Clemson Center for Career and Professional Development

Washington DC Internship Programs

Intern in Washington, D.C. through One of Our Partnerships

Are you interested in an internship in the Washington, D.C. area but don’t know how to start? Good news! We have several partner programs and a relationship with the Clemson Club of Baltimore/Washington D. that connect students with opportunities in the D.C. area.


See our Washington, D.C. Internship Packet for a printable version of this information.


Option 1: Networking with the Clemson Club of Baltimore/Washington DC

The Baltimore/Washington, D.C. region is home to one of the largest concentrations of Clemson alumni in the country. The Clemson Club of Baltimore/Washington DC brings together alumni in the area to network with each other, promote Clemson University to prospective students and the region as a whole, and send representatives to campus to serve on University boards and events such as Tigers go to Washington.


Whether you are looking for an internship or full-time position in the Washington, D.C. area, the Clemson Club is here to help connect you with their alumni members. When alumni members have opportunities within their companies, they will contact Elizabeth Jackson to post the opportunities within ClemsonJobLink. See “Application” in the section below for directions on finding those opportunities. If you accept a position and would like to enroll in an internship course, see the table below for pertinent information.


Clemson Club of Baltimore/Washington DC

Rachel Wilker

Clemson University
Program Contact

Troy Nunamaker, Center for Career & Professional Development
Brittany Neely, Center for Career & Professional Development

Affiliation

Clemson University

Optional Coursework

Part-time internships: INT 1010
Full-time internships: INT 2010
Academic internship course through academic department

Clemson University
Financial Aid Contact

Gail Woods, Financial Aid Office

Financial Aid

The INT 2010 course will mostly likely just put a “hold” on a student’s scholarships and maintain his/her student enrollment status. However, students MUST check with the Financial Aid Office for verification. The Center for Career and Professional Development CANNOT verify a student’s financial aid package. Students enrolled in an academic Internship course need to also talk with financial aid.

Fees

INT 1010 or INT 2010 has a $200 course registration fee; Academic internship courses tuition fee may vary

Paid Internships

Paid and unpaid opportunities available

Enrollment Status

Enrolling in INT 2010 or academic course will maintain your enrollment with Clemson University

Room/Board

Housing and board is the responsibility of the student. 
Students are encouraged to also look into the Washington Intern Student Housing (WISH), an intern and student housing program for students who seek a community of interns while in Washington, D.C.

Application

  1. Log into ClemsonJobLink
  2. Search “Tigers go to Washington” in the employer field
  3. View the “Tigers go to Washington” position description
  4. Contact the Clemson alumnus or parent listed with the company you’re interested in to learn more about their internship/full-time opportunities

Option 2: The Fund for American Studies/Capital Semester in Washington

Since 1967, The Fund for American Studies (TFAS) has been a leader in educating young people from around the world in the fundamental principles of American democracy and our free market system. TFAS has been the launching pad for over 15,000 students who have participated in their programs in Washington, D.C. and around the world in Asia, Europe and South America.


Students choose one internship concentration:


  • Leadership & the American Presidency
  • Political Journalism
  • International Affairs & Public Policy
  • International Affairs
  • Journalism & Communications
  • Public Policy & Economics
  • Service & Community Leadership
  • Business & Government Affairs
  • Legal Studies
  • International Programs

TFAS has partnered with George Mason University to provide academic coursework and George Washington University for on-campus housing (optional). In addition, TFAS plans social and networking events, provides professional development seminars, matches you with a mentor in your field of interest, and offers general support services during your internship. For more information on participating, see the table below.


TFAS Program Contact

Chase Forrester

Clemson University
Program Contact

Troy Nunamaker, Center for Career & Professional Development
Brittany Neely, Center for Career & Professional Development

Affiliation

George Washington University and George Mason University
DCInternships.org

Coursework

12 hours transferred from George Mason University
(ECON 309, GVT 422, ECON 496);
Enrollment in Clemson’s INT 2010 will maintain your           student status with Clemson

Clemson University
Financial Aid Contact

Gail Woods, Financial Aid Office

Financial Aid
Partnership

Scholarship monies can be used for this program. The money is released after classes have started. Grades do affect scholarship GPA requirements. Funds can potentially be released for summer sessions if the fall or spring funds have not been used.

Fees

About $15,500, but there is an automatic 10% Clemson discount and $500 - $5,000 scholarships are available based on need and merit. There is a $200 registration fee for INT 2010.

Paid Internships

Mostly unpaid

Enrollment Status

Full-time through George Mason University; however, it is strongly encouraged to maintain enrollment status at Clemson University by enrolling in Clemson’s INT 2010 off-campus internship course

Room/Board

Fully furnished housing provided for TFAS students

Application

Students should have a 3.0 or higher GPA to apply
Application


Option 3: Washington Semester Program

Established in 1947, the Washington Semester Program pairs academic and experiential learning with an internship at one of D.C.’s many influential institutions. As part of American University’s School of Professional and Extended Studies, students will enroll in a seminar course, an internship course, and have the option to enroll in research or elective courses offered by American University. In addition to academics, students will intern with D.C. area organizations and network with experts and leaders in the area.


Students choose one internship concentration:


  • American Politics
  • Foreign Policy
  • Global Economics & Business
  • International Law & Organizations
  • Journalism & New Media
  • Justice & Law • Sustainable Development

For more information on participating, see the table below.


