SPIA | Washington Semester

We regret to announce that the
Washington Semester will not be offered summer 2009.
Please check our site in the mid-Fall 2009 term for information about the summer 2010 program.

Washington Semester Program
Summer 2008

(last update: 3-28-08)

Located in Old Town Alexandria, the Washington Semester is an eleven-week summer program that provides students the opportunity to acquire professional experience in a governmental agency or other relevant enterprise in the private or nonprofit sector. Washington Semester Fellows will attend seminars that enable them to understand their internship from a range of analytical perspectives. While the program is open to all majors, it is of special relevance for students with career interests in politics, public management, public policy, law, or the nonprofit or for-profit sectors. Students receive twelve hours of academic credit for the program.

Summer 2008 Program
Check-in May 18
Internships begin May 19
1st class on May 21
Program ends August 1

On-Campus Information Sessions
Information sessions are completed. If you have questions: email spia@vt.edu or call 231-2291.

Application Deadline
February 29, 2008
(You need not attend an information session to apply)
print an application...

Internships:

All students are placed in an internship with a public or nonprofit organization that requires 30 hours of work per week. Placements are based on each student's interests and professional goals. The internship experience provides a platform for linking seminar discussions and readings to broader issues of management and policy. The emphasis placed on incorporating both theory and practice sets the Virginia Tech Washington Semester program apart from other Washington internship programs.

Examples of previous internship placements:

U.S. House of Representatives U.S. Senate U.S. Information Agency Government Accountability Office HUD EPA Catholic Charities, USA	American Red Cross - International Division Human Rights Watch InterAction City of Alexandria County of Arlington World Resources Institute

Costs:

Tuition & Fees: Summer 2008 rates (*In-state rate includes tuition, academic fee, technology fee; **Out-of-state rate includes the in-state rate plus out-of-state tuition and out-of-state capital fee). The summer 2008 rates may be found at: http://www.bursar.vt.edu/tuition/2008_summer.php).

In-state*	Out-of-State**	Other Student Fees	Program Fee	WAAC Activity Fee
$1396.50	$3982.75	none if submit waiver form	$100.00	$50.00

Since the program is off campus, you will not need to pay university on-campus fees, but you will be charged for these fees. To have these fees waived, please submit a comprehensive fee waiver form to your department head.

Housing Costs: 2008 rates (may be subject to change). For those living in the Gallery Apartments in Alexandria, payment is due upon arrival. If any changes are made, students will be expected to honor the new rates.

2008 Rates	Two-Person	Three-Person	Four-Person	Parking Fee
For Summer (2 3/4 months)	$1389.15 each	$1,212.75 each	$992.25 each	$135.00
Deposit	$400.00 each	$400.00 each	$400.00 each	N/A

Your food, entertainment, and transportation costs will vary depending on your preferences. The Gallery Apartments do have kitchens. Here's an idea of what's provided and what you should bring. The Gallery and the Alexandria Center are within six blocks of the King Street Metro Station in the heart of Old Town Alexandria.

Curriculum:

Students enroll for four courses for the 1st summer session:
PSCI 4314 - Senior Seminar in Political Institutions
UAP/PSCI 4624 - The Washington Semester: Seminar in Politics and Public Policy
UAP/PSCI 4644 - The Washington Semester: Politics, Policy and Administration in a Democracy
UAP 4964 - Field Study - OR - PSCI 4754 - Internship

This 12-hour program is an overload for 1st summer session. Each student must get permission from his/her Dean's office to add the overload hours.

The Washington Semester program is designed as an integrative whole and must be taken in its entirety during the first summer session.

Eligibility:

The Washington Semester is open to all undergraduate students, regardless of major, who have earned a minimum of 60 credits and are in good academic standing.

Application:

You may print a copy here. The maximum enrollment in the program is 18 students.
Submit applications to Krystal Wright, 110 Architecture Annex. Please ask your references to provide letters by the due date (either by email to spia@vt.edu or by campus mail to mail code 0113).
Application deadline: February 29, 2008.

For more information contact:

Anne Khademian, Instructor, 703-706-8119, akhademi@vt.edu
Pam Newby, Internship Coordinator, panewby@vt.edu
Beth Offenbacker, Teaching Assistant, beth@waterfordinc.com
Krystal Wright, Administrative Assistant, 231-2291, spia@vt.edu