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View of Capitol Hill in Washington DC

Spring Semester in Washington, D.C.

UD Spring Semester in Washington, D.C.: youtube.com/watch?v=sb1ieXSeO-o

The University of Delaware Spring Semester in Washington, D.C., study abroad program gives all UD undergraduate upperclassmen, regardless of major, the opportunity to live, work, and learn in the heart of the nation’s capital for the entire spring semester. ​

Students​​ accepted into the program as Washington D.C. Fellows:​

  • Intern in a placement of their choice and receive six credits for their work and experience
  • Take two in-classroom courses that cover the American policy-making ecosystem, democratic institutions and governance, and civil discourse
  • Connect and take courses with students​ from the Colin Powell School of Public Policy at the City College of New York (CCNY), which runs an identical program
  • Participate in a series of meetings that offer a unique insight into the Washington D.C. policy ecosystem
  • Live together in University-provided housing in the heart of Washington, D.C.​​

Application Timeline

  • ​​Applications are due around June 1 to participate in the following spring’s program. 2025 program applications are now closed.
  • Acceptance is competitive and based on a written application and an in-person interview with the program's Faculty Director.​​

Cost

 

  • ​Typically, it is around $1,000 (in addition to normal tuition costs).
  • The cost includes housing, utilities, several planned excursions in D.C., and METRO fares.

 

Financial Assistance

 

faculty contact

Philip Barnes

Program Faculty Director
pbarnes@udel.edu
 

The Spring Semester in Washington, D.C. program is jointly sponsored by the Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy and Administration, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) Ithaca Initiative, the Biden Institute, the Institute for Public Administration (IPA), and the Center for Global Programs and Services.​​

Past internship placements have included:

  • The White House
  • Capitol Hill congressional offices and committees
  • The Supreme Court of the United States
  • Amnesty International
  • National Public Radio
  • Advocacy and lobbying firms​​​​

Past ​​g​uest lecturers have included:

  • Current U.S. President (then-Vice President) Joe Biden
  • Senior Political Advisor to the President
  • A former U.S. Secretary of State
  • A former CIA operative
  • The founder and director of a national children's advocacy group
  • Capitol Hill reporters and journalists
  • Professional lobbyists

meet the 2024 DC fellows

Spring 2024 Fellow

Sasha Altman​​

Junior double-majoring in environmental studies and public policy with a minor in French.​
 
  • Hometown: Livingston, NJ
  • Internship placement: D.C. Legislative and Regulatory Services​ (DCLRS)
Spring 2024 Fellow

Bradley Graybeal

Junior majoring in art history with minors in museum studies, history and art.​
 
  • Hometown: Wilmington, Delaware​
  • Internship placement: U.S. Capitol Historical Society
Spring 2024 Fellow

Devin Jiang

Junior majoring in public policy.
 
  • Hometown: Wilmington, Delaware
  • Internship placement: Office of Management and Budget, The White House
Spring 2024 Fellow

Julianna Morgillo

Junior double-majoring in political science and Spanish studies​ with a minor in public policy.
 
  • Hometown: Westchester County, New York​
  • Internship placement: U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)
Spring 2024 Fellow

Kylie Tugend

Junior double-majoring in environmental studies and public policy.
 
  • Hometown: Nazareth, Pennsylvania
  • Internship placement: Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI)
Spring 2024 Fellow

Alex Dewey

Senior double-majoring in public policy and political science with a minor in economics.​
 
  • Hometown: Felton, Delaware
  • Internship placement: National Institute for Civil Discourse (NICD)
Spring 2024 Fellow

Jonathan Hezel

Junior double-majoring in political science and English with a minor in history.​
 
  • Hometown: Holland, Pennsylvania
  • Internship placement: Office of Speechwriting, The White House
Spring 2024 Fellow

Alexandra Mavridis

Junior double-majoring in international relations and European studies​ with minors in legal studies and public policy.
 
  • Hometown: New Castle, Delaware
  • Internship placement: Office of U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-DE)
Spring 2024 Fellow

Jared Nachmias

Junior double-majoring in political science and history.
 
  • Hometown: Syosset, New York​
  • Internship placement: Office of U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY)
Spring 2024 Fellow

Ayla Wallace

Junior double-majoring in international relations and public policy.
 
  • Hometown: Newark, Delaware
  • Internship placement: Office of U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-DE)

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