The Washington Summer Study Program is designed to provide students with an opportunity to live and work in the Washington, D.C., area while earning academic credit. Each student will serve in a Congressional office, on a committee staff, in a government agency, in a nonprofit organization, or with a public affairs group. In addition to the work experience, the faculty moderator will conduct seminars and arrange supplemental meetings with alumni(ae) and other professionals to enhance the learning experience.

This program is available to students from any major. Many students choose to work with a Senate or House office or with lobbyists and government relations firms. Economics majors can intern with the World Bank, IMF, or numerous other financial institutions. Peace Studies majors on the program have worked for human rights organizations and non-governmental organizations working in international development. Environmental Studies majors can work for the EPA or environmental policy organizations. Others might consider journalism internships, or internships within the federal bureaucracy. Natural Science majors can work for a health policy group and fine arts and humanities majors might think of interning with organizations such as the National Endowment for the Arts. There are literally thousands of internships in Washington DC. They are competitive but we assist you through the application process.

Apply for the 2024 D.C. Summer Study Program

For information about the 2024 Program contact Claire Haeg or Matt Lindstrom.

2023 Washington, D.C. Summer Study Program Recap

For its 44^th year, the CSB+SJU Washington, D.C. Summer Study Program had six students living and working on Capitol Hill and surrounding areas.  The students began their journey in the Fall of 2022 by applying to the program, identifying, and completing applications to numerous internships sites, and taking part in seminars to prepare for the trip.  The DC Program is lead by two political science professors, and as they receive academic credit for the course, students complete weekly journals and participate in seminars with alumni and friends of the program. 

The year saw students are interning in a Representative’s office on Capitol Hill, learning advocacy and research skills working for a political party organization, and discovering the power of member-building and public relations from industry associations. The program allows students to build on the skills that they have developed in their undergraduate coursework, gain valuable professional experience, and to learn to live responsibly in an urban environment. 

Dr. Claire Haeg and Dr. Jim Read co-directed the program, and arranged seminars with more than twenty CSB+SJU alums as part of their seminar series. Students had lunch with General Nakasone (SJU ’86) Commander, U.S. Cyber Command and Director of the National Security Agency and Chief of Central Security Service. They have also had dinner with Kiyoshi Nakasaka (SJU '89), president and CEO of Washington CORE, meeting and talking with the Okinawa Delegation. They also had the opportunity to network with alumni at the CSB+SJU Alum Reception which was hosted by Steve Yurek (SJU '84), CEO of AHRI. 

As well as their work experiences and seminars, students explored the nation’s capital, enjoying visits to museums and galleries, a Nationals baseball game, and important historic sites.

 The DC Summer Study Program participants for 2023 are:

Kameron Banner, an SJU junior from Inglewood, California, majoring in Computer Science with a Neuroscience Minor is interning with The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute .

Caroline Wehseler, a CSB senior from Spicer, Minnesota, majoring in Political Science, is interning with The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute .

Clair Moonen, a CSB senior from Delano, Minnesota, majoring in Political Science, Pre-Law, and a minor in Ancient Mediterranean Studies, is interning with Representative Dean Phillips of Minnesota. 

Cullen McMahon, an SJU senior from Duluth, Minnesota, majoring in Political Science with a minor in Economics, is interning with Representative Dean Phillips of Minnesota.

Jennifer Agustin Ambrocio, a CSB senior from Bloomington, Minnesota, double majoring in Political Science and Hispanic Studies, is interning with the Democratic National Committee.

Eileen Otto, a CSB senior from Delano, Minnesota, majoring in Political Science with a minor in Communications, is interning with Primacy Strategy Group.