MHC Semester in D.C.
Undergraduate
MHC Semester in D.C. is an exciting academic and internship program for students to live, study, and intern in Washington., D.C. This program is available to both juniors and seniors to spend a semester in the nation鈥檚 capital at top-ranked American University in its Washington Semester Program.
Program Overview
MHC Semester in D.C. is an exciting program for students to live, study, and intern in Washington., D.C. This program is available to both juniors and seniors to spend a fall semester in the nation鈥檚 capital taking courses at American University in its Washington Semester Program.
MHC Semester in D.C. combines an intensive internship with rigorous coursework in government, policy, advocacy, and related fields. The program is open to students from any academic major with a strong motivation to pursue their interests in politics, policy research, government, nonprofits, or international affairs. Students are mentored by distinguished alums who serve on the Advisory Council to MHC Semester in D.C. In addition, site visits with accomplished alums give students an insider鈥檚 view of the dynamic culture and political vibrancy of the nation鈥檚 capital.
Adam Hilton, Assistant Professor of Politics, serves as the faculty director of MHC Semester in D.C. The program is administered through the Weissman Center for Leadership by the Center鈥檚 Director, Amy E. Martin.
Components of the program
Program participants receive a total of 13 course credits and work at an internship three to four days a week (approximately 20-24 hours per week).
In addition to work experience, you will be enrolled in:
- Two multidisciplinary seminars (8 credits total) taught by American University faculty and Washington area experts that cover topics such as American politics, foreign policy, global economics and business, public health, international law, journalism and new media, and justice, racial disparity, and law.
- An independent study (4 credits), taught by the faculty director of MHC Semester in D.C.
- An internship course (1 credit) to prepare, secure, and support student success at a D.C.-based internship in an area of interest. Recent internships have been in congressional offices, federal agencies, think tanks, advocacy and social justice organizations, nongovernmental organizations, and consultant firms in areas such as health policy, political communications, and international regulations.
