The University of California extends its mission of service, teaching, and research to the nation's capital. The UC Washington Center (UCDC) is a multi-campus residential, instructional and research center that provides students and faculty from the University of California with opportunities to study, research, intern, and live within Washington’s rich cultural, political, and international heritage. The program is housed in an 11-story building in a lively neighborhood a short walk from the White House with room for more than 270 students.

The two main components of the UCDC program are an internship and research seminar. Students spend 24-32 hours each week at their internships. Washington, D.C. offers a wide array of internship possibilities, from working on Capitol Hill or in a government agency to interning for a major media outlet, a nonprofit organization, or a cultural institution. Internship placements are selected by students based on their interests, with the assistance of UCDC program staff as needed.

Students also attend a weekly research seminar. An essential part of the Washington program, the seminar enables students to draw on Washington’s rich variety of research opportunities to complete a research paper on a subject related to their internships.  In addition to the research seminar, students may also opt to take one upper-division elective course from a range of classes offered by faculty at the Washington Center. 

Interested students should contact Ashley Bayman at: globallearning@ucsc.edu

Information about the online application process can be found here.

Keywords: Washington Center; instructional center; UCDC; research center; internships; work experience; research papers; academic courses

Contact: Ashley Bayman (globallearning@ucsc.edu)