Washington Semester Program

Work, study, and live in Washington, D.C.

The Baylor in Washington Semester Program provides students with a unique experiential learning and professional development opportunity. Through internship service, academic rigor, and thoughtful research, Semester Program students will enjoy and profit from this unique opportunity to experience Washington, D.C. in community with other Baylor students. See below to learn about students' internships, credits and coursework, program costs, housing, professional development opportunities, and office space.

Internships

Students in the Washington Semester Program work full-time at diverse internships around D.C. Our students are often in some of the most competitive internships in Washington, including the White House, the U.S. State Department, the Supreme Court, and internships on Capitol Hill. There are excellent opportunities for students available in government, the arts, research, event planning, professional writing, consulting, non-profit work, journalism, and advocacy.

Program Credits Earned and Requirements Potentially Fulfilled

Program Credits

Students in the Washington Semester Program will receive 12-15 credit hours through provided program coursework. 

All participants in the program are required to enroll in two courses, for a total of twelve hours: PSC 3992 Baylor in Washington Semester Internship and PSC 3309 Baylor in Washington Public Policy Innovation and the Common Good. An optional three credit course (PSC 4390 Reading Course in Political Science) is also available. Course descriptions for this program of study are provided below. 

Possible Degree Requirements Fulfilled Through the Program

Note: all students who wish to participate in Baylor in Washington are required to consult with their assigned academic advisor to discuss how participating in this program will contribute toward completion of their degree requirements. Plan to discuss this with your advisor as part of your academic advising appointment, or if that meeting has already occurred, reach out to your advisor by email.

Minor in Political Science

Students who enroll in all 15 hours provided through the Washington Semester Program will be three credits away from a minor in Political Science. Because most degrees at Baylor University have PSC 1387 as a Core requirement, this means you can earn a PSC minor through the combination of the courses in this program and your Core course.

College of Arts & Sciences Core Requirements

Students who are enrolled in the College of Arts & Sciences can potentially fulfill two Core requirements through their participation in this program. PSC 3992 fulfills the Engaged Learning requirement, and PSC 3309 fulfills the Contemporary Social Issues requirement.

Potential for Honors Credit

Honors students enrolled in PSC 4390 have the option to complete an additional Honors Contract assignment. Students interested in this option should start by consulting their Honors Program Advisor to discuss whether they need this credit. If so, then the student should discuss their proposed project with the instructor of PSC 4390 no later than the end of the first week of the semester they are enrolled in the Washington Program. See also the FAQ section below regarding this course and the Honors thesis.

Coursework Provided Through Baylor in Washington

Two Required Courses

1. PSC 3992 Baylor in Washington Semester Internship - 9 Credit Hours*

Overview: Each semester program student will complete an internship in Washington, D.C. in the field of their choice. The program structure allows students to work nearly full-time in their internship, which increases their chances of securing some of the most competitive internships.

*A cross-list in Communication (CSS) is pending for the 2026-2027 Catalog. Students in other disciplines (e.g., Business, Journalism, Professional Writing & Rhetoric) may have the option to earn credit through their major. Please contact Washington@baylor.edu and your academic advisor with any questions about possible alternative internship course listings.

2. PSC 3309 Baylor in Washington Public Policy Innovation and the Common Good - 3 credit hours

Overview: This speaker-series seminar course explores contemporary topics in public policy from both a theoretical and practical perspective. The course meets one evening each week and features guest lectures by experts in various fields of public policy and public service. Students prepare readings and questions in advance for the speakers and benefit from learning about a wide array of topics and experiences. Past speakers have included federal judges, think tank experts, diplomats, lobbyists, lawyers, and businesspeople. Past topics have included AI, contemporary foreign conflicts, polling, food insecurity, homelessness, and many more. 

One Optional Course

PSC 4390 Directed Reading - Baylor in Washington Research Project - 3 Credit Hours

Overview: Students enrolling in this course complete an independent research project on a topic of their choice during their time in Washington. Not only will students have access to Washington's wealth of resources to aid in their work, but upon completion of the project, each student will have produced a high-quality writing sample to be used for future applications to law school, graduate school, or for employment. 

Responses to Frequently Asked Questions

Q: I need other credits besides the ones offered through the program to fulfill my degree requirements. What other options are available?

A: Students who do not wish to enroll in the optional course (PSC 4390) are permitted to enroll in online, asynchronous courses hours offered through other departments at Baylor University. However, the availability of online, asynchronous courses through Baylor is not guaranteed. For potential available asynchronous courses, consult the Baylor Registrar’s Schedule of Classes page; course listings are typically published in mid-March for the fall semester and mid-October for the spring semester. Because you will be working nearly full-time in your internship and will have some required evening program commitments, you may not enroll in online, synchronous courses.

Q: May I enroll in in-person or online courses through another university such as a campus local to Washington, D.C. during the semester program?

A. No. Under Baylor University policy, you may not be concurrently enrolled at another institution during the fall or spring semesters.

Q: May I enroll in more than 15 hours?

A: Typically, no. If you need to enroll in more than 15 total hours (including Honors Thesis Hours), you must receive permission from the Baylor in Washington Program Director, Dr. Rebecca Flavin. Given the intense demands of the program, permission to exceed 15 hours will be granted only in truly exceptional circumstances.

Q: May I complete courses in the Honors Thesis sequence while participating in Baylor in Washington?

