The Washington, D.C. Internship Program offers students in the Health Sciences and Public Health a unique curriculum and internship opportunity, giving them the chance to gain valuable professional experience in the field of health policy. Although known primarily as the capital of American politics, Washington, D.C., plays a pivotal role, both nationally and internationally, in business, law, the sciences, public relations, media, and the arts.
Requirements & Considerations
- All students must enroll according to, and remain in compliance with, the Boston University Study Abroad Course Load Policy.
- Boston University Students Only
- Admissions requirements for all programs
Curriculum
Students enroll in one required course, two elective courses, and a four-credit internship practicum that includes a non-credit Hub co-curricular. Students work at their internship four days a week, and the BU courses are held in the evenings. Classes are taught at the BU Washington, D.C. Academic Center, both by distinguished scholars from the Boston University faculty and by part-time adjunct faculty chosen for their expertise in their fields. Students also have the option to take one or two classes at George Washington University as part of the program.
Note: Syllabi are for course approval and reference only. Students will receive up-to-date syllabi when their courses begin.
Required Courses
Study Abroad will enroll students in the required course, non-credit Hub co-curricular, and the four-credit internship practicum. Upon successful completion of the internship experience, students will fulfill the Hub area Individual in Community from the co-curricular HUB SA 330.
Required Course List
- CAS PO 203/COM CM 556 Strategies for Issue Development and Policy Change (4)
- Formerly CAS PO 321/COM CM 556
- Focuses on the specialized forms of communication that political professionals use to win public support for their issues, candidates, and policy positions; and teaches concrete planning skills for those interested in influencing public policy using both inside and outside (or grassroots) strategies.
Elective Courses
Students enroll in two additional courses offered by the BU Washington Center or through George Washington University.
BU Washington Center Elective List
- CAS HI 281/CAS IR 356/CAS PO 201 American Governance: Foreign Affairs (4 credits)
- Formerly CAS HI/IR/PO 356
- Overview of American presidencies of the late twentieth century, specifically considering how politics relates to foreign policy in America. Concepts including isolationism, manifest destiny, moralism, rule of law, national self-interest, and terrorism are discussed. Special focus on Iraq and Afghanistan.
- Syllabus
- CAS HI 327/CAS PO 204 The Modern US Senate: From Collaboration to Confrontation
- Examines the history of the US Senate with a special focus on increasing partisanship since WWII. Addresses major policy issues and landmark pieces of legislation as well as the lives and legacies of prominent individual Senators. Includes guest lecturers.
- Syllabus
- CAS IR 324/PO 280 American Policymaking in the Global Era: American Grand Strategy and Decision Making in a Rapidly Changing Global Environment (4)Effective
Fall '23- This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas
- Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy
- Oral and/or Signed Communication
- Course examines American international economic decision-making in a changing global economy and addresses current theories of International Political Economy with respect to trade, finance, and the development of global corporations. Explores how American policy shaped the post-World War II global economy.
- Syllabus
- This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas
- CAS IR 391/PO 246 Democracy in the 21st Century: Reality and Reinvention (4)Effective
Fall '23- This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas
- Creativity/Innovation
- Ethical Reasoning
- Social Inquiry 1
- Comparative perspective on the history of democracy and democratization. Explores conditions, catalysts, and processes of democratic change with a focus on current trends in the democratization debate. Special focus on Iran as a case study.
- Syllabus
- This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas
- CAS PO 202 Introduction to Congressional Policy Making (4)
- Formerly CAS PO 406
- The purpose of this course is for the student to gain a working knowledge of the US Congress, from both a theoretical and a practical perspective. The course features assigned readings and lectures as well as guest speakers, current periodicals, and in-class discussions.
- Syllabus
- COM CM 305 Public Relations Inside the Beltway (4)
- Provides students with an overview of professional principles and practice for public relations in the Washington area with a special emphasis on governmental public relations. Includes an examination of the history, organization, and scope of the public relations field throughout the nation and in D.C. Theories, strategies, and tactics of current public relations practice are emphasized as well as opportunities and requirements for work in the field.
- Syllabus
George Washington University Elective List
- PubH 3131 Epidemiology, 3 credits (fulfill SAR HS 300)
- PubH 3132 Health and Environment, 3 credits (fulfill SAR HS 345)
- PubH 3133 Global Health & Development, 3 credits (SAR HS 363 in both the public health minor & HS major; or public health minor elective)
Internship Placement
Washington, D.C. staff interview students and guide them in securing their internships. Placements are based on the student’s academic training, previous work experience, intellectual objectives, and unique Washington, D.C., opportunities.
Internship Course
Study Abroad will enroll students in a non-credit Hub co-curricular and a four-credit internship course, which includes a classroom component. The internship seminar meets weekly; it complements the internship experience by helping students understand Washington culture and hot-button topics in the nation's capital while grooming them for the possibilities of a career in Washington. Placements are contingent upon the students’ experience, professional interests, and relevant academic history, as well as the availability of opportunities in any given semester; flexibility is essential. Upon successful completion of the internship experience, students will receive a Hub unit in the area Individual in Community from the co-curricular HUB SA 330.
- Non-credit Hub Co-curricular: HUB SA 330 Study Abroad Internship
- This course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area:
- Individual in Community
- This course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area:
- SAR HS 405 Health Sciences Practicum (4)
Housing & Student Services
Program Residence
- Students live in apartments, sharing kitchens, bathrooms, and living areas.
- Bedrooms are double occupancy.
- Limited single rooms may be available for an additional charge.
- The apartments are centrally located, near a DC metro stop.
- Board is not included. However, there are many nearby grocery stores and restaurants.
- Students have full access to amenities offered through this centrally located apartment complex, including a seasonal rooftop pool, internet and onsite laundry facilities.
Program Dates
- Fall Semester: late August to mid-December
- Spring Semester: mid-January to mid-May
Application Timeline
This program follows rolling admissions and may fill before the official deadline.
Fall Semester
- Applications Open December 15
- Applications Deadline April 1
Spring Semester
- Applications Open June 1*
- Applications Deadline November 1
This program is rolling admissions; applications are reviewed once all application materials are received, prior to all deadlines. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that all required materials are received by the BU Study Abroad office. Students are encouraged to apply as early as possible as some programs and internship tracks have limited space and may fill up before the deadline. Submitting a complete application prior to the application deadline, does not guarantee acceptance. Students will be emailed an admissions decision within three weeks of a completed application.
Information for BU Students Awaiting an Admissions Decision and exceptions to the standard admission calendar for all students can be found here.
Cost & Financial Considerations
- 2024/2025 Tuition & Fees: $39,834
Cost includes tuition, housing, program related activities, and administrative fee. - Budget sheet, including cost of living expenses.
- Grants and Scholarships available
