Overview
UCDC is an academic
program created in 1997 for the purpose of providing approximately 30
students per quarter an opportunity to continue their studies while
interning for a quarter in Washington D.C. Moreover, the
availability of a 4-unit research seminar that satisfies
upper-division course requirements for a number of majors affords
students the opportunity to reflect on and enlist their intern
experiences in an academic exercise. UCDC is also a residential
program with apartments at the centrally-located, UC Washington
Center. Not only does this facilitate relocating temporarily in
the nation's capital, the Center offers students a rich exposure to
the Washington community through tours and an evening speaker
series. Since its inception, hundreds of UCSD students have
included UCDC in their educational experience. You can too!
Course Credit
Students are required to stay enrolled for a minimum of twelve
units to participate in the program. All participants pay UCSD
registration fees and remain eligible for financial aid if
regular UCSD standards (twelve units = full time) are met.
Students must check with their individual major department
regarding the use of internship credit (POLI 197I) towards their
major. Elective-course credit and research seminar credit
(including grading option) is at the discretion of each major
department.
-
Internship Credit
Political Science 197I (6- or 8-units, Pass/Not Pass):
Internship and related assignments and responsibilities. The
units are upper-division general elective credit;
check with your
academic department regarding application of credit toward your
major. (These units
may
not be used toward the Political Science major requirements).
-
Research Seminar Credit
Political Science (POLI 194); Communication (COGN
194); Urban
Studies and Planning (USP 194); Cognitive Science (COGS 194);
History (HITO 193); Sociology (SOCE) 194; (4 units):
Development and completion of an independent research project
under the supervision of the Washington Center Director, a UCSD
Professor, and guided by a teaching assistant. Students from
departments other than those listed above should contact their
academic department to determine if this course will be counted
toward their major.
-
Elective Course Credit
Upper-Division Elective Course (4-units): From a selection of
courses offered by UC Washington Center faculty.
Housing and
Facilities
You are required to live in the
UC Washington
Center, located at 1608
Rhode Island Ave, NW, Washington, D.C., 20036. The building
includes living quarters for students, classrooms, state of the art
teaching technology, a fitness center, lounges and
auditorium. The
apartments are 2 bedroom/1 bathroom, four students per apartment, fully furnished, fully equipped kitchens, microwaves, cable TV in
the living rooms, and high speed internet connections at every
bedside. Housing costs include all amenities
except sheets and towels. We recommend you refer to the checklist
(pdf)
of items to bring with you. Housing fees of approximately $2,400 are paid in
advance, for some quarters as early as 3-4 weeks after being admitted
to the program.
Quarterly Schedule
in D.C.
Each
quarter is extended to approximately 11 weeks and you return to San
Diego the weekend before finals week on campus. There is no finals
week in DC.
-
Fall quarter:
You
arrive one
week earlier than the normal fall quarter on campus begins and
return at the end of 10th week.
-
Winter quarter:
You arrive the first week in January and return at the end of
week 10.
-
Spring quarter:
You arrive when spring break starts and return at the end of
10th week. This usually gives graduating seniors 1 week back in
San Diego to prepare for ceremonies.
Program Costs
University fees are the same as for a quarter on campus, but the
cost of living in Washington is higher. Estimated total fees
and living expenses (including round trip airfare, housing, food
and meals, books and supplies, local commuting, clothing, and
other personal expenses) per quarter run in the range of $6,700
- $7200. Here is a sample of the
budget (pdf)
that we provide students. Of course, this will vary for
different individuals. Financial aid recipients will be given a
budget to take to their financial aid officer so their aid
amount may be increased accordingly. Financial aid recipients
with a minimum 3.0 GPA are automatically considered for the UC
President’s Washington DC Scholarship.
Eligibility
You
are eligible to apply if you complete the following requirements by
the beginning of the quarter prior to the one in which you go to
D.C. (i.e., if applying for Fall quarter, the following requirements
need to be completed by the time the previous Spring quarter ends).
-
90 units
-
At least 2
upper-division courses
-
2.5 GPA
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