Requirements: GPA 2.5 or above, Junior or Senior Status
This is a highly-recommended experience for political science majors with qualifying GPA of 2.5 or above. Students express high satisfaction with this experience, and, the Washington, D.C. experience has led to many job opportunities for SUNY students in the D.C. area.
This is a 16 credit -hour experience of graded (A-E) credit. Note that your 16 credit hours are not recorded as "internship." You would still be able to take up to 15 credit hours in an internship program (PSC 488) in addition to the Washington Semester.
SUNY Brockport directs the Washingtion Internship Program. For latest information, please visit the the Washington Semester website. This website includes program information, costs, and a application forms (application, permission sheet, housing).
Seeking more information?
The coordinator from SUNY Brockport makes a campus visit each semester. The Political Science Departments sends an announcement to all majors and minors inviting them to this presentation. The event is also posted to Buffalo State's events calendar. This session is open to all Buffalo State students, faculty, and staff.
Application & Registration Procedures
After completing your application (including obtaining two letters of recommendation), you must meet with Dr. Patrick McGovern who must approve applications before he sends them to the SUNY Brockport coordinator.
Upon receipt of acceptance notification from the Washington Center, you must make an appointment with Dr. Lee Ann Grace, Assistant Dean, International and Exchange Office, SW 410 (gracela@buffalostate.edu), phone # 878-4620.
You will register for fifteen credit hours of INE 390. (Dr. Grace will provide you with the course registration number.)
Upon completion of the Washington experience, the Washington semester coordinator reports your grades to Dr. Grace. He does so for the three components of your experience (research, work, and seminar). Dr. Grace will then convert these grades to 16 credit hours of PSC 497 (Washington Semester Research--6 credit hours, Work-6 credit hours, and Seminar-4 credit hours). These credits will then count both towards your political science electives (included in your political science GPA) and/or your total credit hour requirement (120 credits) for your B.A. degree.
Financing your Washington Experience
It is highly recommended that you attend (at least one year before application) a study abroad financial information session. This session will provide information that will help you seek funding for the Washington experience as well.
