The UC Washington Academic Internship Program

The UC Washington Academic Internship Program offers qualified undergraduate students from any major an exciting opportunity to combine course work, field research and work experience during a quarter's residence in our nation's capital.

While in Washington, students live in a residential college with 250 students from nine University of California campuses Berkeley, Davis, Irvine, Los Angeles, Merced, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz and Riverside. The UC Washington Center includes student apartments, classrooms, computer facilities, staff offices, and meeting spaces and is located in central Washington, D.C.

Students are registered for the quarter in Washington as UCR students; academic credit is earned for courses taken. Students divide their weekly schedules among classes taught by University of California faculty from all UC Campuses, seminar, research projects and internships. For the summer term, only the academic internship is available.

Students have an opportunity to enroll in up to four courses (equaling up to 16 units of credit): an internship, a seminar, and an elective or research project. The centerpiece of the program is the internship, which can be selected from a stunning array of possibilities. A list of typical placements might include the following areas: Environmental Policy, Arts, Theatre, Museums, and Art Administration, International Affairs, Law and Justice, Congress, Economic Policy, Elections, Political Parties, and Action Groups, Human Services and Social Policy, Press and the Media.

All UCR students enroll in a 4-8 unit internship course (198I) supervised by a UCR faculty member identified before the student leaves for DC. The faculty member assigns academic work in addition to the required 24-hours of site work required by the UCDC program.

Additionally, all UCR students enroll in a 4-unit seminar course, which serves as a weekly forum for students to share and enhance their knowledge of living and working in Washington, DC. Students also will read about, experience and analyze key Washington, DC sites in a multi-disciplinary context. The course features bi-weekly field trips to historical sites within the city and is taught by the UCR faculty member in residence at the Washington Center.

Students choose one upper-division elective course from a range of classes offered by faculty in residence from all the UC campuses. These electives are offered in several disciplines, including selections from the social and natural sciences, arts and humanities. All courses take advantage of Washington's unique resources for study and research.

The optional departmental independent research project enables students to produce a substantial research paper or project. (Students who choose the independent research project option are not required to enroll in an elective course.) Students design their projects with a UCR faculty member from their major department before leaving for D.C. The course features guidance meetings with the in-residence UCR TA to help the student with research direction, proofreading, and other writing advice.

The Washington Center also features special programs for students - tours of historic sites, trips to Philadelphia and New York, and guest speakers.

Comments by previous participants:

"The UCDC Program is definitely one of the best experiences I have ever had. I would definitely recommend this program to anyone....I cannot think of a better way to close out my years as an undergraduate." ...Anand Mandalaywala

"With no regrets, I loved the program. Washington, D.C. is an amazing metropolitan city filled with opportunities. I really look forward to returning to Washington, DC!" ...Carmen Mireles

"I would highly recommend the UCDC program. It gave me an opportunity to gain valuable work experience through an internship at the Food and Drug Administration. ...Overall the UCDC program was a great experience and one of the highlights of my time spent at UCR." ...Ola Bawardi

"The UCDC experience was very exceptional. It has definitely changed the ways in which I perceive ideas." ...Kaori Nagao

"It was wonderful to be in the nation's capitol among influential individuals who shape policy and chart a course for the future. Also, I was extremely proud to have interned at the United Nations, an internationally renowned organization that is selflessly devoted to humanitarian aid. The people I met from UCR, as well as the other UC campuses, made the experience an incredible one that I will never forget and gave me the opportunity to form lasting friendships." ...Nazneen Talati