The Washington Center Stands Apart
The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars is the largest, independent, nonprofit experiential education organizations in the United States. It offers an integrated academic and work experience in preparing university and college students and professionals for lives of achievement and civic engagement.
For 35 years, The Washington Center has helped more than 44,000 motivated college students connect with companies, organizations, congressional offices and federal agencies that exemplify the values of leadership and community service.
Students at The Washington Center come from a wide variety of social backgrounds, academic institutions, and geographic locations. They represent some of the best and brightest young minds in both public and private institutions in the U.S. and around the world. Students must be enrolled in an accredited college or university and be sophomores, juniors or seniors, or be recent graduates or graduate students. The average GPA of TWC’s students is 3.3; applicants must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.75 to be considered.
The Student Experience in Brief
At The Washington Center, students live, work and study in our nation’s capital or in other countries. The internship program is more than a place to work, it is a well-rounded learning experience that develops practical skills, hones students’ interests, and opens young minds to a world of diversity and opportunity. TWC’s program is comprised of the student’s work, a rigorous academic course, and the Leadership Forum.
The Internship
- Students work in their internship for 32 to 36 hours each week.
- Interns are placed across all sectors including private companies, government agencies or Congressional offices, nonprofits, and international organizations.
- Interns spend at least 80% of the time on substantive, non-clerical work.
Academic Coursework
- Students are enrolled in programs suited to their majors and professional interests. All majors are welcome at TWC.
- Everyone participates in one of 35 academic courses.
- Each course is designed to be worthy of academic credit; professors are experienced academics or experts in their fields.
The Leadership Forum
- Students take part in special programming each Monday that enhances their internship experience and academic studies. Included are the Alan K. Simpson - Norman Y. Mineta Leaders Series and a variety of other events, workshops, interviews, seminars and insiders’ tours of Washington institutions.
- Students participate in the Public Policy Dialogues on Capitol Hill, which allows them to interact with Capitol Hill policymakers, including Members of Congress and/or their staffs in small intimate meetings where they gain an in-depth, firsthand perspective of Congress, policy and politics.
- Students will work on a civic engagement project and complete a portfolio that outlines their work in D.C.
Beyond the academic programming and work experience, students gain invaluable life experience living in Washington, D.C. Housing is provided in conveniently located, fully furnished apartment units in secured-access buildings.
