washington semester program

Capitol Building

Washington Semester Internship Program

Application Deadline for Fall 2012 semester is Monday, Feb. 27, 2012. See below for other key dates.

Administered by the South Carolina Honors College at the University of South Carolina, the South Carolina Washington Semester Internship Program (WSP) gives students in universities and colleges across the state of South Carolina the opportunity to spend a semester working and taking classes in Washington DC, gaining valuable experience while earning academic credit toward their degrees.

In DC, Washington Semester Program Fellows get firsthand experience with the political process, obtaining skills that will help prepare them for careers in virtually any sphere.  In the past, Washington Semester Program Fellows have attended important events, such as the inauguration ceremonies, White House arrival ceremonies for visiting head of states, joint sessions of Congress, and arguments before the Supreme Court. Recent seminars have featured meetings with White House personnel, the Deputy Attorney General, cabinet secretaries, senior TV network correspondents, lobbyists, embassy officials and other national leaders.

“I will never forget my internship with CNN, it was an incredible experience.  After I finish my Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar program in Spain, I hope to become a medical correspondent for CNN en Espanol."

-Jessica Silvaggio, Spring 2009 Fellow

Students also meet interesting and influential people, establishing contacts for personal and professional networking.

But it's not all work. Students have time to tour the monuments, explore the museums, and experience the international flavor of the world's most powerful capital.

The WSP is a state-wide program available to qualified students attending the following South Carolina colleges and universities:

  • Charleston Southern University
  • The Citadel
  • Claflin University
  • Clemson University
  • Coastal Carolina University
  • College of Charleston
  • Francis Marion University
  • Lander University
  • South Carolina State
  • University University of South Carolina- Columbia
  • University of South Carolina - Upstate
  • Wofford College
  • Winthrop University

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Key Dates for the Spring 2012 semester in Washington, DC

Move-in dates:                  January 7 & 8, 2012

Semester begins:             Monday, Jan. 9, 2012

Classes end:                   Friday, April 20, 2012

Move-out deadline:        Sunday, April 22, 2012, noon

Key Dates for the Fall 2012 semester in Washington, DC

Application Deadline:   Monday, March 27, 2012

Interview Date:           Saturday, March 10, 2012

Orientation Date:           Saturday, March 31, 2012

Move In Dates: September 1-2, 2012

Semester Start: September 3, 2012

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Steve Beckham, the Internship Placement Director (3rd from left) poses with Washington Semester Program alumni at a USC football game. From the left, the alumni are Caroline O’Neal, Alyssa Maute and Kevin Kowel.

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Click on the Application page for details about applying.  For more information regarding the Washington Semester Internship Program, contact:

Beth Watson
Director of Internship Programs
803-777-1180
beth.h@sc.edu

FAX:  803-777-2214

Steve Beckham, the Internship Placement Director (3rd from left) poses with Washington Semester Program alumni at a USC football game. From the left, the alumni are Caroline O’Neal, Alyssa Maute and Kevin Kowal.