Spring Semester in Washington, D.C.

​​The program gives all UD undergraduate upperclassmen, regardless of major, the opportunity to live, work, and learn in Washington, D.C. for the entire spring semester. Students accepted into the program will intern in a placement of their choice and will receive six credits for their work and experience. Students earn an additional six credits by taking two in-classroom courses that cover the American policy-making ecosystem, democratic institutions and governance, and civil discourse. The Spring Semester in Washington, D.C. Program is jointly sponsored by the Biden School of Public Policy and Administration, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Ithaca Initiative, the Biden Institute, the Institute for Public Administration, and the Center for Global Programs and Services.

The in-classroom courses are taught in partnership with the Colin Powell School of Public Policy at the City College of New York (CCNY), which runs an identical program. Both in-classroom courses are a combination of University of Delaware and CCNY students. The first three-credit, in-classroom course is Washington Policy Practicum (UAPP 433/POSC 483) and is taught by a Biden School faculty member. The second is Power, Inequality, and Social Policy (UAPP 481/POSC 481) and it is taught by an instructor from the Powell School. ​

​Program Highlights

The four-day-per-week internship is the major highlight of the Semester in D.C. Program, providing students with real-world policy and political experience and access to a broad network of D.C. professionals. Past UD students have interned on The Hill with a variety of U.S. Senators such as Cory Booker (D-NJ), Chris Coons (D-DE), Ted Cruz (R-TX), and Lamar Alexander (R-TN), as well as Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE). Students have also interned with the Supreme Court, Amnesty International, NPR, advocacy and lobbying firms, and have staffed various Senate and House committees.

Each year, in addition to gaining valuable work and networking experience through their internships, students participate in a series of meetings that offer a unique insight into the Washington D.C. policy ecosystem. Past guests included a senior advisor to the President, professional lobbyists, the founder and director of a national children's advocacy group, the former head of the Social Security Administration, a former U.S. Secretary of State, a former CIA operative, and many more.

Beyond the internship and classroom, students have a wonderful opportunity to live in the heart of Washington D.C. during the beautiful spring season, and they enjoy the cultural and entertainment opportunities that D.C. offers. Students in the program share a centrally located townhouse on Capitol Hill, located just blocks from the Supreme Court and Capitol Building with easy access to the METRO. Washington D.C. is home to many internationally recognized (and free) museums, cheap and delicious restaurant options, and a vibrant arts scene.​​

Application and Timing

Acceptance is competitive and based on a written application and an in-person interview with the program's Faculty Director Philip Barnes​. Several interest meetings are held in the spring and the application deadline is typically around June 1st (to participate in the following spring's program).

Cost

The cost of each year's program varies and will be listed on the Study Abroad portal of the Center for Global Programs and Services webpage. Program costs are typically between $1,000-$2,000 (in addition to normal tuition costs) and include housing, utilities, several planned excursions in D.C., and METRO fares.

Contact and Additional Information

For more information about the Spring Semester in Washington, D.C. Program and to be placed on an email list for interested students, contact Faculty Director Philip Barnes via email.​​​​

Financial Assistance

UD Academic Enrichment Award Program: Undergraduate and graduate students may apply for the UD Academic Enrichment Award Program, which provides opportunities for legacy students (a student who has a verifiable parent or step-parent who is a UD graduate) to enrich their education at the University through financial assistance.

Additional Scholarships: Students are encouraged to explore scholarship resources to help pay for college. These include a select number of UD endowments, an external scholarship listing, and scholarship search engines.

Biden School Scholarships: The Biden School offers scholarships for graduate study abroad programs. Information about these scholarships can be provided by the faculty member leading the specific study abroad. These awards are for graduate students only.

For more information about Biden School's study abroad programs, please contact bidenschool@udel.edu.​​