Belmont USA students pose in front of the podium at the Pentagon in Washington

Belmont USA: Washington D.C.

Belmont USA

Belmont USA in Washington D.C.

Belmont University partners with the Washington Internship Institute to offer academic and experiential learning with an internship in the heart of Washington, D.C. The mission of the Washington Internship Institute is to foster students’ intellectual, personal, and professional development through quality internships and challenging academic coursework that take full advantage of the opportunities in the nation’s capital.

Program Curriculum

Four days out of the week, you will contribute to meaningful projects and tasks in professional settings as part of the Internship.

The other day of the week, you will take two courses—the Core Course (3 credit hours) and the Internship Seminar (3 credit hours)—designed to enhance your internship experience and future career. WII’s faculty includes top policy professionals and leading academics who guide you in examining policy issues. You may choose your core course which includes:

  • Inside Washington: Politics and Policy
  • International and Foreign Policy Studies

Occasionally other special topics core courses are offered, such as:

  • Global Health Policy Studies
  • Global Women’s Leadership Development
  • Environmental Law and Policy Studies

Specific course information can be found on the program's page on Belmont Global under Academics

View Available Courses

Program Details

Internships are required and an integral part of the Belmont USA in Washington D.C. experience. Washington Internship Institute will assist you in securing your internship - learn more about their processes here. You will meet with the internship coordinator in your college to discuss the process for earning academic credit for your internship and courses taken at Washington Internship Institute.

Are You Eligible to Apply?

In order to be eligible for study in Belmont USA in Washington D.C., applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Complete at least 64 credit hours and be of junior standing by the start of the program.
  • Carry a minimum of a 2.75 cumulative institutional grade point average at time of application and start of the program.
  • Be in good academic and financial standing from the time of application through completion of the program.
  • Students on academic probation cannot participate in Belmont USA, even if the probation occurs after acceptance to the program.
  • Intern for credit while studying at Belmont WII.
    • All prerequisite work for internship eligibility, based on your major, must be completed by the time of program start. You must have taken or be enrolled in any prerequisite work at time of application.
  • Show significant progression towards Well Core completion as follows:
    • If applying as a first semester of your junior year, you must have no more than 30 Well Core credits remaining by the application deadline.
    • If applying as a second semester of your junior year, you must have no more than 20 Well Core credits remaining by the application deadline.
    • If applying as a first semester of your senior year, you must have no more than 10 Well Core credits remaining by the application deadline.
    • If applying for your final semester at Belmont, you must have completed your Well Core requirement by the application deadline.
    • Well Core credits will be checked by the Belmont USA coordinator on or around the application deadline. If the Well Core requirements aren’t met, the application will be incomplete and therefore will not be moved forward for review.
    • Note: Students who become ineligible after acceptance for any of the above reasons MUST pay the program fee balance.

Deadlines

Term Application Open Date Application Deadline
Spring 2025 August 1, 2024 October 1, 2024

Selection Process

  • Academic performance, professional experience, maturity and overall preparedness for the program are considered in the selection process.
  • Students not meeting minimum qualifications and/or with prior academic or non-academic infractions may be eliminated from the application pool.
  • Please note that you must also apply and be accepted through Washington Internship Institute

Housing

You will be housed in a furnished apartment with up to 3 other students in the Court House  neighborhood of Arlington, VA.

Apartment Features

  • 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms shared by 4 students
  • Furniture, including couches, dining set, beds, and dressers
  • Washer and dryer in the unit
  • Utilities (gas, electric, water, internet) included
  • Full kitchen with birch cabinetry, granite-inspired countertops, plank flooring, premium appliances, and basic housewares

Transportation

The Crystal City subway is a five-minute walk from your housing. It is suggested that you do not bring a car. (A limited number of parking spaces are available in the garage for an additional fee. )

Georgia McKee

Georgia McKee '21 | Faith & Social Justice

"I worked for an international NGO, SOS Children’s Villages, as a Donor Stewardship & Communications intern. I chose them because of the organization’s global accreditation, their mission that held close to my convictions, and it was only two blocks away from the White House."

Belmont USA and Washington Internship Institute Program Staff

Belmont USA in Washington D.C. is administered by staff in Nashville and Washington, D.C. In Nashville, the Belmont USA Assistant Director manages the application and pre-departure processes and communicates with all students prior to their arrival in Washington D.C. In Washington D.C, the Washington Internship Institute mentors you through your internship experience.

Belmont USA

Siobhan Harren (Nashville)

Assistant Director, Belmont USA
Email: belmontusa@belmont.edu
View Bio

Contact Us

Belmont USA is coordinated through the Office of Study Abroad.

Campus Location:  1009 Janet Ayers Academic Center 
Mailing Address: 1900 Belmont Boulevard, Nashville, TN 37212
Email:  belmontusa@belmont.edu