Santa Clara University

Washington Semester

For many years, Santa Clara students have participated in the Washington Semester program through American University. The Washington Semester Program offers students the opportunity to live, study, and work in our nation's capital for one semester along with other students from throughout the country, as well as from abroad.  Numerous programs of study are available, including American Politics, Public Law, Foreign Policy, International Environment & Development, Economic Policy, Journalism, International Business & Trade, Peace & Conflict Resolution, and Contemporary Islam.  In the Washington Semester Program students combine coursework taken at American University with hands-on experience via internships.  In the past SCU students have interned at the White House, the Justice Department, the FBI, interest groups, Fox News, various non-profit organizations, and offices of Members of the House of Representatives.

Students participating in the Washington Semester Program earn 22.5 - 24 quarter credits for one semester of study.  Grades and units received at American University will count toward the student's SCU GPA and course requirements for the department and the university.

WSP FAQ & Information Packet 2010 (Includes Application) CLICK HERE

 

Did you miss the info session hosted by Dean Brown from American University?  Click here to view his powerpoint presentation!

Frequently Asked Questions about the Washington Semester Program

Should I go as a senior, junior, or sophomore?
Students usually attend in their junior or senior years. Occasionally, sophomores are accepted, but this is not recommended. Most SCU students attend in the fall because they miss only one quarter, rather than two, and return to SCU with more, rather than fewer, course credits than they would have taken otherwise.

How do I apply? When is the application deadline?
Applications must be submitted to Professor Chen (Department of Political Science), rather than to American University. Key dates in the application process include:

• January 2010: Information session on the program, with Dr. David Brown, Dean of Washington Semester, Location and Time TBA
• February 26, 2010: Applications Due -  Turn in to A&S 230 by Noon
  
• March 15, 2010: Accepted students notified

Although applications are not due until February 2009, you should consult with your academic advisor as early as possible if you would like to attend this program, so that you can plan your classes at SCU accordingly.

How competitive is it to get into the program?
Students are encouraged to apply for this unique opportunity; eligibility for the program is based on the student's class standing (junior or senior when program commences) and GPA, which must be 2.5 or higher at the time the application is submitted (winter quarter prior to program commencement).  If you are currently a sophomore or junior with a GPA of 2.5 or higher, and participation in this program will not impede your graduation, you have a good chance of being accepted. Most SCU students are able to attend their first-choice program.

Students with a GPA between 2.1 and 2.5 may be considered on an exceptional basis.

How many units of credit will I receive?
It depends on whether you take the elective course or do the research project. In general, completion of Washington Semester counts as 15 to 16 semester units, which translates to 22.5 to 24 quarter units of credit (1 semester unit = 1.5 quarter units).

Here’s how it breaks down (American U. is on the semester system):

         Research Project Course Option

 

Classes If you opt for the “Research Project”	SCU Course Fulfilled	Semester Units Earned	Quarter Units Earned
AU Research Project	POLI Senior Seminar	4	6
AU Internship	POLI UD Elective	4	6
AU Seminar	POLI UD (IR, U.S., or Comparative)	8	12
	Total Units	16	24

* To receive credit for your Poli Senior Seminar requirement you must be a junior or senior and complete the AU Research Project with a grade of C or better.

 

Elective Course Option
 

Classes If you opt for the elective course	SCU Course Fulfilled	Semester Units Earned	Quarter Units Earned
AU Elective	UD Elective Units	3	4.5
AU Internship	POLI UD Elective	4	6
AU Seminar	POLI UD (IR, U.S., or Comparative)	8	12
	Total Units	15	22.5

Instead of doing the research project, you may instead decide to enroll in an elective course.  You will need to choose a course that is offered after 5 p.m. to accommodate your seminar and internship at American University.  You are advised not to count on doing a required course at AU, as many of those courses close before you are allowed access to them.

 

Please Note:  If you attend one of the five programs that have a travel component you will NOT be able to choose the elective course option.  (A list of programs with accompanying travel components is provided below).

 

 

What requirements are satisfied by the courses taken in Washington?

• The SEMINAR COURSES fulfill various Poli Sci and elective requirements, as listed in the table below.
• The INTERNSHIP CLASS counts as an upper division Political Science elective.
• The RESEARCH PROJECT fulfills the Political Science Senior Seminar requirement if taken in your junior or senior year.

It is helpful to keep these courses in mind as you select which courses to take at SCU both before and after you attend the Washington Semester Program.

