The Washington Internship Program

Each fall term the Department sends about 15 students to Washington, D.C., for a combined internship/academic experience. This program is open to all TCU students regardless of major. The internships are arranged through our onsite partner - The Washington Center - which also offers college courses and other required academic programming for our students.  [For information on The Washington Center, visit its web page at http://www.twc.edu.]

Students receive 12 semester-hours of senior-level political science course credit for the successful completion of their supervised internship, which normally comprises a 4.5 day workweek. Students are also required to take an academic course there (to round out a 15 credit hour semester load), and they are required to participate in The Washington Center’s programming and events.

Admission to this program is competitive. Eligible students are those who will be juniors or seniors at the time of their internship, who will return to TCU for at least one semester before graduating, and who have at least a 3.00 GPA.  Students apply to the TCU program in the fall term one year prior to the fall term when they would be in Washington.  There is a noncredit preparatory seminar in the spring term before they go to Washington, and participation in this spring seminar is also a program requirements.  Beginning in the Fall 2006 term, Professor Joanne Green (j.green@tcu.edu) will be the director of this program.

For Application to the Washington Internship program at TCU, click here.



Alumnus Vanessa Van Auken states of the program:

"Point blank, my time in Washington, D.C. was the most exhilarating learning experience in all of my four years at TCU. My internship solidified my commitment to public service and showed me that despite the stereotype there really are caring and compassionate people serving our country."

 

Alumnus Federico E. Ranero states of the program:

"In my case, coming from a third world country, being part of corporate America at its highest level was something hard to believe. The Washington Center has given me the opportunity to do so, and most importantly, it has given me the opportunity to enrich myself through experiential education. I consider myself a more attractive and prepared candidate for future positions in my field, and I am sure you will feel the same way. I can proudly say that my career has taken a different path thanks to The Washington Center."

Alumnus Whitney Grey states of the program:

"The TCU Washington Internship Program was one of the highlights of my TCU career. My internship with the not for profit research organization, The Protection Project, allowed me to refine my research skills as well as learn about the international epidemic of human trafficking, especially of women and children. TCU's affiliation with The Washington Center gives students the ability to tour embassies, attend speaker events, and meet other students from around the globe. For any student interested in politics, domestic or international, there are endless opportunities in D.C. to satiate your curiosity!"




The London Internship Program

TCU's Center for International Studies: TCU Abroad has redefined its fall and spring semester program in London to provide students a broader collection of courses and opportunities to interact with international students and better align it with TCU programs located in Spain and Italy.  

The TCU in London program will partner with the University of Westminster, which is home to 4,000 international students from 160 countries. In addition to living on the Westminster campus, TCU students can enroll in a wide variety of courses such as the humanities and social sciences, natural sciences, business, computer science and the fine arts. Westminster professors will teach the classes.

"The new vision for TCU in London embraces important academic features of study abroad including TCU students taking course work with other international students and living on a university campus," said Jane Kucko, director of the Center for International Studies.  "The breadth of course offerings opens the door to more students from a variety of disciplines who can study in London."
Internship opportunities in London also will be available through Westminster. In addition, TCU faculty-led programs in London will continue over the summer. Typically, there are six to eight faculty-led programs and roughly 80 to 100 TCU students participating in these programs.

Other national universities partnering with Westminster include Butler, Cornell, Marymount and Skidmore universities and the University of Arizona.  For more information on CIS, contact Jane Kucko, Director or visit www.international.tcu.edu/intro.asp.

 

Legal lnternships (POSC 40950)

A small number of students can be placed at public or pro bono (not for profit) law-related offices in the Fort Worth/Dallas area. Three hours of academic credit (P/NC) are awarded in exchange for 150 hours of voluntary service over the course of a semester. Professor Jackson (d.w.jackson@tcu.edu) directs this program.


Civic Literacy Internships (POSC 40960)

 

Civic Literacy Internships require 150 hours of service with a local agency (governmental or non-governmental) to receive 3 hours of P/NC Political Science credit.  Recent internship placements include the City of Fort Worth Office of Community Relations, Judge Sharon Wilson, Sister Cities International, and Baylor All Saints.  Karen Anisman, Assistant Director of Civic Literacy, will work with students to find the appropriate placement and to complete their application materials.  If you are interested in pursuing a Civic Literacy Internship click here.

Civic Literacy Internships Student Testimonials

 

My internship with Judge Wilson allowed me to both see first hand exactly what transpires leading up to a defendant's court trial, and to become involved on a deeper level in developing a new court docket for Tarrant County. I was able to work with people at the local and state levels to finish the docket and gained insight into what a career would be in varying fields: being a Judge, District Attorney, Court Recorder, Bailiff, Prosecutor, Public Defender, Probation officer, among others. My internship provided me with an experience unlike any other for developing my educational, personal and career skills and goals. —Lily Toner

 

 

The Civic Literacy Lab was a great opportunity.  I was able to work in conjuction with the Fort Worth Transportation Authority to contribute towards positive changes in Fort Worth's mass transit system.  Through the work I performed I learned the importance of civic engagement and gained an interest in becoming active in my own community.  I now have confidence in my abilities to make a difference in the public policy arena. —Melissa Wilks

 

 

The main reason I decided to attend TCU was my desire for an education that would give me the skills and experience to prepare me for one day becoming a leader in the community. The Center for Civic Literacy accomplished both of these goals for me before my freshman year was even over! The lab section of the class taught me the ways and means of public policy, and gave myself and a group of students the chance to sponsor a campus-wide community service fair. The next semester I had an opportunity to intern with Fort Worth Sister Cities International where I planned and coordinated youth programs in which students from all over the world would participate! I believe that my experience with The Center for Civic Literacy, and the doors it has opened for me, will ensure that my next three years will be just as involved and fulfilling as my first. —Nate Arnold