Semester Based Study Programs

Southwestern has two domestic experiences that allow Builders to enjoy and extended learning experience outside of the borders of Kansas and in environments that are stimulating and exciting.

Chicago Center for Urban Life and Culture
The Chicago Center for Urban Life and Culture was established in the late 1960s by a group of college professors and students who wanted to create an urban, hands-on learning environment.  Intentionally located in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago, the award-winning program has relationships with several hundred internship sites in Chicago.

Washington Internship Institute
During a semester or summer participating in the Washington Internship Institute in Washington, DC, students learn about themselves and their fields through substantive internships, academic enrichment seminars, site visits, and shared housing. They become engaged and informed citizens and leaders who are equipped to make a difference in the world.

Chicago Center for Urban Life and Culture

Internship experiences exist in many different subject areas, including but not limited to:

• Business and Economics
• Chicago Public Schools
• Communication
• International Studies
• Gender Studies
• History
• Medical and Health Services
• Politics and Public Service
• Psychology
• Religion, Peace and Justice
• Sociology, Social Work
• Spanish, French, Chinese, etc.
• Visual and Performing Arts

HOW DO I SIGN UP?
Southwestern students may participate in semester, May Term and summer session experiences.

1. Download Southwestern College’s Chicago Urban Life Center Approval Form and instruction sheet from the web.
2. Submit the appropriate application forms from the Chicago Center website.
3. Make an appointment with the designated Southwestern College campus liaison, Alleigh Allen.
4. Make an appointment with Student Accounts to discuss charges to your bill.
5. Make an appointment with Financial Aid to discuss aid contributions and deadlines and receive an estimate of your charges and financial aid.
6. Receive appropriate approvals from the campus liaison and the Southwestern College Office of the Registrar.

DEADLINES
Students who wish to participate in the Chicago Center for Urban Life and Culture program must have completed the steps above by the end of early course selection for each semester.  Early course selection for the fall semester is typically held in March.  Early course selection for the spring is typically held in November.

Applications to the Chicago Center are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

CHARGES
Charges differ depending on if the experience is a semester-long, May Term or summer session experience.  Charges typically include Southwestern College tuition, a program fee (for room, board, books, train and bus passes, and cultural events) and an out-of-pocket city activity fee.  Details concerning the charges may be obtained from Student Accounts.

Tuition and program fee charges are handled through the Southwestern College student account.  Southwestern College charges participating students for full-time tuition as well as for the Chicago Center program fee.  The Chicago Center then bills Southwestern College for the program’s expenses and Southwestern pays the bill from the amount collected on the student’s account.

FINANCIAL AID
Southwestern students usually continue receiving some forms of financial aid while at the Chicago Center for Urban Life and Culture.  State and Federal scholarships grants and loans are normally available for legitimate study away from campus.  Southwestern also offers a limited number of Builder's Abroad Scholarships.  To review the complete policy, visit the Study Abroad section of the Office of Financial Aid Website.

Washington Internship Institute

Find the program that's perfect for you!  Washington Internship Institute (WII) students have interned at several organizations, offices, and associations in the Washington D.C. area.  During the internship placement process your program coordinator at WII works with you to find internships that fit your interests and qualifications. Then you choose the internship that’s right for you.

Capital Experience - Available each fall, spring, and summer.
Shape policy. Attend Congressional hearings. Write press releases. Develop marketing plans. Participate in meetings. Plan events. Perform scientific experiments. Interns in WII’s Capital Experience internship program accomplish these activities and more! Past intern experiences include: a research intern at the Center for Women Policy Studies, a development intern at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, a marketing intern for the Washington Capitals hockey team, a human resources intern for the Corporate Executive Board, and a public relations intern at Edelman.
 
Embassy Scholars - Available each fall, spring, and summer.
Study “Abroad” in Washington, DC! Are you curious about career options? Are you wondering what to expect in the professional world? Do you want to be even more prepared for your future? Recent placements include: an international development internship at the Citizens Network for Foreign Affairs, a policy internship at the State Department NATO office, and internships at the Embassy of Mexico and Embassy of France. Although many internships are with international organizations, all students intern in Washington, DC.

Go Green!  - Available each fall, spring, and summer.
In a city with dozens of national and international organizations focused on environmental issues, students will choose the internship that best fits their interests.  Potential internships include tracking national legislation for the Environmental Protection Agency, writing press releases for World Wildlife Fund, or researching energy issues for the Climate Institute.

HOW DO I SIGN UP?
Students must have earned at least 60 credits and have at least a 2.5 GPA to be eligible to apply to study at the Institute. Southwestern students may participate in semester and summer session experiences.

1. Download the Washington Experience booklet.
2. Contact the Washington Experience Program Coordinator, Alleigh Allen to discuss your plans for internship and be pre-selected for the program. In this conversation, discuss and receive approval for Southwestern College coursework substitutions.
3. Make an appointment with College Services to discuss charges for your chosen program.
4. Make an appointment with the Office of Financial Aid to discuss options for financing the program.
5. Apply by completing the online Washington Internship Institute application! 

Once accepted into the program:

1. Provide the registrar with a copy of the approved coursework substitutions.
2. Enroll in LAS 394 – The Washington Experience for the correct number of hours (15 for the Spring and Fall semester and 12 for the Summer semester).

DEADLINES
Students who wish to participate in the Washington Experience must have sent their full application by their deadlines:

• View Washington Experience Program Deadlines

Applications to the Washington Internship Institute are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis as WII has a rolling admissions policy. They encourage students to apply three to six months before the semester of their choice.  Many organizations have early deadlines, and they want to give students the best choices of possible internships.

Some government agencies require security clearance and thus have very early application deadlines. If you think you might be interested in one of these organizations (e.g. State Department, Department of Justice, White House), please apply at least nine months before the semester starts.

CHARGES
Charges differ depending on if the experience is a semester-long or summer session experience.  Charges typically include Southwestern College tuition and a fee for housing provided by the Washington Internship Experience program.  A non-refundable, $500 tuition deposit is due upon acceptance to the program.  Southwestern College will pay this deposit upfront on behalf of the student, however, if the student does not participate in the internship, the $500 non-refundable deposit will still be charged to the student’s Southwestern account.   Other charges and expenses that will be the sole responsibility of the student are a $50 application fee and a $100 refundable housing deposit as well as food, Metro fees, and entertainment expenses in the Washington DC area. 

Tuition and housing charges are handled through the Southwestern College student account.  Southwestern College charges participating students for full-time tuition as well as for the exact amount of the Washington Internship Institute’s housing fee.  The Washington Internship Institute then bills Southwestern College for the program’s expenses and Southwestern pays the bill from the amount collected on the student’s account.  Southwestern College requires that a student’s account, including charges for the Washington Internship Institute and all previous charges, be paid in full prior to leaving for the Washington Internship experience.

FINANCIAL AID
In addition to scholarship opportunities available directly from the Institute, Southwestern students usually continue receiving financial aid while at the Washington Internship Institute.  State and Federal scholarships, grants and loans are normally available for legitimate study away from campus.  Southwestern also offers a limited number of Builders Abroad Scholarships.  To review the complete policy, visit the Study Abroad section of the Office of Financial Aid Website.