A: Yes! In fact, this is common. If you are an honors student, you should consult with both your thesis advisor and your honors academic advisor regarding plans for making progress on your thesis while you are away. It is important to establish clear expectations about meetings and deadlines with your advisor before the semester begins. 

Q: Can the work I do in PSC 4390 count for my Honors Thesis?

A: Students completing an Honors Thesis are encouraged to talk with their thesis mentor about whether and how any of their research for PSC 4390 (including any honors contract work) might be incorporated in their thesis, just as you would for work you complete in any course that might be related to your Honors Thesis topic. However, if students are simultaneously enrolled in Honors Thesis coursework during their Washington Program semester, the same work may not be submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for both PSC 4390 and the Honors Thesis course. Students should work with their thesis mentor and the instructor of PSC 4390 to clearly demarcate the work to be submitted for credit in the respective classes. 

Program Costs

Program Costs

Beginning in the Fall of 2025, the cost for participation in the Baylor in Washington Semester Program: 

• Baylor tuition (any current scholarships and financial aid still apply)
• Program Fee: $3,500 (divided into a $500 deposit to secure spot in the program and $3,000 program fee added to student bill for semester in D.C.)

Included with the Program Fee

• Housing: See below for more information.
• Unlimited Use of D.C. Metro Rail and Bus System: A special metro card granting unlimited use of the Washington, D.C. Metro rail system for the entire semester. This pass yields students an estimated cost savings of between $350-$800 over the course of the semester when compared to paying the regular fare.
• Field Trips and Professional Development Events: Regular site visits, events, and activities around D.C. and meals associated with those trips (when applicable).
• Alumni Events: Regular networking events and receptions hosted by Baylor, which will include distinguished alumni and invited guests.

NOT included in the Program Fee

• Travel: Students are responsible for securing their travel to and from Washington, D.C. at the beginning and end of the semester.
• Meals and Incidentals: Students are responsible for the cost of weekly meals/groceries, independent travel (e.g. weekend trips to New York or Charlottesville), and any incidentals.

Scholarships

Students accepted to the Baylor in Washington Semester Program will continue to receive their existing Baylor scholarships and financial aid. 

Baylor in Washington Scholarships

The following Baylor in Washington scholarships are applied above and beyond a student's current financial aid package and are only offered to students participating in the Washington Semester Program. These scholarships are determined based on both need and merit:

1. The Dr. James Curry Endowed Scholarship, an award up to $2,500 established to honor Dr. Curry's leadership of the Washington internship program for nearly 30 years. *Students participating in a summer internship may be considered for this award.
2. The Jack and Lynn Fields Washington, D.C. Scholarship, an award up to $3,500 made possible by the generosity of The Honorable Jack Fields (B.A. '74, J.D. '77).
3. The Baylor in Washington Pre-Law Scholarship, an award of up to $3,000 offered to 1-2 Pre-Law students each semester.
4. The Baylor in Washington Journalism Scholarship, an award of up to $2,000 offered to one Journalism student each semester.
5. Additional Baylor in Washington scholarship funding is available in various awards up to $2,000 for students demonstrating exceptional need or merit. 

Applying for Baylor in Washington Scholarship Awards

For all Baylor in Washington scholarship awards:

1. Students will be considered after they have been officially accepted into the Washington Semester Program.
2. After receiving acceptance into the program, students wishing to be considered for financial aid will be prompted to submit a one-page letter presenting their case for consideration. The case should describe any specific circumstances contributing to his/her financial need and also explain his/her fit for a particular award or generally for receiving scholarship support.

Additional Pre-Law Scholarship Requirements

In addition to the above qualifications, students seeking the Baylor in Washington Pre-Law Scholarship must meet the following criteria:

1. Have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5;
2. Be designated as Pre-Law and have been so designated for at least the prior semester. Applicants who are designated as ‘Pre-Law Interest’ are not eligible; and
3. Have completed no less than 24 Baylor credit hours.

Please email Washington@baylor.edu with any questions about the scholarship consideration process.

Housing

Students will live in 4-person apartment units (2-bed, 2-bath) with other Baylor in Washington students at the Meridian Mt. Vernon Triangle, located in the heart of Washington, D.C. with easy access to multiple metro lines.

These apartments come equipped with: all utilities, including wireless internet access; full kitchen, including dishware, cookware and appliances (toaster, microwave, coffeepot, etc.); Bedding, linens, and towels; Laundry facilities (irons/ironing boards included); Rooftop deck and swimming pool; In-building fitness center; 24-hour front desk, mail, and package services; 24/7 Emergency Maintenance.

Professional Development 

• Professional Development
  • Work with experts to improve your resume.
  • Professional headshots.
  • Frequent workshops covering various topics: the legislative process, networking, workplace etiquette, interviewing, public writing, strategic communications.
• Site Visits
  • Students visit organizations around D.C. and receive private access and briefings from staff members. Locations include: The U.S. Capitol, the Supreme Court, International Justice Mission, the Pinkston Group, the U.S. Committee on International Religious Freedom, AMD, Washington Navel Base, D.C. State Board of Education, NASA, and many more!

Office and Workspace

Students have access to Baylor in Washington’s office space, the D.C. Bar Headquarters, a four-minute walk from the student apartments. Classes, workshops, and events are held here. 

Physical Requirements

Before applying to this program, please take into consideration the light physical demands required by some of this program’s activities. Activities include walking moderate distances on sometimes hilly, uneven, and/or cobbled terrain, climbing up stairs, using public transportation, and standing during tours and site visits. If you have questions or are concerned about any of these activities, please contact the faculty program director.