Washington Center Internships and the University of Saskatchewan

In 2021 and 2022 students were still able to participate in this exciting program virtually. (Note: the virtual option is no longer being offered by TWC).  

See what our students had to say about the program! 

Program Dates and Deadlines

The Spring 2023 Internship Program runs from January 24 - April 28, 2023. The application deadline to the College of Arts and Science is October 1st, 2022.  If you are accepted our office will send the materials to the Washington Centre by their posted deadline. 

The Summer 2023 Internship Program runs from June 6 - August 4, 2023. The application deadline to the College of Arts and Science is February 1st, 2023.  If you are accepted our office will send the materials to the Washington Centre by their posted deadline.

The Fall 2023 Internship Program runs from August 29, - December 1, 2023. The application deadline to the College of Arts and Science is March 31st, 2023.  If you are accepted our office will send the materials to the Washington Centre by their posted deadline.

* Applying by the Early Deadline gives you the chance to hear from TWC sooner and be considered for internship sites that have earlier internal timelines. 

** Some internship sites have timelines that precede TWC’s Early Deadline. These sites include most law enforcement opportunities, as well as some positions in the law/legal affairs and international relations fields, and at various think tanks, government agencies, embassies and museums. If you’re interested in opportunities like these for Summer 2023, we recommend submitting your application in January 2023.

Program Information

The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars is a non-profit educational institution headquartered in Washington, D.C. It provides undergraduates, graduate students and professionals with internship opportunities located mainly in Washington, D.C., and in selected cities abroad. The internship program consists of a work experience tailored to the student's interest and academic coursework.

The Washington Center is located in one of the global epicentres of politics, business and international diplomacy and maintains ties to more than 1000 organizations offering intern placement. These internships prepare students for all types of careers in the public and private sector, in nearly every profession.

Students who are accepted into The Washington Center Program will be provided with internships working for government agencies, businesses or NGOs in Washington. They will also take an academic course from the Washington Center. Students will register in 9 or 15 credit units of pre-selected University of Saskatchewan courses within the program, depending on when they choose to go, which may be used toward the completion of all Arts & Science degrees.  Students must submit their Washington Center Portfolio (prepared during their time in Washington) and material from their academic course taken at the Washington Centre upon completion of the program in order to receive credit.

Students are eligible to be accepted to the program if they will have completed a minimum of 60 credit units of university level courses, including 6 senior credit units in at least one of ANTH, ECON, GEOG, POLS, PSY, or SOC, prior to the Washington Center term.

Application Procedure

There is an online application form is available from the Washington Center website. The online application should be completed, BUT NOT SUBMITTED until after its adjudication by the Washington Center selection committee in the College of Arts and Science. 

The application form must be completed, printed and submitted to the selection committee with the following items:

• A One-page Résumé: Outline your educational background and include experiences like volunteer opportunities, leadership roles on campus, honors and awards. See the TWC resume guide and view sample resumes.

• Statement of Professional Interest: Write a summary (around 100 words) of what you’re seeking in an internship, the skills you’re hoping to develop and interests you’d like to explore. Please do not specify the name(s) of any particular organization in this statement, as it will be shared with potential internship sites. See the TWC statement of professional interest guide.

• An Issues Essay (500 words) on a key issue that is relevant to the field you are hoping to intern in. This is not meant to be a research paper, but it should show you have some background knowledge and interest in the topic

• One academic letter of recommendation from faculty. This letter should be in a sealed envelope with the signature of the faculty member across the seal. (form available online)

• An unofficial copy of your University of Saskatchewan transcript 

• Please note that your One-page Resumé, Transcript and Issues Essay or Writing Sample must be saved as PDFs in order to upload them.

• Online Application

Approximate Program Costs and Dates

Students accepted to this program are eligible to apply for various scholarships.

ALL students taking the TWC Program will receive $1000 Global Engagement Scholarship. This scholarship is meant to help offset costs related to studying abroad (must be taking the course for credit to be eligible).

Arts and Science students have many donor funded travel awards and bursaries that they may be eligible for.

• Explore funding options

• Info Sheet
• Academic Reference