Program Location
There is probably a wide variety of information and opinions about DC being thrown your way as you prepare for this adventure! Although we're going to let you form your own opinions, we will tell you more about the location of ASP. Read this FAQ to find out location information!
For 15 weeks, you’ll live in the Capitol Hill residential neighborhood. Many students are (pleasantly!) surprised to find that DC isn’t all suits and monuments—farmer’s markets, festivals, and a wide array of (free!) cultural offerings take place every day of the week!
It’s one thing to visit DC as a tourist, but to make the nation’s capital city your home is a completely unique and exciting experience! You will live eight blocks from the U.S. Capitol, Supreme Court and Library of Congress. You are within easy walking distance of Eastern Market, Union Station, the National Mall, RFK Stadium (MLS) and Nationals Park (MLB). Your apartment building is owned by the CCCU, and students from the American Studies Program and Washington Journalism Center will be your roommates. The apartments are fully furnished and house 4-6 students each semester.
Washington, DC has one of the nation’s best public transportation systems. The Dellenback Center (your apartment building) is located in the heart of Capitol Hill with convenient access to Metro bus stops and Metro train lines and to both Amtrak and MARC. Although bringing a bicycle and/or car is discouraged, Zipcar (a car-sharing business throughout the region) and Capital Bikeshare (bike rental) locations are available nearby.
Weather in Washington is fairly moderate. If you’re a fall semester student, you will enjoy the autumn foliage and may even see snow before you leave. For spring semester, you should prepare for the possibility of January and February snow and a few rainy days—but also the beautiful cherry blossoms around the Tidal basin. On a whole, Washington, DC has more sunny days than cloudy.
Academics
While your time with the American Studies Program is sure to be an eye opening adventure, your main purpose in being there will be to learn. In fact, we think this is half the adventure, especially since you will be learning through doing and serving in addition to time in the classroom. Read this FAQ series to find out more about the program’s academics.
You will receive 15-16 credits for your semester at the American Studies Program. All students are enrolled in an internship (6 credits), Topics in Leadership & Vocation (3 credits), and their track work (6 credits). You can also choose to enroll in the Professional Mentorship Course for 1 additional credit.
Many of your classes will be in the Dellenback Center – the main building for the program which includes ASP classroom, student apartments and common areas. Additionally, ASP uses the city as its larger classroom. During the semester, you should expect to be out and about in the city as you meet with industry professionals and experts in your topic of study.
For most class sessions, guest speakers present their perspective and lead discussion on their area of expertise. These experts come from a wide range of organizations including government offices, NGOs, think tanks and more.
The courses are facilitated by American Studies Program faculty. Dr. Peter Baker, the Program Director, leads the Public Policy track. He completed his undergraduate work at Olivet Nazarene University, is an alumnus of ASP and received his PhD from Notre Dame University. Gerry Hartis leads the Global Development track and is an experienced consultant to entrepreneurs and managers of commercial and non-profit organizations. Elizabeth Pitts leads the Internship and Professional Mentorship courses. Additionally, she manages ASP alumni affairs. To read the full bios of each of the program faculty, visit www.bestsemester.com/asp/faculty_staff.
The courses are facilitated by American Studies Program faculty. Dr. Peter Baker, the Program Director, leads the Public Policy track. He completed his undergraduate work at Olivet Nazarene University, is an alumnus of ASP and received his PhD from Notre Dame University. Gerry Hartis leads the Global Development track and is an experienced consultant to entrepreneurs and managers of commercial and non-profit organizations. Elizabeth Pitts leads the Internship and Professional Mentorship courses. Additionally, she manages ASP alumni affairs. To read the full bios of each of the program faculty, visit www.bestsemester.com/asp/faculty_staff.
All ASP students begin and end with the course, Topics in Leadership & Vocation. This course aims to equip students to translate their campus convictions into real-world leadership. It will draw you into the conversations on vocation and justice that have been at the heart of ASP since its founding in 1976.
You will then select a track of study for the semester. Those who choose to study in the Public Policy track will spend the semester investigating a pressing public policy issue being debated on Capitol Hill. You will directly engage policy advocates and political stakeholders on all sides of the issue at hand to hear them explain the reasoning behind their positions. Upon analyzing their points of disagreement, you will produce an original piece of research supported by your Washington, DC field work. This track usually attracts students who major or minor in Political Science, Pre-Law, Public Policy, History or International Relations.
Global Development track students participate in an intensive professional experience aimed at learning what it takes to form and lead institutional partnerships in cross-cultural contexts. You will work on a real-world project under the direction of a real-world client. Your work considers the interest capabilities and ethical commitments that guide business, governments and NGO’s in their collaboration to serve highly stressed, underdeveloped societies. Global Development students will present their findings at a professional symposium attended their client, other members of the partnership and additional interested parties. This track is designed to professionally advance students with majors or minors in Business Management, Missions, Public Relations, Social Entrepreneurship, Social Work or Sociology.
Additionally, all students will participate in an internship. Although internships may vary, students are all required to work for an average of 24 hours per week, keep a log of their work and submit written reflections on their experience throughout the semester.
Finally, you may choose to enroll in the optional, one-credit-hour Mentorship course. We highly recommend that you take advantage of this opportunity to learn from our vibrant community of alumni and friends who are established leaders in their respective fields with at least seven years of professional experience. Students who choose this course will meet with their mentor at least once a month to discuss matters of professional development and real-world faith integration.
Current course descriptions and syllabi can be found on our website at anytime: http://www.bestsemester.com/asp/academics/.