 

 

Program	Upper-Division Poli Sci Requirements
American Politics	US Politics, Elective
Contemporary Islam	Comparative Politics, Elective
Economic Policy	US Politics, Elective
International Business & Trade	International Relations, Elective
Intn'l Environment & Development	International Relations, Elective
International Law & Organizations	International Relations, Elective
Journalism	US Politics, Elective
Justice	US Politics, Elective
Peace & Conflict Resolution	International Relations, Comparative, Elective
Public Law	US Politics, Elective
Transforming Communities	US Politics, Elective
U.S. Foreign Policy	International Relations, Elective

If you are working on the Public Sector Emphasis, any of the seminars will also count as one of the required upper division courses outside the department.

Likewise, depending on course selection, some pre-law emphasis requirements may be completed at AU.  Law-related WSP coursework can be approved for pre-law list A coursework.  Please refer to Dr. Peretti for more information.

 

I am studying a language at SCU. Can I continue that in Washington?
Yes, you can enroll in a language course at American University as an elective. The only constraint is the schedule of classes at A.U. You need to find a course that meets after 5 pm, so that it does not interfere with your other classes. If you take the elective, you will probably not be able to do the research project as well.  Likewise, if you attend a program with a travel component, you will not be able to enroll in a language course.

 

 

Will my financial aid transfer to American University? Is other aid available?
Your financial aid from Santa Clara should transfer to American University if you attend Washington Semester. You should consult your financial aid officer to confirm the amount of your financial aid package and determine which of your awards (if applicable) will transfer to D.C and if any will not. Most financial aid grants, loans, and scholarships from SCU transfer in full to American University if you attend the Washington Semester Program.

In the event that you still need financial assistance, there are also scholarships available from American University. These scholarships are based on financial need. To apply for them, you must write a letter to SCU’s Washington Semester director, Dr. Elsa Chen, describing your financial need and providing as much supporting evidence as possible.  You will also need to complete the AU Dean's Scholarship Application form (provided in the link above).  All information will be kept confidential.

 

 

How much does it cost?
Please see the price list (provided in the link above) for an estimate of the tuition, housing options, meal plans, fees, and other costs. The costs listed are slightly lower than they will be next year, as costs are adjusted each year based on inflation.  Also note that the Washington Semester tuition is higher than Fall tuition for SCU, but it is a semester, rather than a quarter, so you earn more units-- you will be earning a quarter and a half worth of units while in D.C.  If you were to take the same number of units at SCU the price difference is negligible.

 

 

Can I do this program and also study abroad?
The answer to this question depends on several factors, including how many quarters you will spend “in residence” at SCU (a minimum of 45 units after junior standing taken at SCU is required), and which study abroad program you attend. You should discuss this with your academic advisor as well as the Study Abroad Office, who can help you map out your remaining courses and verify that you will graduate on-time.  Students typically do not have problems doing both, but every student's situation is different.

If you want the Washington D.C. experience as well as an overseas experience in one semester, you may want to consider one of the five Washington Semester programs that also include an overseas trip.

The five programs with an overseas travel component are:

Program with Travel Component	Fall Travel Itinerary	Winter/ Spring Travel Itinerary
Peace & Conflict Resolution	Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia, Croatia	Greece, Turkey, Cyprus
Int'l Environment & Development	Galapagos Islands, Ecuador	South Africa: Cape Town, Jahannesburg, Lajuma Province
Contemporary Islam	Egypt, Jordan, Syria	Egypt, Jordan, Syria
Intn'l Business & Trade	China: Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, New York City	India/ Bangladesh: Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi, Dhaka
Intn'l Law & Organizations	New York City, London, Geneva, Strasbourg, Luxembourg, The Hague	New York CIty, London, Geneva, Strasbourg, Luxembourg, The Hague

How do the internships work? Do I have to find my own?
You may find your own, but most students meet employers through the Washington Semester Program’s Internship Bazaar at the beginning of the semester, and interview with a few offices before deciding on an internship. The Washington Semester staff at American U. has excellent resources and connections to help you secure an internship.

Additionally, the political science department has a book of over 2000 internships available through AU's Washington Semester Program.  You can stop by A&S 230 anytime to look through the book to get an idea of possible internships you may wish to pursue while in Washington D.C.

 

Additional Questions
Feel free to contact Julie Wong (jwong2@scu.edu, or polisci@scu.edu, 408-554-4508, Arts & Sciences 230) or Professor Chen (echen@scu.edu, 408-551-7055, Arts & Sciences 239), or call the Washington Semester Program directly at 1-800-424-2600.  You can also check out their web site at www.washingtonsemester.com.