The minimum criteria for this two-semester program is as follows:
- A minimum cumulative UMD GPA of 3.0
- Junior standing (minimum of 60 credits) by the end of the Fall 2023 semester
- A grade of B- or better in any writing courses taken at UMD
- Registered UMD student in both Fall 2023 and Spring 2024 semesters
Many program alums have stated the MGA program offers the best internship opportunity at UMD. Interns serve at the MGA for 16-20 hours per week during the spring legislative session (January-April 2024). Their assignments develop invaluable professional skills. In previous sessions, interns researched proposed legislation, responded to constituent mail, organized news conferences, and wrote and delivered testimony. The internship portion of the course sequence (ENGL388M/HONR379W) conveys six credits.
In the preceding fall semester, students will take a three-credit course (ENGL381/HONR368A) which teaches students the skills that the internship will require. In addition, students learn about the MGA and Maryland state politics.
ENGL 381 satisfies the Fundamental Studies Professional Writing Requirement for the General Education requirements, and ENGL 388M satisfies one Scholarship in Practice requirement. These courses are also applicable to the English major, Professional Writing minor, and Rhetoric minor.
Benefits of participating in the program:
- Earn a total of nine upper level credits
- Complete the university’s Professional Writing graduation requirement
- Satisfy one of the university’s two required Scholarship in Practice courses, at least one of which must be taken outside of your major
- Receive a minimum of $850 as a stipend to help defray travel expenses
- Receive a pass for free parking in the Naval Academy stadium parking lot
- Serve as an undergraduate ambassador to the state government
Click here to read a Maryland Today article about previous MGA interns.
Click here to find full information about the program.
To apply, just download an application from the website. You will need to submit the completed application along with two recommendations ASAP to receive full consideration. The application deadline for your portion of the application is Friday, March 31, 2023. (Recommendations may arrive shortly thereafter if necessary.) After that, applications will be accepted on a rolling basis ONLY if space in the class is still available.
If you have additional questions about the program, please feel free to contact Karen Lewis at lewiske@umd.edu.
