CAS Internship & Experiential Learning Program

Fall or Spring: UVM students participating in The Washington Center program during Fall or Spring semester will enroll in 15 credits at UVM. The 15 credits will be broken up into three course numbers: 

• 9-credit internship course under CAS 2991 (aligns with your internship hours and reflection work). CAS allows a maximum of 12 internship credits to count toward your 120 credit total, so most students will also have time to do another internship during their time at UVM.
• 3-credit seminar course under CAS 1900 (TWC’s Career Readiness Modules). This course will count as elective credit.
• 3-credit seminar course under CAS 2900 (TWC Academic Seminar). You may request permission from your department Chairperson to count the TWC academic evening seminar toward your major or minor if it aligns with the academic subject matter.

Summer: UVM students participating in The Washington Center program during the Summer semester will have two choices:

1. Enroll in 12 credits through UVM (6 internship credits, 3 credits for Career Readiness, 3 credits for Academic Seminar). Please note you will be charged UVM summer tuition for 12 credits. Financial Aid is available during the summer term — please contact SFS for more information. Total cost (including UVM tuition/fees + TWC Housing) will be roughly $10,800 for in-state students or roughly $19,500 for out-of-state students.

–OR–

1. Enroll in UVM’s $100 Summer Internship Course (SINT 2991) and pay the TWC Program Fee and Housing Fee directly to TWC. Total cost (including UVM tuition/fees + TWC Program Fee + TWC Housing) will be roughly $12,500.

At the end of your semester in D.C., grades will be sent back to UVM and will be entered into the grading system. These courses are all graded and will count toward your GPA. 

TWC Application Fee: Use code TWC60 to apply for free!

UVM Tuition: Since you will be enrolled in UVM credit, you will pay your normal tuition amount to UVM. All of your grants and scholarships will apply as normal — as if you were staying at UVM and taking regular classes. 

• Note: If you decide to do TWC during the Summer semester, you will be charged UVM tuition at the summer tuition rates. See Credit Information Section above for more detail. Summer financial aid is available, but keep in mind that you may not know details about your financial aid award before you need to commit to the Washington Center.

TWC Program Fee: You will NOT pay the TWC program fee if you participate during the Fall or Spring semesters. UVM covers this on your behalf.

TWC Housing Fee: If you are living in TWC’s Residential and Academic Facility (RAF) in Washington, D.C., you will pay for housing directly to The Washington Center. Current rates can be found on their website.

Food & Living Expenses: There is no meal plan associated with this program, so you will need to grocery shop and cook in your apartment with your fellow students. Check out The Washington Center’s guide to budgeting in D.C. for an estimation of costs and general advice.

Please contact Kelly Smith with any logistical questions.

Before you start your semester with The Washington Center, make sure to complete the following steps.

Step 1: Academics

1. Enroll in…
   • The Internship Course (CAS 2991) (9 credits)*
   • Enroll in Academic Course (CAS 1900) (3 credits)*
   • Enroll in Academic Course (CAS 2900) (3 credits)* 
2. Get in contact with SAS (Student Accessibility Services) to make sure any accommodation documentation is forwarded to TWC as soon as possible. 
3. If you are an international student, please get in touch with OIE (Office of International Education) to obtain the proper visa permissions.

* Kelly Smith will send you an override for these courses. 

Step 2: Internship

1. Once you receive your internship placement through TWC, fill out the Internship Information Form.

If you have any trouble or questions about the form, please contact Kelly Smith

Step 3: Housing

If you are signed up for a UVM dorm room during the semester you will be away, email reslife@uvm.edu stating your intention to withdraw from student housing due to participation in a CAS-sponsored program, The Washington Center. Please remember to CC Kelly Smith (ksmith52@uvm.edu) so that she can provide official documentation to ResLife! After this, you will receive confirmation via email from ResLife that your contract will be cancelled. 

You will receive a bill directly from The Washington Center with instructions on how to pay the housing fee. Any questions should be sent to info@twc.edu. 

Step 4: Health

1. Make any arrangements for counseling services and/or prescription medications while in D.C. If you currently work with UVM CAPS, you will need to locate a counselor in D.C. to work with while you are there. UVM’s CAPS staff are only licensed to practice in the state of Vermont and can’t work virtually with clients located in other states. Please get in touch with your CAPS team to see if they have any recommendations in the D.C. area and, if you feel comfortable, reach out to TWC to see if they have any recommendations or resources for you.
2. Make sure that your UVM health forms and immunizations are up-to-date and your emergency contacts are correct in MyUVM. More detail about UVM’s Vaccine & booster policy
3. If you are enrolling in UVM SHIP (Student Health Insurance Plan), you MUST contact the student health insurance office to coordinate a PCP while in D.C.

Step 5: Connect!

UVM Alumni based in Washington D.C. are interested in connecting with you! Have you heard of UVM Connect? This system bridges the network between students, alumni, and faculty of UVM. Join UVM Connect before you depart for D.C., and build your network by reaching out and saying hello, or joining in on events that are happening in the area as you see them pop up on the forum!

Additional Information