About Educational Opportunities
The Legislature provides a number of opportunities to citizens of the Commonwealth where they can be educated on, and partake of, the legislative process. These programs engage the public in a way that puts them in the middle of the process, providing a greater understanding of what the General Court does on a day-to-day basis, and how the public can become more involved.
Our Internship Program provides citizens (typically students pursuing an undergraduate degree or higher) an opportunity to gain practical work experience in the office of a State Senator, State Representative, or a Committee. Interns come from a wide variety of backgrounds, and gain a better understanding of public service and the legislative process in Massachusetts.
Student Government Day is an annual event, typically at the beginning of April. Around 400 high school students represent their schools at the State House where they are assigned roles and replicate the activities of Senators, Representatives, Supreme Court Justices, or Constitutional Officers to gain a better understanding of how the government of the Commonwealth operates.
The Citizens' Legislative Seminar is a two-day program that is offered twice per year (Spring and Fall). The program is run by the Massachusetts State Senate. It provides an in-depth look at how the Legislature runs from Legislators themselves. Citizens learn about everything from the history of the Legislature to how the budget is built each year.