Georgetown University’s Semester in Washington Program (SWP) offers undergraduate students a unique opportunity to spend an exciting semester as an intern in the nation’s capital, while living and studying on the campus of one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the United States. Students gain valuable practical work experience to be competitive in today’s job market. At the same time, students enrich their academic credentials with undergraduate credits from Georgetown University.
The Semester in Washington at Georgetown University is a small, selective, experiential program consistent with the University’s high academic standards. Overall program size is limited to ensure small classes, personal attention, and academic rigor.
Georgetown University offers the Semester in Washington Program in five academic areas:
American Politics and Public Affairs
- Health Care Administration and Policy
- International Affairs
- Law and Society
- Religion and Politics
Each of those academic areas offers students three components:
- Academic Seminar
- Internship
- Research Seminar
In the spring semester, students can earn between 12 and 15 credits. The spring program is for full-time students only. In the summer, students can earn a total of 3 or 6 credits.
SWP Course Components
Academic Seminar
In the academic seminar, students learn from assigned readings, lectures, and discussion groups that are unique to their program of study. They also participate in discussions with elected officials, policy-makers, and practitioners in the private and public sectors. The incorporation of leadership, ethics, and social justice are at the forefront of the SWP academic seminar.
Internship/Internship Class
SWP students spend several days per week in an internship in the metro DC area and take the accompanying internship class. In the internship, students immerse themselves in a professional experience in a federal agency, an organization in the private sector, a lobbying organization, law firm, media outlet, public relations firm, public policy organization, or on Capitol Hill. Additionally, students reach beyond their work in their selected organizations in the accompanying internship class, where they reflect on the ethical and leadership implications of their internships and the role that their work can have on larger society.
Research Seminar
The Semester in Washington research seminar is a guided, independent research project offered exclusively to SWP students. Students in the research seminar produce an original research paper that focuses on a topic from their content area and infuse concepts of applied ethics, leadership, or social justice into their work.
For more information on the course components, including course descriptions and syllabi, please visit the individual program pages.