American University Program Contact

Samara Chamble, Asst. Director
 Admissions Email

Clemson University
Program Contact

Troy Nunamaker, Center for Career & Professional Development
Brittany Neely, Center for Career & Professional Development

Affiliation

American University

Coursework

12-17 credit hours for spring and fall semesters (4 credit hours of internship, 8 credit hours or seminar, and 3-4 credit hours of electives or research) and either 3 or 6 credit hours for summer semester. Enrollment in Clemson’s INT 2010 will maintain your student status with Clemson.

Clemson University
Financial Aid Contact

Gail Woods, Financial Aid Office

Financial Aid
Partnership

Based on academic merit and financial need ranging from $500 - $1,000

Fees

Spring and fall tuition costs approximately $16,000 (plus $1,000 for student fees and insurance). Summer tuition costs approximately $4,100 for 3 credit hour or $8,100 for 6 credit hours (plus approximately $500 for insurance).
There is a $200 registration fee for INT 2010.

Paid Internships

Mostly unpaid

Enrollment Status

Full-time through American University; however, it is strongly encouraged to maintain enrollment status at Clemson University by enrolling in INT 2010 off-campus internship course.

Room/Board

Spring and fall semester university housing is available for $5,200 - $6,700 (meal plans range from $1,500-$1,800). Summer semester university housing is available or $280 - $350 per week (meal plans range from $450 -$850).

Application

Students must be recommended by Clemson University


Option 4: University of South Carolina Washington Semester Program

The South Carolina Washington Semester Internship Program (WSP) gives students in universities and colleges across the state of South Carolina the opportunity to spend a semester working and taking classes in Washington DC, gaining valuable experience while earning academic credit toward their degrees. Fellows will network with professionals in the region, attend important D.C. events (e.g. White House arrival ceremonies for visiting head of states, joint sessions of Congress, Presidential inauguration ceremonies, arguments before the Supreme Court), tour D.C. monuments and museums, and experience life the nation’s capital.


The South Carolina Congressional Delegation (7 Representatives, 2 Senators) provides the core of internship placements; however, fellows are allowed to intern in executive, judicial, or private section offices. For more information on participating, see the table below.


University of South Carolina Program Contact

Julie Hutt

Clemson University
Program Contact

Troy Nunamaker, Center for Career & Professional Development
Brittany Neely, Center for Career & Professional Development

Affiliation

University of South Carolina

Coursework

15 hours transferred from USC;
Enrollment in Clemson’s INT 2010 will maintain your student status with Clemson.

Clemson University
Financial Aid Contact

Gail Woods, Financial Aid Office

Financial Aid
Partnership

Scholarships are applied to your tuition bills before the semester begins in order for you to pay what your scholarships don’t cover. Grades do affect scholarship GPA requirements. Funds can potentially be released for summer sessions if the fall or spring funds have not been used.

Fees

Tuition is approximately $6,000 for SC residents and $15,000 for non-residents. Housing is approximately an additional $5,000.
There is a $200 registration fee for INT 2010.

Paid Internships

$2,500 stipend. Almost all of the internships reside “on the Hill.”

Enrollment Status

Maintained through 15 hours of USC coursework - 9 of the credit hours are through internship and 6 credit hours are through traditional coursework. It is strongly encouraged to maintain enrollment status at Clemson University by enrolling in INT 2010 off-campus internship course.

Room/Board

Included (via a partnership with WISH)

Application

There is an application process and the program limits enrollment to 14 – 17 students every semester. Students should be involved in the Honors College OR have a 3.5 GPA or higher to apply.  

Washington Intern Student Housing (WISH) Contact

WISH Housing

Option 5: College to Congress - C2C

Our program is open to students from all political parties. We believe that careers in Congress need to be more accessible for low-income young leaders - whether they identify as Republican, Democrat, or Independent.  We accept applications from college juniors and seniors (at the time of applying).

Students must also meet one of the following criteria:

  • Be eligible for the Pell Grant

  • Have DACA status

  • Receive financial aid as a student with disabilities

For more information, find us online at https://www.collegetocongress.org/.

College to Congress
Program Contact

Audrey Henson

Clemson University
Program Contact

Troy Nunamaker, Center for Career & Professional Development
Brittany Neely, Center for Career & Professional Development

How C2C Helps

C2C secures an internship position for students in a congressional office,
and advocates for students whose chances of landing an internship might otherwise be low. C2C pairs each student with a mentor to make sure they have the guidance and support they need. The non-profit organization covers all costs associated with interning on Capitol Hill.

How to Qualify

Applicants must be U.S. citizens, 18 years of age on or before the first day of the internship, and meet the following criteria:

  1. You must have completed your sophomore year and be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program at a college, community college, or university (two-to-four year institution).
  2. You must qualify for FAFSA Federal Aid (Pell Grant). A Student Aid Report (SAR) will be required as proof of your FAFSA eligibility.

Optional Coursework

Part-time internships: INT 1010
Full-time internships: INT 2010
Academic internship course through academic department

Clemson University
Financial Aid Contact

Gail Woods, Financial Aid Office

Fees

NONE

Paid Internships

Internship dependent

Enrollment Status

Enrolling in INT 2010 or academic course will maintain your enrollment with Clemson University

Room/Board

Housing, food, and professional clothing allowance provided

Application

Apply at: http://www.collegetocongress.org/apply


For more information about any of these programs, contact Brittany Neely, Assistant Director of Graduate Programs and Off-Campus Internships at bnewsom@clemson.edu.