member.

Meet the fall 2023 interns!

Fall 2023 Program Information

The Civic Houston Internship Program (CHIP) is open to University of Houston juniors and seniors, as well as post-baccalaureate students. Sophomores may apply as well but priority is given to upper level students. All majors are welcome.

The interns work an average of 8 hours per week over the 15-week semester in offices with elected officials at the municipal, county, state or federal levels. Some interns are assigned to community service organizations and campaigns. The interns meet as a class four times during the semester. Evaluation is based on a daily journal, a term paper, and an assessment by the office supervisor.

The internship course counts as 3 hours of upper level political science credit for UH Central students. Grades are based on a daily journal, a term paper, and an evaluation by an office supervisor. Renee Cross is the instructor of record. 

Approximately 40 internships are available each semester, and the selection process has become increasingly competitive. Students with a 3.0 GPA and higher will be given priority in acceptance and assignment decisions.

Please note that CHIP internship placements focus solely on government offices, as well as political campaigns, non-profits and government and policy work within the private sector.  If you are seeking something in international affairs, please see the International Affairs Internship Program.

Application

Applications are closed. Please check back at a later date to apply for spring 2024.

General questions about the Civic Houston Internship Program may be directed to Jessica Ruland O'Connor at jlruland@central.uh.edu.

All registration questions should be directed to the political science academic advisors.

Check out the sample syllabus.

Richard Murray Scholarship

The Richard Murray Endowed Scholarship was established in 2008 for the purpose of honoring Dr. Richard Murray's service to the Houston community and 40 years of teaching and research at the University of Houston. Click here to read more.

Civic Houston Internship Program Award

The CHIP Award was established in 2003 to recognize an outstanding local government intern.  A $1,000 award is presented to one recipient each fall and spring semester.  Read more.

Certified Public Manager Scholarship for Hobby School of Public Affairs Intern Alumni

The Hobby School of Public Affairs’ Certified Public Manager Scholarship provides former Hobby Fellows, Leland Fellows and Civic Houston Interns who are currently working in government or with a non-profit organization paid tuition for the Certified Public Manager (CPM) program at the University of Houston (non-transferable).  Read more.

CHIP Success Stories

Over one thousand students have participated in the Civic Houston Internship Program.  Read about their success after their internship.

Check out previous CHIP participants