Academic Credit & Grading Criteria

All undergraduate students must receive academic credit from their home universities in order to participate in the internship program. Academic credit is awarded by the home institution, not by The Washington Center. Graduate students wishing to receive credit facilitated by The Washington Center must enroll in one of the main internships programs (not the Postgraduate Professional Development Program).

Grades & EvaluationsThe following items will be sent to your designated liaison or campus sponsor:

• Internship Site Supervisor Midterm Evaluation
• Internship Site Supervisor Final Evaluation/Recommended Grade – based on performance at the internship
• Course Instructor Final Evaluation/Recommended Grade - based on performance in evening course
• Program Advisor Final Evaluation/Recommended Grade – based largely on portfolio requirements and attendance at required programming

Students with outstanding balances will have their grades withheld until the balance is paid. Reminder notices are not sent. Regardless of who is billed for the program or housing fees, it is the responsibility of the student to ensure payment reaches The Washington Center.

Early Grade RequestsGrades and evaluations are typically sent to each school three to six weeks after the end of the program. There is no way to determine, in advance, exactly when grades will arrive.

Students should check with their liaison or sponsor to determine if their grades need to arrive by a certain date. If that is the case, students should send the Early Grade Request Form [4] to their liaisons or sponsors. The completed form should be returned to Enrollment Services per the instructions on the form.

Registering for a Course

Course Assignments and Add/Drop OptionsThe course coordinator and director of academic affairs will determine the course assignments based upon final course enrollment. Courses with low enrollment will be dropped and students in those courses will be assigned to their other choices. 

Course assignments are generally announced about 5 days prior to arrival, at which time the drop/add process begins. You will receive an email giving you directions on how to access your course information on your Intern Connect profile. This message will also give you directions on how you can change your course during the drop/add period via email or in person.

Academic Policies

Course Enrollment You will receive an email from courses@twc.edu [19] when course registration opens for your term.  You will register your course preferences online by submitting five options for the course that you will take ranked in the order that you prefer them. You’ll be informed of your course placement via InternConnect shortly before you arrive.

Course Materials and FeesMany courses at The Washington Center do not require a standard textbook. Courses often utilize primary sources, online articles, instructor-provided readings, and other documents. Some faculty have prepared course packets that you may be required to purchase.

The cost of materials usually ranges from $60-$80. Some courses may have additional fees for admission to performances, special events, dinners, etc. If this is the case, instructors will inform you on the first day of class.

If cost is a major concern, please contact the course coordinator, courses@twc.edu [19], and inquire in advance about the fees or book expenses for a particular course.

AttendanceAttendance is mandatory and will be taken at each session. TWC is notified if a student misses two classes without explanation. If you are unable to attend class for a reason beyond your control, you must contact your instructor as soon as possible.

Students Receiving Financial AidStudents receiving financial assistance must complete the course to which they are assigned with a grade of “C” or better to remain eligible for financial assistance. Note: Students with a grade of less than a “C” in any component of the program forfeit their financial assistance and invoices will be adjusted accordingly.

Special Needs Students with special needs should inform The Washington Center’s disability coordinator prior to arrival so the necessary preparations can be made. Visit our Disability Services section [20] and email disabilityservices@twc.edu [21] for more information.

Early GradesGrades and evaluations are typically sent to each school three to six weeks after the end of the program. There is no way to determine, in advance, exactly when grades will arrive.

Students should check with their liaison or sponsor to determine if their grades need to arrive by a certain date. If that is the case, students should send the Early Grade Request Form [22] to their liaisons or sponsors. The completed form should be returned to Enrollment Services per the instructions on the form.

Incomplete Grades TWC strongly discourages students to request a grade of “I” (incomplete). However, if a student is unable to complete all assignments as a result of unforeseen circumstances then a written agreement between the student and instructor must be submitted with the final grade sheet. Incomplete agreements should include a final completion date that is no longer than six weeks past the end of the term/semester. A copy of such an agreement must be on file with the course coordinator for TWC to accept a temporary grade of “I.”

Important NoteStudents with outstanding balances will have their grades withheld until that balance is paid. Reminder notices are not sent. Regardless of who is billed for the program or housing fees, it is the responsibility of the student to ensure payment reaches The Washington Center.

Course Numbers and LevelsCourses are created to appeal to students who have at least two years of general education and the courses generally avoid prerequisites. Courses listed at the 2000 level are designed for students at the sophomore level or those participating in the Sophomore Exploration Program. The 3000 level courses are introductory or of general interest. The 4000 level courses are more in-depth, while 5000 level courses are for more advanced students with specific interests. Courses that end in the number 3 are designed to be worthy of three credit hours.

