Policy Design Studio and Internship Program

You will live in Washington DC during the fall or spring semester and intern four days a week at an organization of interest to you (options include, but are not limited to, the White House, Supreme Court, Congress, government departments and agencies, law firms, lobbying and consulting firms, media outlets, museums, think tanks, and non- profit organizations). Once a week, you will participate in a seminar at the ASU Leadership, Diplomacy and National Security Lab in which you will research solutions to real world foreign policy issues. You will also have the opportunity to visit government agencies, historical sites, and network with professionals from a number of different fields.

Yes, this is a great resume building and networking opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students in any program. You will gain invaluable, hands-on work experience. Other benefits include obtaining strong letters of recommendation from internship supervisors and potential job offers. Undergraduate students receive six credits of POS 484: ASU- DC Internship, three credits of POS 484: Internship, and three credits of POS 494: Policy Design, which can count toward upper division major and/or general elective requirements. These credits can also count toward a minor and/or certificate offered through the School of Politics and Global Studies. To learn more, visit https://spgs.asu.edu/minors-certificates. Graduate students receive six credits of POS 598: ASU- DC Internship and three credits of POS 494: Policy Design.

Students from any undergraduate or graduate program are eligible. Undergraduate students must have a 3.0 ASU GPA and 60 hours of completed coursework by the semester in which they wish to participate. Transfer students should contact Ashley.A.Wright@asu.edu for exceptions.

See above.

See above.

Click on the Apply Now link on our website, which will direct you to the Study Abroad Office application. In addition to the application, you will need to upload an unofficial transcript and clear scans of your student ID and government issued ID. You will also need to submit two recommendation forms (accessible via the Study Abroad application) from academic and/or professional references. Applicants are charged a non-refundable $50 application fee. Once applications are reviewed, students who meet the program criteria are interviewed by a selection committee.

You will take one class in addition to your internship that is worth a total of 12 credits. This class is one day a week and lasts all day (from 10:00am - 1pm), usually on Fridays. You can also take additional online courses if  you need to satisfy the minimum amount of credits for a scholarship. You will be working at your internship for the rest of the week. You may have a couple field trips during the week in which you will have to call off-work ahead of time. Be sure to notify your supervisor that you need this day off from work as soon as you receive the dates of the field trips.

If you are interested in earning honors credits, please contact the ASU Leadership, Diplomacy and National Security Lab.

See the semester cost above. This includes housing and program related excursions. Additionally, students must also pay fulltime ASU tuition, fees, and transportation and living expenses.

You are responsible for paying fulltime ASU tuition and student fees, airfare, transportation costs, daily meals, personal expenses, health insurance, and non-program related optional excursions. Once confirmed for the program, a $200 refundable housing deposit is due. Note that living expenses are somewhat higher in Washington DC than in Tempe.

Yes, in order for you to have an experience in Washington DC that best fits your unique interests, background, and skills, we require that you secure your own internship. We have a number of resources and connections to organizations in DC which we will provide to help you through the process and ensure you find an internship that is a good fit. Contact Ms. Kayla Stamey at Kayla.Stamey@asu.edu for more information. Please note that many internship providers have internship application deadlines well in advance of actual start date and may require a criminal background check.

Generally speaking, Washington D.C. based internships are not paid. However, on occasion, students may receive a paid internship within the program.

You will live in Washington Intern Student Housing. The apartments house six students each and have three bedrooms and two bathrooms. All apartments are furnished and include utilities, AC, wireless internet, cable TV, cookware and dishware. WISH amenities also include daily maintenance, on-site staff, a computer lab, and access to social events. The apartments are centrally located, two blocks from the National Zoo and two blocks from the Metro. They are also one Metro stop from Dupont Circle, three stops from downtown Washington DC and the White House, and six stops from Capitol Hill.

Please contact Ms. Kayla Stamey at Kayla.Stamey@asu.edu.