Spend a semester or summer in our nation’s capital! Washington, D.C. is a vibrant, exciting, cosmopolitan city where people are always on the go and there is always something happening. Washington D.C. is an easy city to get around by metro, bus, bike, or walking! Each quarter of the city - NW, NE, SE, SW - has its own personality, feel, and offerings to explore, with the Capitol right at the heart of the city. Take in the monuments, stroll down the National Mall, visit the many free Smithsonian museums, catch a show at the Kennedy Center, and experience the culture of D.C. You’re semester or summer in D.C. will be filled with politics, media and journalism, the arts, culture, and friends and memories that will last a lifetime.
In addition to the experience of living in a new city, are you looking for the opportunity to find your passion and define your career path?
The Washington Center’s Academic Internship Program is an intensive professional and academic experience in which students live, work, and study in Washington, D.C. Our nation’s capital offers students of all majors and interests opportunities to have transformative internship experiences. D.C. is an international hub and full of businesses and nonprofit organizations, in addition to being the center of government, politics, and policy. This makes D.C. the perfect atmosphere to explore the interconnectedness of diverse fields and have the opportunity to gain experience working in one of the most important and high-profile cities in the country.
Program Components
Internship
TWC partners with over
400 internship sites in D.C. and across the county, and works with you one-on-one to land the internship that's right for you. Once you begin your internship, you'll be working on projects related to your interests with a supervisor who cares about your growth and success.
Academic Course
One night a week, you'll take part in one of TWC's courses. You'll be able to choose a course that suits you from a
wide range of options related to your major or you can try something new. Through this course you'll gain access to faculty members who not only work as professors, but often as professionals in their fields.
Career Readiness Programming
TWC's career readiness programming is a mix of professional development workshops, career exploration sessions, networking events and one-on-one advising designed to help you maximize your internship experience and come away with a plan for your next step. You can participate in many
different activities based on your interest and your schedule.
Housing
The Washington Center’s Residential and Academic Facility (RAF) is centrally located in NoMa, one of the coolest and 'most connected' neighborhoods in D.C. You'll be in the middle of it all with easy access wherever you need to go. The RAF offers apartment-style living - most apartments are two-bedroom, two-bath that are shared between four interns. The community you become a part of is one of the best things about The Washington Center. You never know what will spark a conversation that turns a roommate from halfway around the globe to a lifelong friend. The RAF is more than just a place to eat and sleep — it’s also TWC’s primary academic building.
Eligibility
To be eligible to participate in this program, you must meet the following criteria:
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Be a sophomore or above while participating in the program and have completed at least two semesters on campus by the start of our program.
- Maintain a grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale.
Academic Credit at Denison
Semester
The total semester credit for The Washington Center is fifteen credits. Students receive nine elective credits for the internship, three elective credits for the Career Readiness Programming, and an additional three credits for the evening academic course. The evening academic course has the potential to fulfill a major, minor, or general education course requirement subject to the approval of the appropriate Faculty Chair and/or the Registrar.
Summer
Total credit for The Washington Center summer program amounts to 10 credits. Students receive six elective credits for the internship, and two credits each for the academic course and Career Readiness Programming.
State Funding
Semester applicants are eligible to receive $2,300 in state funding toward their participation. Summer applicants are eligible to receive $4,000 in state funding. See the program website for additional details.
