WSP.American.edu/Grad

APPLIED POLITICS

can politics with your interactive seminar, an internship designed to expand your knowledge through practical experience, and an elective course of your choosing.

Participation in the Graduate Gate-way Applied Politics program helps prepare you for a master’s degree and career in politics or govern-ment while helping you build valu-able connections.

Develop a direct understanding of applied politics through exposure to political practitioners and policy makers —both elected and unelected —who influence legislation, execute decisions, resolve disputes, and help others win electoral office.

Improve your skills evaluating policy proposals and increase your factual knowledge of the structures, rules, and processes of Ameri-

Experience Washington from the inside.

THE PROGRAM

COMPONENTS

AND ENJOY

3 DAYS / WEEK: Applied Politics Internship in Washington, DC

3 CREDITS: Graduate Seminar in Applied American Politics

3 CREDITS: Graduate Elective Course in AU’s School of Public Affairs

Instruction by faculty holding academic

appointments in the School of Public Affairs

Option to live in university-sponsored

housing on Capitol Hill

APPLY NOW AT WSP.American.edu/Grad

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THE PROGRAM

THE SEMINAR

Combine our traditional academic setting with valuable first-hand insights from political experts.

This unparralleled experiential model affords a fuller understand-ing of complex political science issues; a critical asset.

Gain hands-on knowledge.

Politics Inside the BeltwayHow Washington works through the avenues of public communications.

Elections and Campaigns National campaign organizations, political consultants, and a focus on polling, media, gender, and voter turnout analysis.

CongressThe legislative process, appropria-tions and earmarks, committees and legislation.

Interest Groups, Advocacy Organizations, and Think TanksThe role of organizations in influ-encing policy, strategies, and tactics.

Economic and Social PolicyWhat is the government doing on issues that dominate policy agendas:

jobs, health care and entitlements, energy, and education?

Campaign Finance ReformHow have recent laws and court cases affected future elections with an emphasis on spending/contribution limits, soft money, 527’s, and public financing?

PresidencyWorking inside the White House and the execution of administration poli-cies from legislation to implementa-tion to rule making. To what extent is the Obama Presidency different?

The CourtsThe federal court system and the impact upon public policy. Major cases on the docket and the nature of the Supreme Court under Chief Justice John Roberts.

SAMPLE SEMINAR TOPICS

INTERNSHIPS

AFL-CIO

American Democracy Institute

American Enterprise Institute

Center for Strategic and International Studies

Common Cause

Emily’s List

Feminist Majority Foundation

McManus, Schor, Asmar & Darden, L.L.P.

National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty

National Right to Life Committee

U.S. Chamber of Commerce

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

U.S. House of Representatives

U.S. Senate

We pride ourselves on the profes-sional internships Graduate Gate-way Program students obtain. You’ll access our extensive internship data-base available only to program par-ticipants.

Your internship will help you build your résumé, network with profes-sionals in your field, and provide valuable experience to stand out in today’s challenging job market.

SAMPLE INTERNSHIPS

ELECTIVES

SAMPLE ELECTIVES

American Political Thought

Homeland Security

The Legislative Process

Political Analysis

Politics in the Electronic Age

Voting Behavior, Elections & Campaigns

Women, Politics & Public Policy

Follow your passion and spur critical thinking in your field. Every student holds unique areas of interest, so choose an elective course from the wide array of graduate courses offered by the School of Pub-lic Affairs.

APPLY NOW AT WSP.American.edu/Grad

gradgate@american.edu

202-895-4900

facebook.com/WashingtonSemesterProgram

@WashSem on Twitter

Washington Semester Program

American University, Tenley Campus

4400 Massachusetts Ave NW

Washington, DC 20016

WSP.American.edu/GradAPPLY NOW OR ACCESS MORE INFORMATION: