The Washington Semester program offers you the opportunity to spend a semester at American University in Washington D.C. while receiving academic credit at Pacific for participating in a combination of internship, academic and seminar experiences. You can earn 16 credits toward your degree.

A wide variety of internship opportunities are available at places such as these:

  • U.S. government agency
  • Lobbying organization
  • Political party
  • Media organization
  • Foreign embassy
  • Non-profit agency

You select one of 12 areas of concentration such as American politics, economic policy, international business and trade, foreign policy, or journalism. Some concentrations include an overseas travel segment.

In addition to serving as interns, students participate in a semester-long seminar that includes discussions with real insiders: public officials, political figures, lobbyists, think-tank scholars and the media. They also undertake a research project or take an elective course at American University. These experiences combine exposure to the world of governmental and non-profit work with academic learning.

When living on the American University campus, students have full access to campus life, including dining halls, athletic facilities, and libraries—and they are in close proximity to the unique resources of Washington D.C.

Dr. Dari Tran, Associate Professor of Political Science, directs the Washington Semester program. To learn more, contact her as follows:

Dr. Dari TranAssociate Professor of Political Science Wendell Phillips Center, Room 126
dsylvester@pacific.edu
Phone: 209.946.2007

You can also visit American University's Washington Semester website.