Pomerantz Career Center
The Washington Center Program
About the Program
The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars (TWC) offers University of Iowa students the opportunity to work in any one of dozens of fields in private, public, and non-profit organizations in Washington D.C. TWC's academic internship program is for students of all majors, including not only the social sciences and humanities, but also engineering, science, math, the fine arts, and health professions. Successful completion of a fall or spring semester internship will earn 12-15 academic credits; successful completion of a Summer internship will earn 6-9 academic credits.
International internship placements are available through TWC's London Program or the Monterrey Mexico Program.
In additions to internships, TWC offers the unique 2008 Presidential Academic
Seminars Series: "Inside
Washington" in January '08, "The National Political Conventions"
in the summer of '08, and "The Presidential Inauguration," January '09.
The Prospective Students
section of The Washington Center Web site provides information on the type and variety of
internships available.
History
The University of Iowa has worked with TWC since 1979, and has sent more than 800 students to DC to participate in its various internship and seminar programs. Founded in 1975 as a nonprofit independent, experiential education organization, The Washington Center has over 35,000 alumni worldwide. It has educational partnerships with approximately 850 colleges and universities nationwide and throughout the world, and works with over 3,000 public, private, and nonprofit organizations in the nation’s capital.
Eligibility
- Student must be in the second semester of sophomore year at time of internship
- 2.75 preferred minimum cumulative grade point average at the time of application
- Full time Bachelor's degree seeking student in good academic standing
- Completion of on line application and meet with UI Campus Liaison David Fitzgerald
Internship
Participating students are placed in internships according to their interests and career goals. The internships are with federal agencies, congressional or judicial offices, public interest groups, nonprofit organizations, etc. Interns work full time, 4 1/2 days per week, attend a required evening course, and attend all Washington Forum seminars and events. Some students may choose to complete an independent study in their major.
Application
In order to appy, eligble students must
- Complete an on-line application
- Aquire an official transcript
- Complete a Goals and Issues essay
- Complete an Internship Request Statement
- Submit a resume with sources for 2 letters of recommendation
Deadlines
There are 3 different application deadlines for each term; an early (secruity clearance) deadline, a competitive deadline, and a regular deadline.
Cost
The cost of participation in TWC's program is comparable to the cost of earning the same number of hours on campus. Most financial assistance available on campus can be applied to TWC expenses along with TWC scholarships for Iowa residents. Out of state students will find TWC participation to cost less than earning the same number of hours on campus.
Credits
Students remain enrolled at, and receive academic credit the University of Iowa. In the fall or spring semester 12 credits are awarded in the summer session 6 credits. Up to 3 additional internship or independent study hours can be arranged in some majors.
Housing
The Washington Center guarantees its interns housing and provides them some of the finest upscale housing available to interns in the area. These facilities provide attractive independent living arrangements in apartment buildings in Northern Virginia, Washington, D.C, and suburban Maryland.
| You'll share your apartment with other TWC interns from all over the US and the world. The apartments are located in well-lit, high traffic neighborhoods that provide comfortable surroundings. You'll have access to Washington's Metro subway system, shops, restaurants, and convenience stores. |
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Although there are differences among the various housing units, most of them offer the following amenities:
- Large, furnished 4-person apartments
- Fully-equipped kitchens with microwave ovens
- Individually controlled heating and air conditioning units
- Laundry facility
- High speed internet access
- Local telephone and basic cable service
- Resident Assistants (RAs), and 24-hour front desk coverage or secured building
- Health fitness center