Find your career in Washington.
The St. Mary’s Washington Program (WP) is a prestigious career development initiative designed to help students apply to select internships in Washington DC.
The Washington Program’s mission is to enrich the professional development of St. Mary’s students through the use of internships and a unique alumni-mentorship program. Additionally, students can learn about the politics and policies of Washington D.C. and apply their knowledge to current events and their future careers.
As a result, over the course of one summer, St. Mary’s students will evolve into young professionals; therefore, obtaining the necessary career skills to excel in life beyond St. Mary’s College of Maryland.
About Us
In 2012, Political Science Professors Sahar Shafqat and Matt Fehrs noticed that St. Mary’s College of Maryland’s students were not getting enough career preparation to succeed in a competitive job market. They also saw that SMCM had a big advantage that many colleges do not have — it is close to the nation’s capital. These two ideas created a special opportunity. Students could gain valuable work experience in one of the most important places in the country: Washington, D.C. Because of this, the Washington Program was created.
By creating the Washington Program, St. Mary’s gave students a one-of-a-kind experience as interns in Washington, D.C. Students could explore the city, learn about public policy, and get advice from alumni working in public affairs. The program also helped students build the skills they needed to succeed in a competitive job market after graduation. In just one summer, they could grow into confident young professionals.
Eligibility
The program mainly accepts sophomores and juniors. However, we review all applications, and sometimes we accept exceptional first-year students. Students are evaluated on several factors, including their grades, work experience, leadership potential, and clear professional interests that connect to what the Washington Program offers.
Understanding Public Policy
The Washington Program class (POSC450) is 4 credits. Students are also required to take an additional 4-8 credits of internship hours. An essential part of the program is its course content. Public policy is the focus of attention and students can expect to learn how federal policy influences current events and their future careers.
A Week of Learning and Preparation
Before beginning their internship, in May, students will spend an intensive week at St. Mary’s College of Maryland. They will learn about the primary actors in Washington, the policymaking process, and how to get the most out of their internship.
A Week of Reflection and Application
After completing their internship, in August, students will meet in Washington for another intensive week. This post-internship week allows students to reflect on their Washington experiences broadly. Additionally, students will examine their internship experience through the lens of their academic research.
Internships
The Program helps students apply to select internships in Washington, DC in the public affairs field. These internships can be in a variety of companies, organizations, and offices. At these internships, students can fulfill the College’s ELAW requirement.
The Steps to Finding an Internship:
Once students are accepted into the Program, a majority of the spring semester will be spent assisting students in locating and applying to internships. This process includes and is not limited to:
- A Brief Interview conducted by the Program Directors to become familiar with the student’s career goals and professional interests.
- A Resume and Cover letter Workshop hosted by St. Mary’s Alumni to provide guidance on how to write, draft and finalize resumes and cover letters.
- Assistance from Program Directors and Fellow to proofread and edit resumes and cover letters before they are sent to select internships.
- Interview Practice with Program Directors.
A List of Recent Internship Sites:
- Peabody Property Solutions
- Congressman Steny Hoyer (D-MD)
- American Academy of Nursing
- Ballotpedia
- National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML)
- University of Maryland Agricultural Extension, an organization that focuses on acquiring agricultural-based research and extending it to businesses and farmers in various communities who may need it.
- Equal Rights Center
To learn more about internship options, please contact the Program Directors or Fellow.
Alumni-Mentorship Program
If anything, the Washington Program (WP) cherishes the relationships it has with St. Mary’s alumni. In doing so, it has created an exchange of reciprocity that scaffolds the professional development of current St. Mary’s students. This exchange comes in the form of its unique Alumni-Mentorship Program.
The WP believes that mentorships are an excellent teaching tool. They enable students to learn from the experiences of alumni who currently work in the Washington area’s public affairs field. As a result, students receive life advice and the interpersonal support to succeed in their internships.
The Alumni-Mentorship Program is conducted by matching students with St. Mary’s alumni to mentor them throughout the course of their internship. For this to occur, the Program Directors work to create the best matches based on the students’ career goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
When are Washington Program Applications Due?
Applications are typically due two weeks into the spring semester. Within the application, we ask for a cover letter, resume, and letter of reference.
How can I apply to The Washing Program?
Students can access the application through the St. Mary’s Washington Program website.
How much does the Washington Program cost?
The cost of the program is based on summer tuition rates. Depending on how many credits the student will be completing, tuition ranges from $2,400-$3,600. These costs are subject to change. Currently, Summer Tuition is $300 per credit hour for a total of 12 credits or less. Students enrolled in a total of 13 or more credits are considered full-time and must pay full- time tuition and fees. There is the potential for financial assistance.
The student is also responsible for housing during the week-long summer class, housing in DC (if needed), transportation to and from DC, and any other additional costs.
In regards to the week-long summer class, housing fees are $90 for a Double whereas it is $120 for a single. Please visit the Office of Residence Life’s Summer Housing page for more information in regards to meal plans and housing fees. Costs related to housing in DC, transportation to and from DC, and other additional costs vary.
How does housing work? Does the program supply housing?
The program itself does not supply housing for students who do not live in the DC metro area, however the Directors and Fellow work with any student who needs housing to find them a suitable solution. In some cases, a housing subsidy may be available from the college.
What about transportation to and from DC?
This is left up to the student. Most students in the program choose to take the Metro into the city, if they live close to a Metro station. Others in the past have driven, or have taken the MARC train. There is the potential for financial assistance.