Summer 2023

Selective Washington, DC organizations require applications as early as November 15. To be eligible for competitive internships that may mandate security clearances and follow-up, apply early. Note the priority and early deadlines:

February 1

Priority Application deadline
Admission is on a rolling basis.
Apply early for better access to competitive internships.

March 15

Priority Housing Deadline
TurnKey Housing is guaranteed if you submit your deposit and request housing before this deadline. After this date, housing is provided on a rolling basis as space is available.

March 31

Final Application Deadline

April 15

Final Deposit^* & Housing Deadline

June 5

Orientation start

June 6

Internships start

June 7

Classes start

July 26

Classes end

July 28

Internships end

^*All deposits are non-refundable

To Apply:

1. Create an account.
2. Check with your home school advisor or study off-campus office on credit transfer.
3. After you have created an account, complete the application.
4. After you have submitted the first portion of your application, you must return to your account and complete supplemental items (once you refresh the page, supplemental items should be an option).
   
   Note: Your application will not be considered until you have submitted the required supplemental items.

• Official transcript from your home institution
• Resume

Please submit all supplemental items electronically. Your certified electronic transcript should be sent to ogisdocuments@american.edu through your home institution. If your institution cannot issue an electronic copy, please let us know at washsem@american.edu.

You’ll have access to hundreds of internship openings and thousands of internship leads in our program online database. There are a wide variety of sectors where WSP Summer students find internships, including:

The Arts      
Business                    
Digital Media  
Education                  
Environment  
Foreign Policy             
Government/Politics
Healthcare
IT
Journalism
Law
Social Justice

• Step 1: “DC Ready” resume & cover letter development
• Step 2: Interview Training
• Step 3: WSP Internship Database support
• Step 4: Getting you to yes

Experienced WSP faculty and administrators work with you and your internship supervisors to help you have a great internship experience. 

We’ll help you develop the skills you need to be successful in your internship and future job—skills like communication, professionalism, teamwork, and conflict resolution—through a mix of career exploration workshops, professional skills building sessions, alumni and employer networking events, and advising with our dedicated staff.

WSP Summer courses focus on internship support and career exploration. You’ll choose one of three 3-credit courses divided by professional field. Your experienced AU faculty member will prepare you to meet with national and global experts to discuss their career paths and professional experiences. For example,

• In the Politics and Law course, you might meet with a WSP alum who works on Capitol Hill and get their advice on finding a job in a Congressional office and the skills and coursework that help staffers succeed in the workplace. 
• In the International Affairs course, you might meet with a WSP alum who interned at Voice of America to learn about their organizational culture and roles for entry-level employees. 
• In the Social Justice course, you might meet with a WSP internship supervisor from the Shine Campaign to talk about their academic preparation for a career in values-driven investment and energy justice issues.

Starting Summer 2023, you may enroll in a 1-credit, online course. This course will give you flexibilty to learn virtually while you intern. While this class is offered online, you may choose to participate in WSP Summer in Washington, DC for in-person, hybrid, or remote internships. 

• In the Professional Development course, you will cultivate growth as you develop self-knowledge; design a meaningful career path; and take action to explore varied career options. You will learn how to leverage past work experience and skill-building opportunities via in-depth career training, along with a customized internship experience.

If you choose the online section, you can pair the online course with an online internship that you can do from any location. 

Stay tuned for more details!

Based on availability, you have multiple options for summer housing:

• Premium apartments with TurnKey Housing solutions options

Double Space Cost per Semester (Shared bathroom/bed)

$5,750/student

Single Space Cost per Semester(Private bedroom/private bathroom)

$11,500/student

• AU off-campus housing resources
• Friends/family in the DC area

More details to come

Note: Washington Semester Program does not sponsor visas for students in the summer program.
 

¹Health insurance is required. Students may provide their own coverage or choose the AU summer health insurance plan. Students must be taking 6 credits to enroll in the AU summer health insurance plan.