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The Washington University Semester in D.C. Program

The Washington University DC Programs are open to students from all schools at Washington University.  However, the information on this page relates only to undergraduate students in Arts and Sciences.

The Washington University Semester in D.C. Program will introduce students to the workings of our nation’s capital through formal coursework, an internship, a speaker series, as well as group activities.  The academic program is designed to introduce students to major actors in national and international affairs, to gain knowledge of national policy-making processes, as well as acquire familiarity with major policy domains.  Students will live in a secure facility with peers from other nationally renowned universities, and will benefit from the academic mentorship of a full-time WU onsite director.  Tuition covers 12 to 15 academic units and students are responsible for paying for their own housing, food, travel, and other living expenses.


Program Details

Internship or Directed Research/Fieldwork

A core component of this program is an internship in Washington DC.  With the assistance of the director, students will secure a four-day-per-week internship that relates to their career goals.  Internships are available in business, nonprofit, government, law, and several other sectors.  Internship will earn 6 credits and will be evaluated by the internship supervisor and the WU director. In lieu of an internship, a student may choose a directed research or fieldwork project with a faculty advisor. 

Courses

 All students in the DC program will enroll in the Seminar on American Democracy and the Policy Making Process (3 credits).  This course will address the major issues and features of the domestic and foreign policy making processes in the United States.  In addition to the seminar, students will attend a 1 credit Washington University Colloquium which features sessions led by important figures in the fields of government, science, and the arts.  Students will also take an elective course (3 credits) offered by the group of universities at the UCDC facility (U. of Michigan, Berkeley, U. of Pennsylvania, UC-Merced).  These can range from political science to international development and your course selection must be approved by the program’s faculty advisor.  Finally, students will have the option to write a 2 credit independent research paper while in D.C if they have a particular theme they would like to explore in depth and if they wish to reach the average WU per term enrollment of 15 credits.  For political science students, the American Democracy Seminar will not count against the transfer credit limit in the major, nor will certain elective courses.

Program Location

Students will be housed in the University of California facility located on Rhode Island Avenue—just moments away from Dupont Circle.  This central location will allow students convenient access to the DC metro system to travel to and from internships.  The Washington University D.C. program’s headquarters is located only a few blocks away in the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace building on Massachusetts Avenue.  Here, students will be able to confer with the program’s director and attend speakers and other special events.

Outside the Classroom

Under the supervision of the director, students will have the opportunity to explore Washington DC.  Planned excursions will range from historic landmarks to world-renowned museums.

Cost      

Students will be charged tuition equivalent to the on-campus Washington University tuition fee. WU tuition covers only the academic portion of the program, so the WU student health insurance, housing, transportation, food, and other living expenses will be covered by the students.   Any WU financial aid will apply towards the semester in DC.  Housing in the DC facility will cost approximately $4120 for the term.  Students are housed in four-person apartments including kitchen facilities.  Average living expenses for a semester in DC are estimated at $1900, including food. 


Summer in DC Program

We offer a condensed summer DC experience for students who cannot fit a fall or spring semester in DC in their schedules.  Summer participants earn three to six credits: Students enrolling in six credits take American Democracy and the Policy Making Process (L32 4001, the same course as is offered in the semester program) for three credits and earn three credits of pass/fail internship credit (L43 2993).  Students enrolling in the three credit option must take the American Democracy core course and may pursue an internship independently (not for credit). 

Both options include housing in a double room at the University of California’s DC Center and access to the program of extracurricular activities planned for Washington University students. These activities will include trips to museums and performances, as well as social gatherings at the WashU suite a very short walk from UCDC.

Students earning credit for their summer internship through the Summer in DC Program intern five days a week.  Students work full time three days a week and split their time between class and internship work the other two days.

Participants enrolling in six credits arrange their own internships with very substantial guidance and assistance from both the Director of Washington, DC Programs and the Career Center staff.   

Summer 2012 Dates and Costs

Move in day is June 10, 2012. The last day to move out is August 18th, 2012. The American Democracy core course ends on July 28th. Students may move out any time between July 28th and August 18th, allowing for flexibility in the length of students' internships.

Six credits: $5,250 Program Fee + $2, 800 Housing*
Three credits: $3,150 Program Fee + $2,800 Housing*

*Housing costs are approximate. Final housing costs will be finalized soon and will be posted here when they are available.

To Apply

Arts and Sciences has switched to a new web-based platform for applications to study abroad-type programs.  Some parts of your application will be submitted directly via the application website, while other parts will need to be downloaded and submitted as a hard copy.  The DC Semester and Summer Program applications consist of 1) Personal Information, 2) Essay Questions, 3) Study Plan, and 4) two letters of reference (a minimum of one letter must be from an academic reference). To start your online application for the DC Program (semester or summer), please click here: http://sa.wustl.edu/.    To view a sample application before starting the online application process, please click here. For more information, please contact the Overseas Programs office at (314) 935-5958. 

 Summer 2012 applications are due Febuary 15, 2012 and Fall 2012 applicatios are due Febraury 1, 2012.  Spring 2013 applications are due May 1, 2012. There is limited space for Washington University students, so you may not be guaranteed a spot in this program.

 

For More Information

Washington University DC Programs' official website

The Washington University Semester in D.C. Program Handbook

Other Students

If you are not in the school of Arts and Sciences, then these policies may not apply to you.  If you have questions about how the program looks in other Washington University schools, please contact the following adminsitrators: