Inside Washington is designed to give students the opportunity to gain and apply their academic knowledge in a participatory learning setting. The seminar is taught as a course, with two weeks equivalent to 3-4 credit hours (or 1-2 credits for a one week seminar).

Faculty leaders complete a written evaluation and recommend a grade that is sent to each student's home institution. Evaluation is based upon attendance, participation in large and small group sessions, completion of assigned readings, quality of written assignments (structured journal and essay), and demonstrated effort to achieve established academic and professional learning objectives commensurate with each student's level.

Actual credit and grades are awarded by a student's home institution through each campus/faculty liaison. The Washington Center does not grant academic credit.