ConductSmoking, the consumption of alcoholic beverages, and eating are prohibited in classrooms and during class time.

Professional DressYou are strongly encouraged to dress professionally or appropriately at all programming events. For your courses, you should avoid shorts, jeans, short skirts, tank tops, flip flops, T-shirts or other overly casual attire. This applies to all classroom and TWC program activities, including those in the residential and academic center buildings.

Academic MisconductIncidents of misconduct may be reflected in a student’s final evaluation or grade and will be reported to the campus liaison or other college officials. This may result in expulsion from The Washington Center’s Internship Program or Academic Seminar.

Academic misconduct includes but is not limited to the following acts:

• Plagiarism: Plagiarism is a form of academic misconduct and is considered academic theft. Plagiarism occurs when someone copies or takes the intellectual work of another as one’s own, and fails to properly reference or provide attribution to the original author of the work. At The Washington Center, students are expected to submit original evaluations, essays, papers, and demonstrations, and to cite all appropriate sources of material that influences the work or contributes to its end. If requested, students should be prepared to provide original notes, previous drafts, or other materials to indicate original research or intellectual ownership of an assignment. If the thought, diagram, image, table, paper, photograph, or text is not original, meaning it did not originate from your own thinking or artistry, you must provide citation. If you are in doubt as to how to attribute the words and work of others, please be sure to consult your instructor!
• Cheating: The use of notes, books, or electronic devices when prohibited, the assistance of another student while completing a quiz or an exam, or the providing of information to another individual for this purpose, unless such collaboration is suggested by the course instructor.
• Falsification: The improper alteration of any record, document or evaluation.
• Obstruction: Behaving in a disruptive manner or participating in activities that interfere with the educational mission of The Washington Center at lectures, courses, meetings or other sponsored events.
• Absenteeism: The chronic failure to attend program components (including the internship, internship courses, or other scheduled activities) without a valid reason or prior notification.
• Any other act of academic dishonesty.

The Washington Center reserves the right to impose additional penalties, including expulsion from the program. A hearing regarding these charges may be held at the request of the student.

Since The Washington Center does not grant academic credit, the grade received in a course is only a recommended grade sent to the student’s campus liaison. Additional avenues of appeal may be available to a student on the home campus, depending upon how the campus liaison interprets The Washington Center’s associate faculty member’s grade.

Student GrievancesIf a student has a problem with the instructor, the course material, class format, or other aspects of the course, he/she should speak with the instructor first. If speaking with the instructor is not a possible course of action, or if the student chooses not to speak directly with the instructor, the student should speak with the course coordinator who will arrange a conference in consultation with the Director of Academic Affairs. If the student wishes to make a formal complaint, he/she must submit it in writing to the course coordinator, who will take any appropriate action.

FAQs

Do I have to take a course?All interns, whether they are receiving academic credit specifically for the course or not, are required to enroll in a Washington Center academic course. The only exception would be students in a specialized federal program. Remember that students receiving financial assistance from The Washington Center must obtain a grade of “C” or higher to qualify for that assistance.  

When will I know what course I can take?Watch for emails from courses@twc.edu [19]. These will let you know when the course guide will be available. You should have this about eight weeks before your term begins. The course guide will also be available here [23].

If I am in a quarter program (10 weeks), are my course choices similar to those in the summer term or semester programs?Generally, due to the smaller size of the group, those in the spring quarter program will have one course offering. Usually, a course that will have a broad appeal to students is offered.

For those in the summer quarter program, all term courses are available in order to give you the greatest number of choices. Even though you may begin a course that has already started, your instructor is aware of this and will work with you accordingly.  

Fall quarter students have the same choices as the fall semester students, but your obligation to the course is only for 10 weeks. Your instructor will work with you so you can finish the course early.

What time will my class be held?All classes begin at 6:30pm, though, if convenient for everyone, a professor may move the start time to 6:00pm so that it will be finished earlier. 

How often will I have class?Your class will meet once per week for three hours. 

Where will my course meet?The Washington Center courses will be offered in the Academic Center at the headquarters building (1333 16th St. NW) and at the Residential and Academic Facility (1005 3rd St. NE) or possibly at the D.C. offices of your instructor.

Do I need to buy textbooks?Not all courses require traditional textbooks. Some will use course packets, online materials, original source materials or other kinds of readings.

Do you provide computers or printing facilities to students?If your course is located in the Residential and Academic Facility you may use the technology provided for student use in the computer lab. Otherwise, it is the responsibility of the student to obtain appropriate access.

What happens if I want to change my course?You can change your course before you arrive by using the add/drop form [3], by emailing courses@twc.edu [19] with a list of 5 courses that you would prefer to change to, or in person at an add/drop session during orientation.