You will then select a track of study for the semester. Those who choose to study in the Public Policy track will spend the semester investigating a pressing public policy issue being debated on Capitol Hill. You will directly engage policy advocates and political stakeholders on all sides of the issue at hand to hear them explain the reasoning behind their positions. Upon analyzing their points of disagreement, you will produce an original piece of research supported by your Washington, DC field work. This track usually attracts students who major or minor in Political Science, Pre-Law, Public Policy, History or International Relations.
Global Development track students participate in an intensive professional experience aimed at learning what it takes to form and lead institutional partnerships in cross-cultural contexts. You will work on a real-world project under the direction of a real-world client. Your work considers the interest capabilities and ethical commitments that guide business, governments and NGO’s in their collaboration to serve highly stressed, underdeveloped societies. Global Development students will present their findings at a professional symposium attended their client, other members of the partnership and additional interested parties. This track is designed to professionally advance students with majors or minors in Business Management, Missions, Public Relations, Social Entrepreneurship, Social Work or Sociology.
Additionally, all students will participate in an internship. Although internships may vary, students are all required to work for an average of 24 hours per week, keep a log of their work and submit written reflections on their experience throughout the semester.
Finally, you may choose to enroll in the optional, one-credit-hour Mentorship course. We highly recommend that you take advantage of this opportunity to learn from our vibrant community of alumni and friends who are established leaders in their respective fields with at least seven years of professional experience. Students who choose this course will meet with their mentor at least once a month to discuss matters of professional development and real-world faith integration.
Current course descriptions and syllabi can be found on our website at anytime: http://www.bestsemester.com/asp/academics/.
Students in the American Studies Program intern all over Washington, DC. The internship is the primary way you will customize your semester in DC. After admission, you will start communicating with Elizabeth Pitts, the ASP Internship Director. She will help you narrow down which organizations’ internship opportunities will fit your interests and goals, and she will walk with you through the application processes. Since we do not place you with an internship, securing an internship is your first professional development accomplishment in DC and is great practice for post-graduation job applications.
Daily Life
Want to know what your days will entail while living in the United States' capital city? Read this FAQ to find out more about daily life.
Three days a week, you’ll wake up early and dress up for your internship (usually a suit). Female students will put on flats and stash heels in their bag for later. You’ll walk to the Metro or catch the bus—joining thousands of commuters all over the city. After walking through security at your office building, you’ll check in with your supervisors and find out what needs to be done. Maybe you’ll attend a hearing on Capitol Hill, write up policy memos, or give a tour of the Capitol building. Lunch might be at your desk, with other interns, or even ordered from a food truck outside of your office! Once your workday is done, you’ll commute home again, maybe on a Metro train zipping under the monuments or standing on a crowded bus, overhearing bits and pieces of your neighbors’ stories. Dinner will probably be back in your apartment with your roommates, catching up on their busy days. In the evening you might watch TV in the lounge, organize a game of pickup Frisbee in front of the Capitol, or read articles to prepare for class discussions for the other two days of the week.
Part of the goal of ASP is to give you a window into life after graduation, so you will cook most of your meals in your apartment kitchen and do your own grocery shopping. Once a week, all of the students, faculty and staff, will join together for Family Night Dinner—a chance to reconnect in the middle of busy internship and coursework schedules. We’ll also invite back alumni and mentors!
Students at the Washington Journalism Center create a diverse community but are united in their desire to explore what it means to follow God in public service and advocacy. Your roommates and classmates will come from all around the country and even the world. They’ll hold different political beliefs, worldviews and theological perspectives. Embrace the opportunity to learn from different traditions! Regardless of where students come from, everyone enjoys the challenge of life in the city and processing it together.
Yes! Please do! In fact, some of the best experiences of the city have come from students’ exploration of the wide range of Christian communities in Washington, DC. Fascinating conversations come out of worshipping alongside your roommates or lifelong Washingtonians. This semester is a great opportunity to expand your experiential understanding of the diversity of the body of Christ.
Career
How will the American Studies Program will enhance your career? Read this FAQ to find out!
One of the best ways to distinguish yourself in the job application process is with experience! An internship at the American Studies Program will do just that. We require that internship be 20-30 hours per week and include substantive work, not just clerical tasks. You’ll also be joining a community of nearly 3,000 ASP alumni! This network is incredibly valuable as you seek to find the opportunities that interest you the most. Alumni can also connect you to great networks for finding housing and churches all across the country. Even more importantly, mentorships and friendships within the ASP alumni community help to continue the conversations about vocation and calling and what it means to follow Christ faithfully in all areas of your life.
In the Public Policy track, Washington is your classroom! The majority of class sessions are professional briefings out in the city where you will interact with policy experts. By the end of the semester you will have seen the inside of advocacy organizations, Congressional committee rooms, and think tanks. Even better, you will have asked hard questions and advanced your own policy research with input from the nation’s leading experts.
In the Global Development track, your team will hit the ground running working for a real-world global development client. You’ll learn about their project goals, meet their professional standards, and work under their deadlines as you contribute to a piece of their ongoing international development project. The research, interview, presentation, and collaboration skills you’ll gain will put you above your peers in the job search after graduation.
In the Global Development track, your team will hit the ground running working for a real-world global development client. You’ll learn about their project goals, meet their professional standards, and work under their deadlines as you contribute to a piece of their ongoing international development project. The research, interview, presentation, and collaboration skills you’ll gain will put you above your peers in the job search after graduation.
What haven’t they done?! Alumni have found their places in Capitol Hill offices, think tanks, working overseas for the State Department, in graduate school, Teach for America, in state legislatures, law firms, advocating for vulnerable populations, and even running for Congress!