Washington, D.C. Semester, Leadership through Policy & Governance (WSLG)
APPLY FOR SUMMER 2024!
- 6 credit internship
- 3 credit policy seminar
Application Deadline: February 18, 2024
This Washington Semester in Leadership and Governance (WSLG) is a 9-credit summer program for undergraduates that combines a 10-week Washington, D.C.-area internship, policy seminar, and field study experiences immersing participants in the world of policymakers, public servants, beltway bandits, and others who make the D.C. area a unique place to work and live.
In consultation with program faculty and staff, Washington Semester students identify, secure, and complete 10-week summer internships. Washington Semester internship coordinators will work with students to identify Washington, DDC internship options, and in some cases, will refer students to potential internship sites, as well as advise on how to apply. While the internship coordinators help students determine internship opportunities, the Washington Semester does not guarantee placement in an internship. Students determine the internship opportunity they would like based on their personal, political, academic, or career interests and take the necessary steps to apply to the various institutes offering internship opportunities.
An internship agreement detailing responsibilities, expectations, and objectives relative to student learning or skill development is prepared and signed by the intern, onsite supervisor, and Washington Semester internship coordinator. In general, the internship experience should be consistent with the student’s professional goals, related to the major program of study, and integrated into the full range of activities and responsibilities of the organization. Supervisors complete two evaluation forms, one midway through the program and one at the conclusion of the internship.
Internships offer students opportunities to engage in the policy making world and gain valuable work experience. Washington Semester internship coordinators support students identifying, applying-for, and completing internships. Examples of previous internship placements among many others:
- Arlington County
- Catholic Charities USA
- City of Alexandria
- Housing & Urban Development (HUD)
- State Department
- Treasury Department
- District of Columbia
- Ecologic Institute
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
- Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
- Government Accountability Office (GAO)
- Human Rights Watch
- National Endowment for Democracy
- National Security Archive
- U.S. House of Representatives
- U.S. Senate
- Urban Institute
- Voice of America (VoA)
- World Resources Institute
Summer Washington Semester students participate in a policy seminar, UAP/PSCI 4644 (3 credits), that meets weekly on Friday’s 9am-3pm The policy seminar bridges classroom learning about policy evidence and separated powers with field study experiences exploring the Washington, D.C. area. The classroom seminar is organized around three modules:
- Module 1 - Constructing Evidence in Policy Debate explores processes for creating, communicating, and consuming quantitative and visual evidence in policy debate.
- Module 2 - Policy Evidence and Collaborative Governance explores specific policy issues as a case studies of advocacy, collaboration, and public problem-solving in context.
- Module 3 - Final Policy Briefings focuses on the development and delivery of a short briefing examining a policy problem, project, or proposal.
Evaluation of coursework is based on participation, a series of written memos, participant briefings, and a regular student journal reflecting on course themes and experiences.
Washington semester participants also help lead a series of unique Washington, D.C. area experiences, engaging with policy professionals, touring Pennsylvania Avenue, Capitol Hill, Rock Creek Park, Old Town Alexandria, and exploring D.C.-area neighborhoods like Ballston, VA to Petworth, D.C. Participants reflect on field study experiences through student-organized debriefings and written journal narratives.
Contacts
Matthew Dull
mdull@vt.edu
Location
Washington D.C.
900 N. Glebe Road, 6th Floor VTRC
Arlington, VA 22203