PREREQUISITES:

Introductory course in American Government

One additional 300-level course in American government

Junior or Senior class standing

By application, maximum of 16 students

Applications will be accepted from all University at Albany students (including non-majors) who meet the prerequisites by the end of the fall

Preference is given to political science Honors Program participants

Selections are based on GPA, writing sample (previously written paper) and an interview

Go to Application

Students will pay their normal tuition to the University at Albany.

In addition to normal tuition, the program's fees will have a net cost of less than $300

(The program's surcharge is $750. However, the University at Albany will waive the comprehensive fee that pays for items the program's students will not be using. This fee amounted to half of the $750 surcharge.)

Other additional costs are for housing (see below) and daily commuting.

HOUSING

Housing information will be available before each year's application deadline. In the past years, our students have lived in a very comfortable suburban Virginia complex under the auspices of the Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars.

FINANCIAL AID IS AVAILABLE

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS:

Students must enroll in POS 341, POS 342 and either POS 495Z or POS 499Z (permission required).

Honors students who wish to enroll in POS 495Z and use it for their Honors Essay must also enroll in POS 400 for one credit. Students who wish to write an Honors Essay with a different advisor may enroll in POS 499Z, with the advance permission of both the advisor and the professor who teaches 495. Students who enroll in 499 will be expected to participate in the seminar meetings for 495.

POS 341: Washington in Perspective. This course uses current government and politics to evaluate political science treatments of the subject. Specific topics will vary. 3 credits. A-E grading. Counts toward a POS major or minor.

POS 342: Washington Internship. 9 credits. S/U grading. Does not count toward a POS major or minor.

POS 495Z: Research and Writing in Washington. Students will write a long, multi-draft research paper that will proceed through stages lasting throughout the semester. 3 credits, A-E grading. This course is required of all Washington Semester students except those who enroll in POS 499Z with advance permission.

Honors Essay Options: Honors Students who wish to use POS 495Z for their Honors Essay will also enroll in POS 400 for one additional credit. It is expected that students who take this option will work with the Washington Semester professor on topic development during the preceding semester. Honors students who wish to work with a different faculty advisor may substitute POS 499Z for POS495Z. This requires the advance approval of the faculty advisor and Washington Semester professor and also presupposes some work with the faculty advisor during the preceding semester. Students who enroll in 499Z will be expected to participate in the class sessions for 495Z.