University of Delaware Institute for Global Studies
Spring 2025: Washington, D.C.

Program Dates February 01, 2025 - May 17, 2025
This program is closed.

Program Overview This program is highly competitive and will accept only a limited number of applicants. Interview appointments and acceptance decisions are at the discretion of the faculty director.

Important Program Info:
Minimum GPA 2.5
Internship Yes
Start Date February 1, 2025
End Date May 17, 2025


COVID:
Please review the CGPS COVID-19 Updates page before applying to a study abroad program for information about COVID-19 related travel requirements and policies for UD study abroad..

Traveling and studying abroad during a global pandemic poses new challenges and requires accepting a higher level of uncertainty than in the past. Students who choose to study abroad at this time must be prepared to adapt to the evolving situation and must take responsibility to act in accordance with the rules, regulations, and recommendations of UD, their program leadership, and legal authorities of their home and host country. Due to the rapidly changing and unpredictable global and local response to COVID-19, these rules, regulations and recommendations are subject to change at any time.

The University will continue to monitor the ongoing situation with COVID-19 (coronavirus) as we approach the departure date for this program. Please reach out to your program coordinator or faculty director with questions and continue to monitor the UD coronavirus webpage for updates. If UD decides to cancel a study abroad program, we will communicate directly with affected students.

The Biden School and three of its programs - the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Ithaca Initiative, the Biden Institute, and the Institute for Public Administration – invites students to study public policy and administration and political science while enjoying a unique opportunity to live and work right in Washington, D.C. for an entire semester! Students will intern at the placement of their choosing. Past internships have been for various congressional offices, executive agencies, political and nonprofit organizations, as well as the judicial branch and media outlets. Students will apply for internships on their own, with support from the Biden School. Students will also experience the exciting history and culture that D.C. has to offer.

Students will enroll in a minimum of 12 credits, including 6 credits of lecture/discussion-based courses, over 15 weeks in Washington, D.C. These twelve credits are split between three courses. The first course is Washington D.C. Policy Practicum (UAPP433/POSC483) which will meet once a week for three hours and is taught by Biden School faculty. The topics will include the roles and operations of the branches of the United States Federal Government as well as the influence of national political organizations and the media. Students will learn about these topics by hearing directly from D.C. insiders and decisions makers. This course will cover material on political communication and civil discourse,and will also include site visits that complement the lectures. The second course is Policy, Inequality and Social Policy (UAPP481/POSC481) taught by a professor from the Colin Powell School at the City College of New York. Throughout the semester, students will enrich their coursework with an internship in D.C. for six credits (UAPP300/POSC498). Students will work with staff at the Biden School to secure internships based on their specific interests.

The program will offer unique opportunities for alumni engagement, allowing students to meet UD alumni who live and work in the city.

Whether you are interested in Congress, the administration, the justice system, think tanks, NGOs, media or politics, the 15 week Biden School Washington, D.C. program is your chance to experience public policy and administration up close in the nation’s capital.

Housing:
Students will live in fully furnished rooms in an apartment building located in Washington, D.C., with easy access to Capitol Hill, the Metro, bus, and bikeshare systems. All students are required to stay in program sponsored housing, independent housing arrangements are not allowed by UD or the program partners.

The Program Fee includes housing, METRO travel, and excursions in DC.

The Program Fee does not include meals, transportation to DC. Students will need to budget for meals, laundry, and other personal expenses.

The Center for Global Programs & Services cooperates with the Biden School of Public Policy & Administration, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Ithaca Initiative, the Biden Institute, and the Institute for Public Administration on the administration of this program.

ACCESSIBILITY: Students with disabilities are welcomed and encouraged to study abroad, but should be aware that accessibility and accommodation in some program locations may differ from the United States. Transit systems and legacy building construction practices may not meet U.S. accessibility standards, and alternative access to public transportation, buildings, or public sites cannot be guaranteed. Review these questions with the Office of Disability Support Services to determine whether this program can meet your accommodation needs.

Courses: Students must enroll in all credit-bearing courses for a grade. Only the UNIV (zero credit) course may be taken pass/fail. Audit registration is not permitted on UD Travel Study. Please refer to the University Catalog to verify requirements and prerequisites. All students must enroll in at least 12 credits, as well as the 0-credit UNIV course.
POSC 481-070: Topics in Social Policy: Power, Inequality and Social Policy (3 credits)
POSC 483-070: Washington D.C. Policy Practicum (3 credits)
POSC 498-070: Capstone Internship (6 credits)
Satisfies the following requirements:
  • Other: Capstone
UAPP 300-070: Public Policy Field Experience (6 credits)
UAPP 433-070: Washington D.C. Policy Practicum (3 credits)
UAPP 481-070: Topics in Social Policy: Power, Inequality and Social Policy (3 credits)
UNIV 371-018: Study Abroad - Washington, D.C. (0 credits) pass/fail
Satisfies the following requirements:
  • Discovery Learning


Program Costs:

How much does it cost?.
Delaware ResidentNon-Delaware Resident
Estimated Tuition based on current year$7,300.00$19,595.00
Final Program Fee$420.00$420.00
UD Registration & Activities Fee$0.00$0.00
Total to be charged to UD account (estimated)$7,720.00$20,015.00
Plus Airfare Estimate (purchased separately)$(TBD)$(TBD)

The rates above may not apply to you if you are a UD graduate student during the time you are studying abroad. Please refer to http://www1.udel.edu/finaid/rates.html for the appropriate rates.


When and how do I pay?
If you are offered acceptance to the program, you will have 3 days to withdraw without financial penalty. After the 3 days have passed, you will be officially accepted to the program, and IGS will post the full Program Fee and Tuition/Fees to your UD student account.

*All students will receive an email when they are accepted to a program and will have 10 days from that notification to make their $1,000.00 Initial Payment.


Contact Information:
Philip Barnes
Faculty Director
Biden School of Public Policy and Administration
pbarnes@udel.edu



Deadlines:
Submit Program Application by 5pm on June 01, 2024
Recommendation also due by 5pm on June 01, 2024
Acceptance and Scholarship Announced: October 02, 2024

Please note that this program is highly competitive and will accept only a limited number of applicants. Interview appointments and acceptance decisions are at the discretion of the faculty director.



Interest Meetings:
03/18/2024, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM, Graham Hall Room 176
03/19/2024, 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM, Graham Hall Room 185
03/20/2024, 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM, Zoom Link: https://udel.zoom.us/j/92032770962
03/21/2024, 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM, Zoom Link: https://udel.zoom.us/j/93725143412
04/29/2024, 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM, Zoom Link: https://udel.zoom.us/j/91046168812
04/30/2024, 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM, Zoom Link: https://udel.zoom.us/j/99868830975


Program information is subject to change at any time. Please check this web site periodically for updates.