The JMU Washington Semester program is open to all majors and enables students to explore the wealth of professional and cultural opportunities available in the Washington, D.C. area.
The Program Highlights
- semester-length internships
- on-site courses at the JMU Washington Center
- career panels with professionals across sectors
- curated cultural activities around D.C.
- JMU-arranged housing in a vibrant, centrally located D.C. neighborhoods
- networking with JMU alumni in the D.C. area.
“JMU provided the opportunity to get to know myself as an individual, but Washington Semester opened the door to my future as a professional.”
– Kirsten Kazlauskas (’09), Government of Quebec in Washington
Semester Options and Courses:
All participants - fall or spring - complete a 1-credit career-readiness course in the second block of the preceding spring semester.
Fall: U.S. Politics & Policy (12 credits)
Combine a 6-credit internship course with two 3-credit courses:
- POSC 301W: The Washington Experience
- POSC 351W: Topics in American Politics
Spring: Global Affairs (12 credits)
Combine a 6-credit internship course with two 3-credit courses:
- POSC/INTA 301W: The Washington Experience
- POSC 371W: Topics in Comparative Politics
Not majoring in political science, international affairs, or public administration? The Washington Semester program is open to all majors. Talk with your home department about how the internship and coursework can apply to your academic plan - many departments approve course substitutions. Recent cohorts included students majoring in justice studies, communication studies, biology, history, finance, philosophy and religion, psychology, economics, and English. All reported productive, career-building expereicnes.
Classrooms and faculty offices are located at the JMU Washington Center, the university’s home in the nation’s capital. Only 10 minutes from the Dupont Circle Metro station, the JMU Washington Center is centrally located to many internship opportunities in D.C.
Application Deadlines (2026-2027)
Early Decision: November 18, 2025
Regular Admission: February 18, 2026
NOTE: The program may reach capacity during the Early Decision process. Applications submitted by the February 18 deadline will be considered on a space-available basis. To maximize your chances of admission, we strongly encourage you to apply by the November deadline.
Questions? Email Dr. Edward Yang at yangyx@jmu.edu
Program Details
- JMU-arranged housing is located near the Gallery Place/Chinatown Metro station.
- Neighborhood features restaurants, museums and shops, and Capital One Arena (formerly known as the Verizon Center). The National Mall is a 20-minute walk away.
- Students live in 4-person, 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom apartments with shared kitchen and living area.
- Apartments are fully furnished, with in-unit washer/dryer, kitchen essentials, sheets, and towels. Wi-Fi is included.
- Students may arrange their own housing.
- Students will secure and pursue their own internships in politics, policy, the non-profit sector, political media, and related fields.
- Students work at their internships full-time Monday through Thursday; Friday mornings are reserved for the Washington Experience course (POSC 301W), which explores political and cultural opportunities in the DC area
- Past internships include House and Senate offices, government agencies, non-profit organizations, lobbying and strategic communications firms, advocacy groups, and media outlets. Past Internship Experiences
- JMU Tuition & Fees: for in-state and out-of-state students (view current tuition & fees) (Please go to the Cost of Attendance Calculator to see the estimated cost of attendance for your program of study)
- Housing: The housing fee is $5,500, including all utilities and wireless internet.
- Program fee: $300
- Metro fee: $115 (covers unlimited subway and bus transportation for the entire semester)
- Food and entertainment costs are not included
Need-based Scholarship Opportunity:
The Washington Semester awards a need-based scholarship to one student per term to cover the difference between the cost of participating in the program and a normal semester on campus. To be eligible, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) with JMU's Office of Financial Aid.
