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.

Credits & Coursework

Students in the Washington Semester Program can receive 12-15 credit hours. If you enroll in all three offered courses, you would gain 3/4 of a Political Science minor through the Washington Semester Program alone.

Students can also receive multiple CAE credits during their time in Washington. Typically, there are at least six opportunities to earn CAE credits by visiting the Smithsonian museums, attending events at the Kennedy Center and National Cathedral, and touring the Washington Monument.

The Washington Internship Course also satisfies the Engaged Learning Credit if needed.

Washington Semester Internship - 9 Credit Hours

PSC 3992 - Baylor in Washington Semester Internship (exclusively offered through this program)

Each semester program student will work in an internship in Washington, D.C. within the field of their choice. Students earn 6 credit hours for working at this internship. 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.
Most students will earn this credit with PSC 3992, but other options exist for students in need of credit elsewhere (ex. Business, Journalism/News, Public Relations, etc.). Please contact Mollie Moore (Mollie_Moore1@baylor.edu) with any questions about alternative internship course listings.
Satisfies an Engaged Learning Requirement.

Public Policy Innovation Course - 3 Credit Hours

PSC 3309 - "Public Policy Innovation for the Common Good"

This speaker-series, seminar course meets once a week to hear from a new speaker about an area of public policy. 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 business people. Past topics have included space law, AI, contemporary foreign conflicts, polling, food insecurity, homelessness, and many more.

Research & Writing Seminar - 3 Credit Hours

This course is optional. Program participants can choose whether or not they wish to enroll. If a student chooses not to enroll, they are welcome to take a separate elective course at Baylor instead.

PSC 4390 - Baylor in Washington Research Project

Students 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. Students who must complete an undergraduate thesis may earn thesis credit for research completed in this program.

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: $3,250 (divided into a $500 deposit to secure spot in the program and $2,750 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:

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.
The Jack and Lynn Fields Washington, D.C. Scholarship, a $3,500 award made possible by the generosity of The Honorable Jack Fields (B.A. '74, J.D. '77).
The Baylor in Washington Pre-Law Scholarship, an award of up to $3,000 offered to 1-2 Pre-Law students each semester.
The Baylor in Washington Journalism Scholarship, an award of up to $2,000 offered to one Journalism student each semester.
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:

Students will be considered after they have been officially accepted into the Washington Semester Program.
After receiving acceptance into the program, students wishing to be considered for financial aid should 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:

Have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5;
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
Have completed no less than 24 Baylor credit hours.

Please email Annelise_Claire@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

Mentorship
- Students are paired with Baylor alumni mentors based on their academic or professional interests. Students and mentors meet throughout the semester.
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, which includes conference rooms and workspace for Baylor students to work on academics on evenings and weekends.

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.