Student Experiences
Gain Experience, Change the World
SCL students have secured internships in law, finance, real estate, international non-profit work, and more. SCL Career Success is here to support students across a wide array of career goals.
Career Success
An Education for Life, for Liberty, for Good
Texas Civic Leadership provides an education for the good you can do in the world. Connect with resources, define your career path with a minor or certificate on campus, or take the next step with an internship for credit.
Internship for Credit
Student Eligibility
Civics Honors majors are required to complete 3 hours of internship credit as part of their degree plans.
Great Books majors have the option of completing an internship for elective credit. SCL offers opportunities for 1-, 2-, and 3-hour internship courses so that students can pursue a variety of options.
Currently enrolled, degree-seeking Civics Honors majors in the School of Civic Leadership are eligible to enroll in the following internship-for-credit courses:
Internship in Civic Leadership*
CIV 177I
Internship in Civic Leadership*
CIV 278I
Internship in Civic Leadership*
CIV 379
*At this time, Civics Honors majors with approved internships are eligible to enroll in CIV 379 for the 2026 Summer Term. One- and two-hour credit hour variants will open in Fall 2026.
Internship Criteria
Internships can be paid or unpaid, and internship opportunities will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Internships must:
Provide direct and daily supervision and guidance and regular access to the supervisor
Assign meaningful projects with learning components
Provide a professional, established working environment whether in-person or hybrid/remote. Internships taking place in home-office sites or “in the field” are not eligible for the course
Provide the resources needed to complete the internship responsibilities
Employer providing the internship must be an established for-profit company with the legal right to transact business in the state of the internship site, an IRS-exempt organization, a governmental entity, or an established, professionally-recognized and legal entity of a foreign country
Eligible employers must have an established professional website and matching email domain
Eligible employers must have a registered address that is not a private residential address.
Internship opportunities that will NOT be approved:
Self-employment
Work performed in a student’s family-owned or family-managed business
Work performed for a student-run organization
Work performed autonomously, without direct managerial oversight and guidance, for example, door-to-door sales and similar activities
Work performed for an organization that does not provide the tools and equipment necessary to complete the work, for example, positions that require the student to use their own computer or field sales roles that do not provide either transportation or mileage reimbursement
Participation in a political campaign, PAC or lobbying effort, however, working for a seated public servant is acceptable
Training activities, for example, time spent preparing for a licensure exam (insurance, securities, state bar, etc.)
Work performed in an employer’s private home or for a business that is registered to a private residential address
Remote work assignments that are unique to the intern and do not align with the remote work guidelines for all of the organization’s employees
Application and Registration
1
2
Enroll
- 1.Internship in Civic Leadership*
- 2.Select “+ New Experience”
- 3.Under Internship Course, select “School of Civic Leadership Internship”
- 4.Complete the form and hit “Save”
- 5.Upload offer letter and click Submit
3
Confirmation
Once an internship is approved, the student receives a confirmation email. Students must have this email to register for the correct internship course.
*Registration for summer internship courses may be effected through University Extension (UEX) for a reduced rate.
Students should consult with their academic advisor for more information about this option.
Course Assignments and Grading
Course assignments will be completed through Canvas, and students will receive a letter grade for the internship course.
Additional Campus Internship Programs
There are several UT Austin programs open to all majors, and internships completed through these approved programs will satisfy the internship-for-credit requirements for the School of Civic Leadership.
Students considering these programs should meet with their academic advisor prior to their enrollment in the program to coordinate internship-for-credit transfers
UTNY
Coursework and internship in New York
UTLA
Coursework and internship in Los Angeles
Home to Texas
First Year Student Summer Internships
Archer Fellowship Program
Coursework and internship in Washington D.C.
Bridging Disciplines Programs
Interdisciplinary certificate program with internship
Embedded Scholars
International Internship Experiences
Internship Search Resources
There are several UT Austin programs open to all majors, and internships completed through these approved programs will satisfy the internship-for-credit requirements for the School of Civic Leadership.
Students considering these programs should meet with their academic advisor prior to their enrollment in the program to coordinate internship-for-credit transfers
Take the Lead in Any Discipline
Explore your career opportunities with a major or minor in Texas Civic Leadership.
Select a Career Area to explore majors and courses that match your Interest:
Government & Policy
Health Professions
National Security
Public Services & Education
Legal Professions
Business & Entrepreneurship
Science & Technology
Find your Path.
Build your Future.
Select a Career Area to explore majors and courses that match your Interest:
Government & Policy
How SCL prepares you for your success in the field:
Your SCL degree prepares you to respond to important questions in government and policy careers, such as: What attracts me to work in government or public affairs? What does it mean to have ambition both to be excellent but also to serve others? How should I think about the consequences, intended and unintended, of regulation or legislation?
Majors in SCL match well with these minor or certificate opportunities across campus:
- Communicating Social Issues Minor
- Communicating for Development and Philanthropy Minor
- Communication Studies Minor
- Journalism and Media Minor
- Health Communication Minor
- Media Studies Minor
- Global Communication Minor
- Philosophy, Politics, and Economics Minor
- Ethics & Leadership in Law, Politics & Government Certificate
- Public Policy Certificate
Health Professions
How SCL prepares you for your success in the field:
Your SCL degree prepares you to respond to important questions in medicine and health, such as: What does it mean to provide care? How can I serve those who suffer? What are the obligations we have to public health?
