You are here: American University Provost Office of Global and Immersive Studies Washington Semester Program Summer Internship Program

Make the Most of Your Summer
Be an intern at a world renowned organization while earning academic credit at a top ranked university. Over 8 weeks, you will expand your network and acquire valuable experience, distinguishing you from other students - both at your home college, and in future internships and jobs.
A summer in DC will change your understanding of the world, impacting your outlook on your studies and future career.
The Summer Internship Program has three components:
- A full-time internship with an organization in Washington, DC where you will gain professional skills and industry experience.
- Your choice of a one credit colloquium:
Professional Development in DC
or
three credit colloquium in:
U.S. Government
Global Business
International Affairs
Non-Profit Careers
See our concentrations page to view descriptions of the summer colloquia. - If you enroll in a 3 credit colloquium, you will also complete a comprehensive portfolio of your internship and seminar experiences.
Credit Options
1 Credit Option
Professional Development in DC
- One weekly class session (75 minutes)
- 4.5 days of internship
- Personalized internship advisor/support for internship search
- Participation in Professional Development Day
3 Credit Option
Your choice of Colloquia in U.S. Government, Global Business, International Affairs, or Non-Profit Careers
- Half day of class sessions each week that will feature guest speakers and site visits
- 4.5 days of internship
- Personalized internship advisor/support for internship search
- Participation in Professional Development Day
- Customized Career Portfolio Assignment of your internship and seminar experiences at the end of the term.
4-6 Credit Option
- You can also add a research or an elective course for a total of 4 or 6 credits.
Sample Summer Schedule
During the Summer, students will be at their internships on all weekdays except for Wednesdays when they will have their internship in the morning and their seminar* in the afternoon. Look at a sample Day in the Life of a Washington Semester student.
*Length and scope of seminar will vary between the 1 and 3 credit seminar.
Recent Internship Sites
- American Bar Association
- American Red Cross
- Amnesty International
- Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)
- DC Office of the Attorney General
- Liberty Wealth Management
- Mexican Embassy
- No Labels
- U.S. Chamber of Commerce
- U.S. House and Senate offices & Committees
- Voice of America