Information for Prospective Students
Few experiences are as profitable as the training you will receive on BYU's Washington Seminar. Through a
quality internship in Washington, D.C., briefings on current national issues, tours, and excursions, you
will gain a valuable supplement to your education and the chance to be better prepared for your career.
For two decades the Washington Seminar has provided students from every academic discipline the opportunity
to encounter the culture and excitement of the nation's capital while gaining important professional experience.
Alumni of the seminar consider it one of the most significant aspects of their university training.
An Overview of the Washington Seminar Program.
The Washington Seminar is anxious to provide you with a well-rounded, substantive experience in the nation's capital. This is accomplished through:
- Placement opportunities with many government and private offices to provide you with the best possible internship.
- Discussion sessions with students and faculty on current topics of national interest.
- Group excursions to historic sights in the Washington, D.C. area including Gettysburg, PA and Philadelphia, PA.
- A resident BYU faculty member who monitors your internship to help insure a quality experience.
- An orientation class to help prepare you for the seminar experience, conducted prior to departing for Washington, D.C.
- Weekly briefings and lectures from representatives of public and private organizations to broaden your knowledge and experience.
The Washington Seminar has a full-time, on campus administrator available to help
arrange your internship and prepare you for the program. In addition, a member of the BYU
faculty will live in Washington D.C., during the semester to monitor your internship, provide instruction,
organize supplemental activities and deal with any problems that may arise.
When is the Seminar?
The Washington Seminar is conducted year-round, offering programs that correspond to the BYU academic schedule. You may choose to participate
during the Fall, Winter or Spring-Summer semester (about fourteen weeks each), or for seven weeks during either the Spring or Summer terms. You will find
participation in the longer, fourteen-week programs to be the most rewarding. Application Deadlines are several months before the program begins.
How much does it cost?
It is possible for you to participate in the Washington Seminar for only a little
more than the average student spends during a semester on campus. Contact the
Washington Seminar office for specific information on student expenses. Married
students will find their cost to be about 20 to 30 percent higher. The Washington
Seminar collects only tuition and rent so you are able to control the majority
of your expenses while participating in the program. To see the averages of what
our past students spent, click here.
Financial Aid
Because you are considered a full-time student while enrolled in the Washington Seminar,
any scholarships, loans, or grants you may receive can be applied toward your costs on
this program. The Washington Seminar also administers grants that are awarded to participants
based upon their financial need. To apply for a Washington Seminar Grant, click here.
Is there housing available?
Thanks to the generous gifts of the Milton A. Barlow family and others, in May
2002, BYU students participating on the Washington Seminar program began living
in the newly renovated Milton A. Barlow Center located on the west end of Pennsylvania
Ave. Housing is available for single and married students participating on the
Washington Seminar. Rent for the semester is $950 for single students and $1700
for married students. Only students participating on the Washington Seminar program
may stay in the Barlow Center.
Barlow Center Dedicatory Prayer
Pictures of and articles on the Milton A. Barlow Center.
Take a virtual tour.
See pictures of the construction.
Where do I attend church?
During the program, unmarried Washington Seminar students will attend the Washington DC 2nd Ward
(YSA). Past students often say that their experiences in the ward are among the best they had and
are included in their fondest memories. More information on the Branch can be found here. For
directions to the meeting house, click here.
Married students will attend a family ward in the Washington DC Stake. We encourage interns to be actively involved in the ward to which they are assigned.
Interns also may, and are encouraged to, attend Institute.
Who is eligible?
Qualified B.Y.U. students from all academic fields are encouraged to participate in the Washington Seminar. To be
eligible you must be an upper-division (completed 60 credits) or graduate student with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better and
be in good academic and honors code standing with BYU. All applicants are carefully screened and evaluated on the basis of attitude, maturity,
judgment, ability to take responsibility, and academic and professional skills. After acceptance into the Washington Seminar, applicants are screened
by potential sponsors, who make the final decision on which interns are selected for their offices. Students who have arranged their own internships are encouraged to apply.
Is there an orientation?
You are required to enroll in a one-credit preparatory class the semester before leaving for Washington.
Political Science 297 is the orientation class which may betaken only by Washington Seminar students. For those attending
the Fall semester, the class is offered the second block of Winter semester. For those attending Spring and/or Summer, the class is
offered first block of Winter semester. And for those attending Winter semester, the class is offered second block of Fall semester. Registration
for the course is by Add/Drop Card only. See the Washington Seminar Secretary for details.
This course will help prepare you to have a successful internship. If you have not completed an
introductory American Government course, you can take an additional credit of Political Science 297, which will serve as an American
Government Primer.
Deadlines
Applications are available in the Washington Seminar office. It is wise to begin the application process early because deadlines
are several months in advance of the various programs:
- Winter Semester: October 1st
- Spring & Summer Semesters: November 1st
- Fall Semester: February 1st
Note that some internships have earlier deadlines (i.e. the U.S. Department of
State). Check the Internship Database in the Washington Seminar office (976 SWKT)
for details about specific offices. If the deadline falls on a Saturday or Sunday,
applications will be accepted through the following Monday.
How do I apply?
Application instructions and forms are available online.
If you have arranged your own internship and would like to participate on the Washington Seminar,
use this application.