The Washington, D.C. program offers students the opportunity to spend 10 weeks studying and interning in one of the world’s most important capital cities. Although known primarily as the capital city of American politics, Washington, D.C., plays a pivotal role, both nationally and internationally, in business, law, the sciences, media, and the arts. The program offers students the opportunity to focus on leadership, public policy, and agenda setting in their own area of interest. Students enroll in one course and participate in a professional internship.
Requirements & Considerations
- Priority will be given to juniors and seniors
- Admissions requirements for all programs
Curriculum
Required Course
Students enroll in one of the following courses. Course availability is subject to adequate enrollment. Students will indicate course preferences shortly after admission.
Required Course List
- CAS HI 281/PO 201/IR 356 American Governance: Foreign Affairs (4 credits)
- Overview of American presidencies of the late twentieth century, specifically considering how politics relates to foreign policy in America. Concepts including isolationism, manifest destiny, moralism, rule of law, national self-interest, and terrorism are discussed. Special focus on Iraq and Afghanistan.
- Syllabus
- CAS HI 327/CAS PO 204 The Modern US Senate: From Collaboration to Confrontation (4 cr)
- Examines the history of the US Senate with a special focus on increasing partisanship since WWII. Addresses major policy issues and landmark pieces of legislation as well as the lives and legacies of prominent individual Senators. Includes guest lecturers.
- Syllabus
- CAS IR 338 Conflict, Violence and Peacebuilding (4)
- This course introduces the field of peacebuilding and conflict and examines its various facets to equip students to analyze the social and political dynamics of peace and conflict. Students will learn about the basics of the field, the importance of conflict analysis, and the options for nonviolent responses to prevent and resolve conflicts and ensure sustainable post-conflict transformation. The last part of the course will offer students an opportunity to simulate real-world conflict negotiations and problem-solving efforts experienced by policy makers involved in conflict resolution. There are no prerequisites for the course but the ideal student will have an interest and background in international relations and be a keen follower of current affairs.
- Syllabus
- CAS IR 391/PO 246 Democratization: Its History and Future Challenges (4)
- Comparative perspective on the history of democracy and democratization. Explores conditions, catalysts, and processes of democratic change with a focus on current trends in the democratization debate. Special focus on Iran as a case study.
- Syllabus
- CAS PO 203/COM CM 556 Strategies for Issue Development and Policy Change (4)
- Focuses on the specialized forms of communication that political professionals use to win public support for their issues, candidates, and policy positions; and teaches concrete planning skills for those interested in influencing public policy using both inside and outside (or grassroots) strategies.
- Syllabus
- QST QM 221 Probabilistic and Statistical Decision Making for Management (4)
- This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas:
- Quantitative Reasoning I
- Sophomore requirement.
- Please note: Students may not receive credit for both QST QM 221 and CAS EC 305.
- Exposes students to the fundamentals of probability, decision analysis, and statistics, and their application to business. Topics include probability, decision analysis, distributions, sampling, estimation, hypothesis testing, and chi-square.
- This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas:
Internship Areas
The Washington, D.C. Internship Program provides internship opportunities in almost every discipline, and students from all fields are encouraged to apply. All students are interviewed by the program director and staff who guide students in their internship placements based on academic training, previous work experience, intellectual objectives, and unique Washington, D.C., opportunities.
Past placements have included Congressional offices, the Department of Justice, the Heritage Foundation, the Sierra Club, the Smithsonian Institution, People for the American Way, public affairs offices, and advertising agencies.
Internship Courses
Students enroll in a four-credit internship placement. Course numbers depend on the field of specialization in which the students complete their internships. Placements are contingent upon the students’ past experiences, professional interests, and relevant academic history, as well as the availability of opportunities in any given semester; flexibility is essential. Course numbers depend on the field of specialization in which the students complete their internships. The Internship Course, also known as "The Washington Experience," meets weekly and is intended to complement the internship experience by helping students understand Washington culture and hot-button topics in the nation's capital while grooming them for the possibilities of a career in Washington.
- CAS AH 505 Internship in Arts/Architecture
- CAS EC 497 Internship in Business/Economics
- CAS EE 404 Internship in Energy/Environmental Policy
- CAS PO 400 The Washington Internship
- CAS PO 401/IR 451 Internship in Politics
- CAS PO 403 Internship in Comparative Law
- CAS PO 405/IR 455 Internship in International Organizations
- COM JO 411 Internship in Journalism
- CAS PS 495 Internship in Health/Human Services
- COM CM 471 Internship in Advertising/Public Relations
- COM FT 493/494 Internship in Film/Television
- SAR HS 405 Health Sciences Practicum (4 credits)
- SHA HF 390 Field Placement in Hospitality Administration
Housing & Student Services
- Students live in apartments, sharing kitchens, bathrooms, and living areas.
- Bedrooms are double occupancy.
- Singles are available on a space-available basis for a supplemental fee.
- The apartments are centrally located, near a DC metro stop.
- Board is not included. However, there are many nearby grocery stores and restaurants.
- The apartments have wireless internet and onsite laundry facilities.
Program Dates
- Summer Term: Late May to early August
Application Deadlines
- Summer Term: March 1
- Summer internships in Washington are extremely competitive. Students are encouraged to submit their applications for the program prior to the application deadline. Every effort will be made to help place students in internships that meet their academic interests, but students who apply after the March 1 deadline cannot be guaranteed a choice of internship and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
This program is rolling admissions; applications are reviewed once all application materials are received, prior to all deadlines. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that all required materials are received by the BU Study Abroad office. Students are encouraged to apply as early as possible as some programs and internship tracks have limited space and may fill up before the deadline. Submitting a complete application prior to the application deadline, does not guarantee acceptance. Students will be emailed an admissions decision within three weeks of a completed application.
Information for BU Students Awaiting an Admissions Decision and exceptions to the standard admission calendar for all students can be found here.
Cost & Financial Considerations
- Summer 2022 Tuition & Fees: $9,400
Cost includes tuition, housing, and field trips. - Estimated program budget, including cost of living expenses for Summer 2022.
- Grants and Scholarships available.
