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Students attending Fairmont State University can take advantage of a unique opportunity to serve an internship in Washington D.C. through the institution's affiliation with The Washington Center Internship and Academic Seminars program. The program gives students the opportunity to live and work in one of the most important cities in the world and to experience the professional arena of the nation's Capitol as well as the cultural diversity.


 U.S. Capitol Building
Photo: FSU student Akiko Nobe
A
Washington
Center
Internship
allows students to:		 •Develop Professional Skills
•Clarify Personal Goals
•Improve research and communication skills
•Meet people from across the country and the world
•Prepare for life after college
•Give perspective on their studies
•Investigate a profession of interest
•Apply academic learning to the work world
"The internship was one of the best educational opportunities I have experienced. It has increased my understanding of world issues and has provided me with a unique opportunity to take part in advancing U.S. and Asian relations.” — FSU student Akiko Nobe served as a Program Assistant Intern at The Maureen and Mike Mansfield Foundation in Washington DC.
The Internship —
Students can secure a substantial internship at any of the thousands of organizations-governmental, for-profit and nonprofit-with which the Washington Center maintains ties. Regardless of your academic major, you will be placed in a substantial, 4 to 4 1/2 days - a -week professional work experience tailored to your interests. The Washington Center provides the placement, supervision, and housing - all at a reasonable cost. In addition, students are enrolled in an academic course of their choice and participate in The Washington Forum.		 The Washington Forum —
In addition to the internship and coursework, a half or full day of activities is scheduled each week that gives interns special programming within their areas of interest and introduces them to the public policy and the organizations and people who shape it. These include TWC's Presidential Lecture Series, Pfizer Seminar with Senators, Venison Congressional breakfast Series, Embassy Visits Program, briefings, tours, workshops, and other activities planned by each program supervisor.
Eligibility —
Students are eligible to apply from any academic major or discipline. To be eligible a student must:
  • Be enrolled in an accredited college or university as a second semester sophomore or above during the term of the internship
  • Maintain a grade point average of at least 2.75
  • Remain enrolled in and receive academic credit from Fairmont State College
  • Receive the endorsement of your campus liaison
Academic Coursework —
A major component of the Internship program is that students take a course selected from among twenty to thirty courses offered each term by highly qualified faculty. Academic credit is awarded to students which transfers back to Fairmont State University. Students can earn up to 12-15 hours of academic credit for a fall or spring internship and 6-12 hours for a summer internship. All students are required to enroll in an academic course.
Costs —
The cost to participate in The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars program is very reasonable, and is comparable to tuition and housing for a semester at FSU. In addition to financial aid, scholarships are available through The Washington Center and through the state of West Virginia.		 How to Apply —
Every student needs to complete a Washington Center application form available online at  http://www.twc.edu or from Dr. Christina Lavorata, FSU Associate Provost and Washington Center Campus Liaison. The signature of the campus liaison is required on the application form.

  For additional information visit:
The Washington Center web site at: http://www.twc.edu
or contact the the Office of the Associate Provost
208 Hardway Hall — 304-367-4691 — Email: FSU Associate Provost