US: Scripps in DC

Overview 

Ohio University’s Semester in Washington, D.C. program gives students from a wide range of majors the opportunity to live, learn and complete a professional internship in the nation’s capital.

Our program welcomes students from across the Scripps College of Communication, the College of Arts and Sciences and the Honors Tutorial College.

Whether you are interested in government, public policy, law, politics, advocacy, nonprofit leadership, research, communications, media, technology, arts, culture, history or the humanities, the program offers an immersive way to connect your academic interests with professional experience in Washington.

Students learn directly from professionals working throughout the D.C. region, including those in:

• Journalism and media
• Photography and visual storytelling
• Strategic and political communication
• Federal and local government
• Public policy and advocacy
• Law and public affairs
• Nonprofit organizations and associations
• Museums, galleries and cultural institutions
• Historic preservation and public history
• Research and data analysis
• Technology and digital communication
• Community engagement and public service

Courses

During the fall and spring semesters, the first four weeks of the term will be spent in a seminar setting, with each week focusing on different topics. (During summer, the first two weeks of the program are seminars.) Students will receive three credit hours for each week of classes. Those participating in the program will meet with a wide range of industry professionals from media outlets, tech firms, communication-related operations of government, public policy professionals and non-profit organizations working in the Washington D.C. area. Students meet with professionals from government agencies, congressional offices, media organizations, cultural institutions, nonprofit groups, think tanks, advocacy organizations, technology firms and other institutions throughout the Washington, D.C. area.

Internships

Internships are a central part of the Semester in Washington, D.C. experience.

Students work with the program’s on-site director to identify and pursue placements aligned with their interests. Previous students have interned with congressional offices, government agencies, media organizations, Smithsonian institutions, nonprofit groups, public-policy organizations, advocacy groups and other employers throughout the Washington region.

Internship opportunities vary by semester and depend on employer needs, application deadlines, student qualifications and areas of interest. Students should be prepared for a rigorous and competitive application process that may begin one or two semesters before their arrival in Washington, D.C. The program provides support throughout the experience—from résumé and cover-letter review to interview preparation and end-of-internship performance evaluations—but students are ultimately responsible for researching opportunities, submitting applications, completing interviews and securing their own placements. The program also maintains a growing network of internship partners offering opportunities specifically for interested Ohio University students across media, public policy and advocacy. Many of these opportunities include financial support through employer-paid wages or stipends, program scholarships or funding from university partners. Contact Hebah Abdalla Lehmann at abdallah@ohio.edu for additional information.

Mentorships

Students are paired with experienced mentors, including Washington, D.C.-area alumni and professionals who can offer guidance as they adjust to the city, begin their internships and explore potential career paths. Mentors provide an additional layer of support by sharing practical advice, introducing students to professional networks and helping them reflect on their goals and experiences. Many of these relationships continue beyond the semester, giving students a lasting connection to the OHIO community in Washington.

Activities and Cultural Immersion

Living in Washington, D.C. gives students the opportunity to experience the city as both a professional center and a vibrant cultural community. Program activities may include visits to museums, monuments, historic sites, cultural institutions, government offices, media organizations, performances and public events. Students are also encouraged to explore the city’s diverse neighborhoods, restaurants, festivals and arts scene, gaining a broader understanding of the people, history and cultures that shape the nation’s capital.

Living Arrangements

All students will live in furnished apartments at The Lansburgh in the District of Columbia and conveniently located to public transportation. Housing costs are included in the program fee. Any additional anticipated costs will be outlined in the student budget worksheet. Roommate assignments may include students from universities other than Ohio University.

Program Dates

Fall 2026 Semester: August 24, 2026 to December 4, 2026

Spring 2027 Semester: January 11, 2027 to April 24, 2027

Summer 2027 Semester: May 10, 2027 - August 13, 2027

This program is offered annually each fall, spring, and summer semester.

*Student housing move-in will be scheduled on the Saturday preceding the semester.

