The Politics & Journalism Semester is a program of the Washington Center for Politics & Journalism. The Center brings 8-10 college student journalists, whose career goal is political reporting, to Washington for a Summer and a Fall semester each year (no Winter/Spring semester, beginning in 2015.)
Students learn about campaign, governance and interest group politics in twice-weekly seminars, featuring political consultants and operatives, elected and party officials, and national political journalists. They receive practical experience and exposure to national politics as reporting interns in major Washington news bureaus.
Duration
Two classes are conducted each year, summer, 8 weeks in June and July, and fall, 12 weeks from September to November. (Beginning in 2015 our former winter/spring semesters are being replaced by the summer term.)
$750/month Stipend, No Tuition or Fees
Students each receive a $750/month stipend to assist with the cost of locating and living in Washington, DC. They pay no tuition or other fees. Students must make their own Washington living arrangements.
Student Obligations
Students accepted for a program are obligated to work full time for news bureaus to which they are assigned, and to attend all seminars.
Academic Credit
Academic credit for the semester is assigned at the discretion of each student's school.
Endowed Internships
Friends of well-known figures in national journalism and politics have helped support The Politicis & Journalism Semester for many years, with commemorative donations. Their gifts honor the lives of the former dean of White House correspondents, Helen Thomas; Tony Payton, a former journalist and Republican political consultant; and political analyst and Democratic political operative Alan Baron, a native of Sioux City, Iowa.
Qualifications
The program is open to undergraduates, graduate students and recent (within one or two years) graduates; participants must be at least second term juniors. Applicants must demonstrate substantial interest in political journalism as a career goal. Strong preference is given to those with reporting, writing and producing experience at school or other papers and broadcast outlets. Published writing samples (from college or other publications) are essential for print-oriented students.
Application and Selection
Apply online here: http://www.wcpj.org/.
The application deadline for the 8-week summer program (June–July) is March 6.
The application deadline for the 12-week fall program (September-November) is April 17.
Students selected for a fall semester are notified by late April, Summer class members by mid-March.