Maryland Higher Education Commission

The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars 

State funding is provided for Maryland students to participate in internships through the Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars. The Center is a nonprofit organization that for more than 25 years has been dedicated to providing undergraduates with high quality, carefully supervised internships in the nation’s capital. The Center has grants from nine states to provide outstanding students with scholarship funds that pay for program costs. The Center contributes its own funds—secured through corporate donations and participating federal agencies—to Maryland students to assist with the cost of housing, if the students opt to stay in Washington Center housing. Students must be able to receive academic credit from their home institution in order to participate. Student interns are placed in such places as the U.S. Department of Education, the Department of Transportation, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Internships are awarded through a competitive application process, with some specialized internships requiring a high minimum grade point average or early application to complete security clearances. Participating students take at least one academic seminar while working approximately three-quarter time in the internship. They also attend breakfast seminars with Congressional leaders and are required to attend and complete assignments related to a speakers series, which includes guests such as ambassadors and other governmental and business leaders. Campus liaisons work with Washington Center representatives to recruit appropriately qualified students.

For more information, see http://www.twc.edu/