PARENTS The Washington Center

SUCCESS STARTS WITH EXPERIENCE

The University of Iowa Washington Center Internship Program enables students from all majors to earn up to 15 hours credit for internships in Washington, DC.

Students are given the opportunity to live and work in one of the most important cities of the world and to experience the professional arena of the nation's capital as well as its cultural diversity.

Through the UI Washington Center Internship experience, students:

  • Develop knowledge and professional skills
  • Apply academic learning to the work world
  • Discover the diversity of occupational choices
  • Improve research and communication skills
  • Gain perspective on academic studies
  • Meet people from across the country & world
  • Prepare for life after college, and
  • Experience the nation's capital

Earning UI credit while interning in Washington, D.C. costs about the same as earning the same amount of credit on campus.

Unique Format

  • Work as an intern 4 1/2 days per week
  • Substantive, entry-level professional work
  • One summer, fall, or spring term
  • Credit awarded is University of Iowa credit - not transfer credit
  • Presidential Lecture Series
  • Academic course held once a week
  • Tours and topical discussion opportunities

Portfolio System of Learning

Each student prepares a portfolio during the semester to enhance the learning experience through writing and analysis. The portfolio serves as a formal record of professional work and writing samples, which are invaluable when it comes time to find a job.

The seven Portfolio components are:

  • Learning objective statements
  • Analytical writing samples
  • Informational interview
  • Lecture analysis
  • Recognition of citizenship responsibilities
  • Resume
  • Internship defense letter

 The Washington Center
Quick Facts:
  • Founded in 1975 as a nonprofit, independent educational organization
  • Affiliated with hundreds of colleges and universities nationwide, with more than 25,000 alumni
  • Internships with more than 1,000 public, private and nonprofit agencies in all fields

The Internship
  • Full-time, four to four and one half days per week
  • Substantive, entry-level professional work to merit academic credit, no more than 20% clerical work
  • Full academic term (10-week quarter or summer, 15-week fall or spring semester)
  • Academic credit is awarded by home institution (usually 12-15 credits)
  • Program Supervisors work directly with students and workplace supervisors for internship placement and student evaluation
  • Placements available for all majors: The Arts, Business, Law & Criminal Justice, Education, International Affairs, Sciences, Health, Information Technology, Public Administration, Political Science. and more
  • Special Program Initiatives: Diversity in Congress, Environmental Internship, Minority Leaders, Mass Communications, Nonprofit Leaders, Women in Public Policy.
  • Financial Assistance Available
Other Components of the Program
  • 2-Day Program and Washington, D.C. Orientation
  • Students take one academic course from a selection of up to 25 course offerings
  • Classes meet one night per week and utilize the unique experiential education opportunities in the Nation's Capital
  • Students attend the Presidential Lecture Series given by Civic Leaders; past lecturers include Senator Connie Mack, Ted Koppel, Congressman Sherrod Brown, and Donna Shalala
  • Students participate in the Congressional Breakfast Series - small group breakfast discussions with Members of Congress
Sample Placements
  • Congress, The White House
  • Center for Strategic and International Studies
  • Department of Commerce
  • Department of Defense
  • Environmental Protection Agency
  • CNN, C-SPAN, BET, MCI Center
  • Smithsonian Institution
  • National Institutes of Health Amnesty
  • International Children's Defense Fund
  • Mexican Cultural Institute Embassies
  • U.S. Marshall's Office, Federal Courts, Law Offices
  • Secret Service
Housing and Student Life
  • Full-time professional student services staff and live-in Resident Associates
  • Furnished, fully-equipped apartments
  • Other Washington Center interns as roommates
  • Safe, convenient locations close to Metrorail System
  • Social and cultural activities in and around Washington, D.C. arranged by the Student Services Staff
Application process requirements
  • Transcripts from all colleges attended
  • Goals and issues essay
  • Internship request statement
  • Letters of recommendation and resume

Each student's application is sent to multiple internship sites for review. Workplace supervisor conducts phone interview, makes decision, and informs Program Supervisor of decision. Student selects placement with advice from Program Supervisor.


For information on the Washington Center, contact:
David Fitzgerald
Phone: 319/335-1023, Fax: 319/335-1029
100 Pomerantz Center, Suite C310, Iowa City, IA 52242.
Visit www.twc.edu for additional information. Request information directly for The Washington Center or call the Pomerantz Career Center at 319-335-1023.