The Center administers four fellowship programs. For a description of each program and application materials, please click on the links below:
These programs, known collectively as the Capital Fellows Programs, are nationally recognized. The 18 Assembly Fellows, 18 Senate Fellows, 18 Executive Fellows and 10 Judicial Administration Fellows receive an outstanding opportunity to engage in public service and prepare for future careers, while actively contributing to the development and implementation of public policy in California. The ranks of former fellows include a Justice of the California Supreme Court, members of the United States Congress and the State Legislature, a deputy director of the Peace Corps, state and local government officials, corporate executives and community leaders.
Fellows in each program work for 10 - 11 months, receive health benefits and a monthly stipend of $2,794 and are employees of Sacramento State. They work as full-time members of a legislative, executive, or judicial branch office, and are typically given assignments with a significant amount of responsibility and challenges. Fellows also enroll as graduate students at Sacramento State and receive graduate units from the Sacramento State Government Department or Public Policy and Administration Program. The enrollment fees are paid by the programs.
Fellows are selected in the spring and start their programs in fall with an intensive orientation conducted by the program, after which they interview with various offices before being placed. They attend weekly graduate seminars conducted by their program's academic advisors.
The Center also administers the Federal-State Relations Fellowship which places a Capital Fellow with the California Institute for Federal Policy Research in Washington, DC the year following his/her fellowship year.
Specific Eligibility Requirements
The selection process for the fellows programs starts in the late fall when the application period opens. Anyone with a bachelor's degree by September 1, of the fellowship year and a demonstrated interest in state government and public service is eligible to apply. There are no preferred majors. Applicants must be 20 years of age by September 1 of the fellowship year. Graduate, postgraduate and mid-career applicants are welcome. Non-U.S. citizens must provide proof of appropriate immigration status. The Capital Fellows Programs do not meet the requirements for F-1 or J-1 visas.