Washington Semester Program

The South Carolina Washington Semester Internship Program

The Washington Semester Program (WSP) gives eligible juniors and seniors in universities and colleges across South Carolina the opportunity to spend a semester working and taking classes in Washington DC, gaining valuable experience while earning academic credit toward their degrees. Students do not have to be political science majors to apply as the program is applicable for any major or career path. To see a listing of where WSP alumni are working now, check out job placement info here.

When: Each Fall and Spring semester

The application deadline for the Fall 2023 WSP is Sunday, March 5th at 11:00 pm EST. Select applicants will be invited to interview virtually for the program on Sunday, March 12. Orientation for Fall 2023 WSP will be held on Sunday, April 2.

More about the Program

In D.C., Washington Semester Program Fellows get firsthand experience with the political process, obtaining skills that will help prepare them for careers in virtually any sphere.  In the past, Washington Semester Program Fellows have attended important events, such as the inauguration ceremonies, White House arrival ceremonies for visiting head of states, joint sessions of Congress, and arguments before the Supreme Court. Recent seminars have featured meetings with White House personnel, the Deputy Attorney General, cabinet secretaries, senior TV network correspondents, lobbyists, embassy officials and other national leaders. Students meet interesting and influential people, establishing contacts for personal and professional networking.  Students also have time to tour the monuments, explore the museums, and experience the international flavor of our nation’s capital.

Curriculum

All students enroll in three courses for a total of 15 honors credits. Each course is designed specifically for Washington Semester Program Fellows and stresses experiential, hands-on learning.

  • SCHC 498: Honors Internship (9 credits).  Fellows work full-time — usually 40 hours per week. Students also are expected to participate in a range of activities designed to help them experience DC. Activities may include a Nationals baseball game, a live taping of a CNN program, performing arts events, museum visits, and meetings with important political and media leaders. Students are asked to reflect on these experiences through a series of seminars and blog entries. Note: This course can be used to satisfy the Honors Immersed requirement. 
  • SCHC 458: Experiencing Theatre in Washington, DC- Honors (3 credits).  Washington, DC is second only to New York as a theatre market in the United States. For this course, students attend professional theatre productions in DC and meet working theatre professionals to learn what happens “behind the scenes.” Students respond to the productions with short reviews and seminar discussions.
  • SCHC 433: Contemporary Washington Issues- Honors (3 credits).  Students attend seminars designed to deepen their knowledge of politics and current events. Students also use the resources available to them in Washington to execute a research project of their design.

For More Information Including Application Details

Please visit the program website for more information.