WSP Summer Program

Washington Semester Program Summer
American University’s Washington Semester Program (WSP) Summer is an opportunity for students to spend a summer in DC, work in a DC internship, and earn academic credit. Now in its 76th year, WSP has enabled 50,000+ students from hundreds of domestic and international universities to live, work, and study in Washington, DC. 

The WSP motto “DC Is Our Classroom” highlights the unique value of the program—combining experiential learning from a nationally ranked university with structured and supervised internships at some of DC’s most prestigious and dynamic institutions. 

Summer Program:

  • 8-week program
  • Internship: 4 days a week
  • Course: 1 day a week
  • Housing: TurnKey luxury apartments
  • American University Services + Resources

Summer 2024 Requirements

Summer 2024

Top 3 Reasons to Apply by or before Priority Deadline? 

  • competitive internships require early applications!
    Ex. Fed agencies like State Department and prestigious organizations like Woodrow Wilson Center
  • internships that require secruity clearnces require applications as early as Nov 15
  • scholarship consideration
  • housing preference
Application Deadlines
App Deadlines Summer 2024
Priority Feb 16
Regular Mar 31
INTL Schools Not Eligible
Scholarship Mar 15
Program Dates
Program Timeline Summer 2024
Move-In Window May 10 - 29
Internship + Class Start Jun 4
Internship + Class End Jul 26
Move-Out Window Jul 26 - Aug 9

Eligibilty

enrolled in a 2 or 4 year college or university
OR
graduated with a bachelor's in the past year
completed at least two semesters (or 24 credits)
possess a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA
International students studying at U.S. universities are welcome to apply. We do not provide visa support for our summer program.

To Apply:

  1. Create an account.
  2. Check with your home school advisor or study off-campus office on credit transfer.
  3. After you have created an account, complete the application.
  4. After you have submitted the first portion of your application, you must return to your account and complete supplemental items (once you refresh the page, supplemental items should be an option).

    Note: Your application will not be considered until you have submitted the required supplemental items.
  • Official transcript from your home institution
  • Resume

Please submit all supplemental items electronically. Your certified electronic transcript should be sent to ogisdocuments@american.edu through your home institution. If your institution cannot issue an electronic copy, please let us know at washsem@american.edu.

WSP Summer 2024

You’ll have access to hundreds of internship openings and thousands of internship leads in our program online database. There are a wide variety of sectors where WSP Summer students find internships, including:

The Arts      
Business                    
Digital Media  
Education                  
Environment  
Foreign Policy             
Government/Politics
Healthcare
IT
Journalism
Law
Social Justice

  • Step 1: “DC Ready” resume & cover letter development
  • Step 2: Interview Training
  • Step 3: WSP Internship Database support
  • Step 4: Getting you to yes

Experienced WSP faculty and administrators work with you and your internship supervisors to help you have a great internship experience. 

We’ll help you develop the skills you need to be successful in your internship and future job—skills like communication, professionalism, teamwork, and conflict resolution—through a mix of career exploration workshops, professional skills building sessions, alumni and employer networking events, and advising with our dedicated internship coaches and professional faculty.

Embark on a dynamic learning experience with our summer internship courses. Our courses are designed to give you credit for your internship! You have the opportunity to select from a 3 or 1 credit internship class.

While all courses share identical career readiness content, the distinguishing factor lies in your choice of site visits and guest speakers.

All courses integrate essential career readiness content, including:
goal-setting, workplace communication, diversity awareness, reflection on projects, and mentorship.

Select one course from the list below:

  • Internship Course (Politics + Law)

    • Credits: 3
    • Modality: Hybrid
    • Hours at Your Internship: Minimum of 210
    • Career Readiness Content: 3 classes
    • Site Visits + Speakers: 4 (Politics + Law)
       
  • Internship Course (International Affairs)

    • Credits: 3
    • Modality: Hybrid
    • Hours at Your Internship: Minimum of 210
    • Career Readiness Content: 3 classes
    • Site Visits + Speakers: 4 (International Affairs)
       
  • Internship Course (Varied Areas of Interest)

    • Credits: 3
    • Modality: Hybrid
    • Hours at Your Internship: Minimum of 210
    • Career Readiness Content: 3 classes
    • Site Visits + Speakers: 4 (Various Interests)
       
  • Internship Course (Varied Areas of Interest)

    • Credits: 1
    • Modality: Hybrid
    • Hours at Your Internship: Minimum of 70
    • Career Readiness Content: 3 classes
    • Optional Site Visits + Speakers: 4 (Various Interests)
       
  • Internship Course (100% Virtual Option)

    • Credits: 1
    • Modality: 100% Virtual (Ideal for remote internships outside of DC)
    • Hours at Your Internship: Minimum of 70
    • Career Readiness Content: 3 classes
    • Site Visits + Speakers: Not applicable due to modality
Summer 2024
Description Amount

3-credit Internship + Internship Course

1-credit Internship + Internship Course (100% online, hybrid, or in-person)

$4,400

$2,625

Program fee $30

Note: Washington Semester Program does not sponsor visas for students in the summer program.
 

Housing with TurnKey
Apartment Options Rate
Double Occupancy
2 Bedroom + 2 Full Bathroom Apartment
2 students per bedroom | 4 students per apartment
$4,475
Single Occupancy
2 Bedroom + 2 Full Bathroom Apartment
1 student per bedroom | 2 students per apartment
$8,950

AU Health Insurance
Description Amount
Summer coverage only1
May 1, 2023 – July 31, 2023
$549

Health insurance is required. Students may provide their own coverage or choose the AU summer health insurance plan. Students must be taking 6 credits to enroll in the AU summer health insurance plan.