Washington Semester

Off Campus Study and Exchange  (OCSE) is the contact at Skidmore College for students interested in attending The Washington Semester Program at American University. The Washington Semester Program allows students to combine classroom work with practical experience to gain a better understanding of American government or a specific public policy area. Most students participate in the program during the spring semester of their junior year, though students have in the past attended during the fall semester of junior or senior year. Each program consists of a seminar, an internship, and either a research paper or an elective course taken at American University.

Applications are made through OCSE. Credits earned at American University are denoted as transfer credits, and grades earned do not affect the Skidmore GPA. However, all courses and grades do appear on the transcript. Students need to receive a grade of "C" or better to earn credit for the course at Skidmore.

Students may choose from among the following programs:

• American Politics
• Economic Policy
• Foreign Policy
• International Business & Trade (DC Only!)
• Journalism
• Justice
• Public Law
• Transforming Communities

Students must possess a 3.0 cumulative GPA to be eligible to participate in the Washington Semester Program. Interested students who meet this criterion should contact the OCSE for application materials and additional information. All application materials must be returned by November 1 for admission to the spring semester and by March 1 for admission to the Fall Semester.