Academics

FALL and SPRING: 12 credit hours from 4 classes listed below.

• Week 1: VICO/JOUR 4001 Covering D.C.
• Week 2: VICO/JOUR 4902 Semester in D.C.: Seminar I
• Week 3: VICO/JOUR 4903 Semester in D.C.: Seminar II
• Week 4: VICO/JOUR 4904 Semester in D.C.: Seminar III

Each course will have an intensive week-long seminar during weeks 1-4 and will have grading and work products due throughout the remainder of the program dates.   

SUMMER: 6 credit hours from two courses listed below:

• Week 1: VICO/JOUR 4001 Covering D.C.
• Week 2: VICO/JOUR 4902 Semester in D.C.: Seminar I

BOTH PROGRAMS: 4 credit hours for JOUR/VICO from the course listed below:

• VICO/JOUR 4926 Semester in D.C.: Practicum

During the Fall and Spring Semester programs, students begin their internship placements in Week 5, whereas students in the Summer Semester program begin internships in Week 3.  These placements are expected to be full time for the remaining 10 weeks (Fall or Spring) or eight weeks (Summer).  Students will work with the on-site director of Scripps in D.C. Hebah Abdalla, to prepare for the internship application process.

Cost 

The following information is intended to help participants understand the estimated costs associated with the program.  For additional information regarding program costs, please refer to Understanding Program Costs for Ohio-Credit Programs. 

The total estimated cost is expected to be:

• Fall 2026 estimate:  $7,103 + 16 Credits of Fall 2025 Athens-Campus Tuition/Fees*
• Spring 2027 estimate: $7,103 + 16 Credits of Spring 2026 Athens-Campus Tuition/Fees*
• Summer 2027 estimate:  $7,574 + 10 Credits of Summer 2026 Athens-Campus Tuition/Fees*

*Tuition/fees are assessed based on individual Tuition Guarantee or Graduate Program of Study (refer to Bursars for more information).

Looking for Funding Opportunities? 

Scholarships are awarded for academic achievement and/or financial need and do not have to be repaid. Common scholarships include OHIO Signature Awards (such as OHIO Promise) and others, like the Templeton or Cutler Scholarship.

More information on financial aid and scholarships can be found on our funding pages.

Eligibility and Requirements

Open to sophomores and higher with preference given to juniors and seniors. Students must also have a minimum grade point average of 3.0. This program is open to all Scripps College of Communication majors and minors, and students majoring in Political Science in the College of Arts and Sciences.

In the online application, students must include:

• a 250 word personal statement explaining how participating in a Washington D.C.-based program fits their career goals,
• a resume,
• contact information for two references (at least one Scripps faculty or staff reference for Scripps students; at least one Political Science faculty or staff reference for Political Science students)
• a copy of their DARS.

An interview with one of the Program Directors will also be required.

Students who will be on probation at any point during the program for a conduct offense that took place less than a calendar year from the program start date may not study away. Read the entire conduct policy.

Participants must have a at least a high school diploma or the equivalent (e.g. GED) by the start date of the program to be considered for eligibility. Students enrolled in College Credit Plus (CC+) are not eligible for study away programs.

Resources

• Health and Safety
• Accessibility Requests and Accommodations

Student Testimonials

Scripps in DC is a can't-miss opportunity! But don't just take our word for it. Hear from our former participants.

"[A] highlight has been the mentorship aspect of the program. I’ve been paired with a DC-based alum, Hannah Campbell, who completed the program in 2022. I would not just consider her to be a mentor, but a true friend. I find that to be very unique about the program."

-Katie Raines, sophomore political science and sociology-criminology double major

Alumni, students reflect on Scripps Semester in D.C. experiences (ohio.edu)

Follow Scripps in DC on social media for more student perspectives:

• Instagram: @ouscrippsinDC
• Instagram: @ScrippsinDC
• X (formerly Twitter): @ScrippsinDC
• X (formerly Twitter): @scrippsin5873