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SBS in DC Semester Program - Fall 2024

University of Massachusetts Amherst
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Are you interested in a hands-on internship experience in our nation's capital? The College of Social & Behavioral Sciences invites SBS majors to apply for our SBS in DC Semester Internship Program. SBS in DC is a cohort-based program offering students the opportunity to do an internship with alumni or other affiliated organizations in Washington DC, take a class related to your major interests, and earn a semester's-worth of credits! Our alumni are doing exciting work, and want to help you build your skills so even more UMass talent will be making a difference in our country's future in Washington DC! 

Internships held by past SBS in DC interns include:

Capitol Hill:

  • Democrat and Republican Offices in the Senate and House
  • Committees and Caucuses on the Hill

Foreign Affairs and International Development

  • US Asia Institute
  • Department of Defense, Office of the General Counsel
  • Refugee Policy Program, Church World Service
  • Islamic Relief USA
  • Latin American Working Group
  • JStreet
  • SES Satellites

Legal & Advocacy

  • American Dental Assoc. Congressional Lobby
  • Washington Lawyer's Committee
  • Center for American Progress
  • Democratic Governors Association
  • American Gastroenterological Assoc. Public Policy & Government Affairs
  • Health Resources and Services Administration/Bureau of Workforce Health
  • Environmental and Energy Study Institute
  • League of Conservation Voters

Data, Strategy, & PR

  • Lincoln Park Strategies
  • kglobal
  • No Labels
  • New Blue Interactive
  • Mercury LLC
  • Berger Hirschberg Strategies

AND MANY, MANY MORE!

Interns in the SBS in DC Semester program live together in DC as a cohort in apartment-style housing. Throughout the semester there are opportunities for field trips, networking, and professional development activities. Each person in the cohort is assigned an Alumni Mentor in DC who will provide advice and guidance throughout the program. Participants are also enrolled in an academic course centered around their major and interests. 

This is a selective program and we are looking for applicants who are serious about representing SBS in DC with our alumni hosts. If you are selected, we will work together to determine which organizations are optimal for the internship goals you have expressed. We have partnered with The Washington Center's (TWC) Academic Internship Program to support students throughout the semester. TWC has over 40 years of experience running programs in DC and offers a robust infrastructure to help ensure your success. 

As a member of the cohort, you will be required to participate in several professional development sessions that will meet at UMass throughout the Spring 2024 semester. The sessions will explore topics such as professional etiquette & communication, networking, DC 101, imposter syndrome, internship expectations, identity & bias, learning objectives and goal setting. The dates and times of the sessions will be provided to those selected into the cohort.

The cost for students will be similar to, or less than, a semester on-campus at UMass Amherst. You will still be eligible for Financial Aid and some scholarships. Some internships are paid, and for those that are unpaid, funding to cover travel to DC, food, metro cards, and other expenses may be available, depending on financial need. Students will apply for scholarships via Academic Works. 

This is a terrific opportunity, and we encourage you to apply for this chance to be part of the cohort of the 2024 SBS in DC Semester Internship Program!

Please submit the requested application documents through Handshake by TUESDAY JANUARY 16th by 11:59pm:

  • Resume
  • Statement of Interest/Personal Statement: Tell us why you are interested in this program, and what it would mean for you to be a part of the program. Be reflective, tell your story. Explain how being a part of this program fits in with your professional and personal goals and why it is an opportunity that will make a difference in your life. What do you hope to get out of the experience? Please note: this is a personal statement, not a cover letter. However, when uploading documents to apply you will attach it where it says "Cover Letter".
  • Transcript (Unofficial is acceptable)
  • Writing Sample: no more than 3 pages, can be an excerpt from a longer paper from a relevant class. It should be a practical piece that demonstrates your ability to write concisely and clearly.