Located in Old Town Alexandria, the Washington Semester is an eleven-week summer program that provides students the opportunity to acquire professional experience in a governmental agency or any relevent enterprise in the private or nonprofit sector. Along with the internship, the students will attend seminars that enable them to better understand their Washington Semester internship from a range of analytical perspectives. While the program is open to all majors, it is of special relevance for students with career interests in politics, public management, public policy, law, nonprofit, or private sectors.
Students receive twelve hours of academic credit for the program.
All students are placed in an internship with a public or nonprofit agency that requires 30 hours of work per week. Placements are based on each students' interests and professional goals. The emphasis placed on incorporating both theory and practice sets the Virginia Tech Washington Semester program apart from other Washington internship programs. For those living in the Gallery Apartment in Alexandria, the estimated monthly cost is indicated below. The Gallery Apartment do have kitchens.