Program Overview
When you join the Washington Semester Program at American University, you will be connected with an accredited top-ranked university with 70 years of experience providing college students from around the U.S. and the world with internships and seminars that align professional development with academic coursework.
Immerse yourself in a global environment while pursuing academic coursework and an internship in your field of interest.
Eligibility
- Declared major
- 3.0 cumulative GPA
- A minimum of 3 semesters of university coursework completed
- Completion of introductory coursework in the desired area of study (see seminar topics under Academics)
- Cannot be on academic or social probation
- IWU account must not be in arrears
For More Information
Important Notes
Application Process
There is a dual application process for this program. Students must apply to IWU for permission to study off-campus on this program. You have started the IWU application. At the same time, you will need to complete an application to the Washington Semester Program for admission. Please pay close attention to both the IWU and program deadlines, as they may be different.
Academics
As part of the Washington Semester, students participate in credit-bearing internship (1 IWU unit), two Washington Program seminars (2 IWU units total), and an elective course or research (0.75–1 IWU unit).
Seminar
Washington Semester seminars are cohort based and will include just Washington Semester Program students. Taught by American University faculty who are experts in their fields, the seminars involve extensive field study, using DC as a classroom. Students learn about the inner workings of non-profits, businesses, government agencies, and international organizations.
For the seminars, students select from one of the following concentrations:
- American Politics
- Foreign Policy
- Global Economics & Business
- International Law & Organizations
- Journalism & New Media
- Justice & Law
- Public Health Policy
- Sports Management & Media
- Sustainable Development
Internship
Participants intern three days a week at a diverse range of organizations, government agencies, businesses, or Fortune 500 companies in the DC-area. Internships. Once accepted into the program, participants have online access to over 3,500 internship organizations, receive internship and career advising from program staff, and participate in professional development events throughout the semester.
For a sample list of placement sites, visit the
Washington Semester Program website.
Research or Elective Course
Participants have the option of choosing to conduct a for-credit research project, using Washington as a laboratory of information, or to take an elective class at American University.
Housing & Meals
Students are housed in American University housing (subject to availability) and will be charged the same rate are regular full-time undergraduates. If university housing is unavailable, American University will assist students in locating suitable off-campus housing. More information about housing can be found on the
Washington Semester Program website.
Students living in on-campus AU housing are required to enroll in university meal plan. Students living in off-campus AU housing or independent housing may elect to purchase a reduced meal plan, though it is not required, and are otherwise responsible for their own meals.
Financial Info
Financial Aid and Scholarships
IWU allows students to use all federal, state, and institutional aid, as well as any external scholarships, toward one semester of domestic off-campus study. Students participating in the Washington Semester are also eligible to apply to American University for a program scholarship.
Additional assistance may be available. Students are encouraged to talk with the Financial Aid Office about loan options and to explore other outside scholarships.
IWU has a home-school tuition policy, which means that students studying abroad pay the regular IWU tuition -- unless the study abroad tuition is higher, in which case the student pays that higher cost.
Program Cost
Paid to IWU
| 2023-24 |
Per Semester |
| Tuition* |
$27,862 (AU's tuition is higher than IWU's) |
| Room |
$0 |
| Board |
$0 |
| Program Fee |
$0 |
| Subtotal - Paid to IWU |
$27,862 |
*For semester programs, you regular financial aid will be applied to the tuition portion of your bill (for one semester). Bills will be issued on their regular schedule and you can continue to pay in installments.
Estimated Additional Costs
| 2023-24 |
Per Semester |
| Airfare |
$300–$400 |
| Housing (double room)* |
$5750–$11700 |
| Meals* |
$550–$3065 (depends on the plan) |
| Local Transportation (UPass for unlimited Metrorail and Metrobus transportation) |
$136 |
| Misc. American University fees |
$265 |
| Personal Expenses/Miscellaneous** |
$1500 |
| Subtotal - Additional Costs |
$8,501–$16,866 |
*Assumes AU housing and meal plan.
**Spending amounts will vary by student and will be affected by how often a student goes out, travels, and the items they purchase.
Program fees and student expenses are based on preliminary estimates and are subject to change. Please contact the director of the program for more information.
