Carnegie Mellon University Washington Semester Program (CMU/WSP)
In DC, decisions are made by those who show up. This is your opportunity.
The Carnegie Mellon University Washington Semester Program (CMU/WSP) provides undergraduate students from any department or major the opportunity to live, intern, and study in the nation's capital. Sponsored by the Carnegie Mellon Institute for Strategy & Technology, students earn 48 units interning about twenty-four hours per week in any sector or field of interest within Washington, DC, while taking classes taught by Carnegie Mellon faculty.
From embassies to nongovernmental organizations, think tanks to advocacy organizations, government agencies to congressional offices, and consulting firms to media outlets, Washington, DC, is the center for many political, international relations, and public policy activities. Students in the program come into direct contact with political, business, and industry-specific leaders and learn about the most pressing policy issues of the day.
Through this experiential learning program, CMU/WSP participants develop professional and networking skills, explore how coursework connects to the real world, learn to give and receive constructive feedback in the workplace and classroom, and intentionally reflect on their learning and growth. CMIST also sponsors events and policy-oriented opportunities in Washington for students participating in the program to further enrich their experience and enhance their understanding of how Washington functions as a hub of international and domestic policy making.
To facilitate the internship search process, applications are accepted on a rolling admission basis with a final deadline of October 1 for spring semester participation and March 1 for fall semester participation.
How to Apply
Eligibility
Full-time undergraduates from any college and major at Carnegie Mellon University are eligible to apply to the Carnegie Mellon University Washington Semester Program (CMU/WSP).
Junior year is the ideal time to participate in the CMU/WSP. The program, however, is open to second-semester sophomores, juniors, or seniors. Students must declare a primary major before attending the CMU/WSP.
Applicants should demonstrate a strong academic record with a minimum cumulative QPA of 3.0. Exceptions may be made for students with lower QPAs based on strong recommendation letters and application materials.
Carnegie Mellon undergraduates wishing to spend a semester in Washington, DC, pursuing an internship while earning credit and completing coursework are encouraged to apply to the CMU/WSP.
Application Components
Application Deadline
Academics
Before You Go
Students who are admitted to the CMU/WSP will be enrolled in 84-215 Tomorrow’s Professionals in the mini semester directly preceding their time in DC. This 3-unit (pass/no pass) seminar is designed to facilitate students’ deliberate thinking about professionalism, so that they can: begin to practice it upon entry into their respective internships and avoid decisions or behaviors that could hamper their success, build their unique brands, identify opportunities to excel, and ensure overall excellence in their careers. Throughout the seminar, students will discuss professional conduct, leadership, teamwork, interview techniques and strategies for success. Students will also discuss real-time and simulated workplace challenges, and problem-solve as a group to develop meaningful, professional resolutions to difficult workplace scenarios. Being prepared for such scenarios, and responding intentionally to challenges can make or break a career.
Professionalism is a lifelong skill. The goal of this seminar is to provide students with the necessary tools to begin building their professional careers so that they have a set of skills to rely on as they grow within their careers. Given the right preparation and tool kit—students that practice professionalism will see their careers catapulted forward and doors open indefinitely.
While in Washington
During the semester in Washington, DC, students earn 48-units, taking a combination of mini and full semester courses. Students take classes three evenings per week. Each class meets only one evening per week. All courses are taught by CMIST faculty and all classes are held in the CMU/WSP classrooms on Capitol Hill. The academic program consists of the following:
Curriculum
Financial
Costs and Fees
Students who attend CMU/WSP will continue to pay Carnegie Mellon full-time tuition, standard double room fee, and other fees to Carnegie Mellon for the semester in which they are in Washington, DC, and are eligible to receive the same financial aid package. To discuss specifics of financial aid packages, please contact The HUB.
Students will be responsible for their own dining costs. Student housing is equipped with a full kitchen and students will be able to prepare their own meals.
Financial Assistance
Housing & Living
Housing
- Walking distance to three metro stops
- New Safeway grocery store across the street
- Fitness center with cardio theatre
- Twenty-four-hour concierge
- Rooftop swimming pool
- Granite countertops with stainless steel appliances
- Full size washer/dryer
- Hi-speed Internet access
- Digital cable package
Photos courtesy of TurnKey.



Living in DC
Living in Washington, DC, will provide students with academic and professional growth as well as interesting social and life experiences. DC offers a wealth of museums, restaurants, movies, clubs, sporting events, networking, speaker’s series, and festivals that are readily available to the public.
Popular resources for events include The Washington Post’s Going Out Guide, Washington City Paper’s events page, and Washingtonian’s Things to Do.
Internships
Internships are crucial. They confirm your interest. They get your foot in the door. They create networks. Find your next one here.
Carnegie Mellon University Washington Semester Program (CMU/WSP) staff provides comprehensive and hands-on support to help students find and successfully complete the ideal internship that aligns with their professional goals and personal interests. Our personalized approach ensures that every student receives the guidance and resources needed to succeed in Washington, DC.
Participating in the Washington Semester Program or planning to complete a summer internship in DC? Explore opportunities based on your interests. Check out the links to explore a variety of organizations in DC.
Internship Search Support
Support During the Internship
Qualifications for CMU/WSP Internships
Check out these additional search tools
Learn more about previous students' WSP internship experience

Cohorts
Spring 2025 Cohort
Student
|
Internship
|
Major(s)
|
BrookeLynn Acevedo | Friendship Children's Center, Marketing & Comms | Behavioral Economics |
Anthony Cacciato | Office of Andrew Garbarino (R-NY 2nd District) | Economics and Politics |
Daniel Chia | American Enterprise Institute, Center on Opportunity and Social Mobility | Decision Science |
Noah Gonzalez | Winning Connections, AI Research | Statistics & Machine Learning |
Stevie Miller | Reason Magazine | Decision Science & History |
Jennie Nguyen | Council on American Islamic Relations, Development | Business Administration |
Lauren Oh | The Department of Energy, Office of Technology Transitions |
Environmental Engineering and Engineering and Public Policy |
Past Cohorts
Alumni Networking
Forge valuable connections. Our alumni network is your gateway to a wider professional community.
The Washington Semester Program has a vast alumni network and provides current students with various opportunities to meet alumni in the DC area. These engagements help students gain unique access to the nation’s capital with insight from those who were once a DC intern. There are a lot of great ways for our alumni to give back and continue their involvement within the WSP community including participating in CMU/WSP-led networking events.