Majors in SCL match well with these minor or certificate opportunities across campus:
- Pre-Health Professions Certificate
- Social Inequality, Health & Policy Certificate
- Ethics & Leadership in Health Care Certificate
- Patients, Practitioners & Cultures of Care Certificate
National Security
How SCL prepares you for your success in the field:
Your SCL degree prepares you to respond to important questions in national security, such as: What is war? What is peace? How can what I say and do shape outcomes? What is the origin and history of America’s influence in the world? Whose interests matter, and why?
Majors in SCL match well with these minor or certificate opportunities across campus:
- National Security & International Business Minor
- Military Leadership Minor (ROTC)
- Conflict Prevention, Management & Resolution Certificate
Public Services & Education
How SCL prepares you for your success in the field:
Your SCL degree prepares you to respond to important questions in education and public service careers, such as: What kind of education do I need to lead in my community? How can what I learn shape who I am? What traditions have shaped American civic life? What does it mean for a person or for a community to succeed and to thrive?
Majors in SCL match well with these minor or certificate opportunities across campus:
- Digital Humanities Certificate
- American Studies Minor
- Applied Economics Minor
- Classical Studies Minor
- Core Texts and Ideas Minor or Certificate
- Economics Minor
- History Minor
- Government Minor
- Law, Justice, and Society Minor
- Law and Religion Minor
- Military Leadership Minor (ROTC)
- Philosophy of Law Minor
- Philosophy Minor
- Philosophy, Politics, and Economics Minor
- European Studies Minor
- Children & Society Certificate
- Non-Profits & Social Entrepreneurship Certificate
Legal Professions
How SCL prepares you for your success in the field:
Your SCL degree prepares you to respond to important questions in law, such as: What is law? What is the origin and history of the American constitutional system? What should I do when I disagree with the law?
Majors in SCL match well with these minor or certificate opportunities across campus:
- Pre-Law Services
- Core Texts and Ideas Minor or Certificate
- Philosophy of Law Minor
- History Minor
- Government Minor
- Law, Justice, and Society Minor
- Law and Religion Minor
- Military Leadership Minor (ROTC)
- Philosophy, Politics, and Economics Minor
- Human Rights & Social Justice Certificate
- Criminal Law, Justice & Inequality Certificate
Business & Entrepreneurship
How SCL prepares you for your success in the field:
Your SCL degree prepares you to respond to important questions in business and entrepreneurship, such as: What does it mean to want success in business—for myself and for the benefit of others? What kinds of thinking enable me to recognize opportunities? How can I develop the courage to take risks? What is the relationship, and what are the tensions, between democracy and a free economy?
Majors in SCL match well with these minor or certificate opportunities across campus:
- Elements of Business Certificate
- Business Foundations Minor
- Business and Public Policy Minor
- Professional Sales and Business Development
- National Security and International Business Minor
- Leadership in Global Sustainability Minor
- International Business Minor
- Risk Management Minor
- Entrepreneurship Minor
- Ethics & Leadership in Business Certificate
- Innovation, Creativity & Entrepreneurship Certificate
Science & Technology
How SCL prepares you for your success in the field:
Your SCL degree prepares you to respond to important questions in the science and technology fields, such as: What is the purpose of technology? How can I know what is true? How should I use technology to take risks and serve others?
Majors in SCL match well with these minor or certificate opportunities across campus:
- Programming and Computation Certificate
- Statistics and Data Science
- History and Philosophy of Science Certificate
Resources
Connect with Resources for Your Next Step
Texas Civic Leadership combines the freedom of an interdisciplinary education with intentional career discernment from your first semester through graduation.
Job Search Strategy
Support to launch your internship search, job search, and salary negotiation
Application Support
Help with resumes, cover letters, and applications to professional and graduate education opportunities
Interview & Networking Preparation
Mock interviews, networking strategies, and informational interview practice
Career Advising
Tailored sessions to discover career opportunities, build experience, and define your path
Internship for Credit Resources
FAQs
What career success does SCL offer students?
SCL's Career Success program connects students with internships, mentorship, and professional development opportunities tailored to civics, government, and Great Books-focused careers.
Do I need to be an SCL major to use Career Success resources?
Career Success programming is designed primarily for SCL students, though many resources and events are open to students across the university. Contact civics@utexas.edu with specific questions.
How do I find an internship through SCL?
SCL's career advising team helps students identify internships in government, law, policy, journalism, and nonprofit sectors. Reach out to schedule an advising appointment.
Does SCL help with graduate school or law school preparation?
Yes — SCL advisors can help students plan a path toward graduate study, including law school, by connecting coursework and experiences to application requirements.
More SCL
More Academic Programs
Explore more programs and find the right path for you.
Scholarships
Explore scholarships to help fund your studies.
Events
See the what's happening in the SCL intellectual community.
Applications
Apply now to join a community focused on service and social impact.