Political Science

  • CSUN in DC Interns Lunch with President Beck

    CSUN in DC Interns Lunch with President Beck

  • CSUN in DC Interns with Salud Carbajal

    DC Interns with Salud Carbajal

  • Spring 2018 Interns with Sen. Diane Feinstein
  • Spring 2018 Interns with Karen Bass
  • CSUN in DC Interns in front of Washington Monument

    CSUN in DC Interns in front of Washington Monument

  • Group of DC supporters, interns, and alumni at the May reception

DC Internship

Summer 2024 CSUN in DC Internship Program Applications Now Available

Intern with offices and organizations in our nation's capital as part of the D.C. Internship Program. Earn up to 15 units towards graduation.

Open to all majors!

CSUN in DC Application (.pdf)

CSUN in DC Letter of Recommendation Form (.pdf)


CSUN in DC LogoWhat is CSUN in DC?

In the CSUN in DC Internship Program, students live, work, and learn in our nation’s capital.  Students move to Washington, D.C. for the Spring or Summer term, intern with Capitol Hill offices, agencies, advocacy groups, non-profits, museums, embassies, or private firms, and take classes with faculty on-site.  The program is open to all majors and it is truly a transformative experience for the roughly 45-50 students that participate each year.

How Does it Work?

Students in the CSUN in DC program secure internships tailored to their career goals so that they can develop as professionals, enhance their skill-set, and begin to build their professional network.  Students typically work 25-40 hours per week and receive mentoring from their internship site supervisor as well as from the faculty on-site in Washington, D.C.  In recent years, CSUN students have interned in a wide variety of offices including members and committees in Congress, agencies, non-profits, advocacy organizations, private firms, embassies, and museums.  Students also take classes in the evenings with on-site faculty.

Can I Afford It?

CSUN in DC costs include tuition, housing, transportation, food, and other personal expenses.  But the program has funding available to help students with these costs and many of the internships come with financial support or are paid. Tuition is exactly the same for students as it is for the Spring or Summer term at Northridge and financial aid applies the same as if the student is in residence at CSUN. You CAN do this! Come talk to us about how you can participate.

Selected Program Data:

  • More than 300 students have participated over the years and the program continues to grow.  
  • Selected internship placements include: Sen. Dianne Feinstein, Sen. Jeff Flake, Rep. Mike Garcia, Rep. Nancy Pelosi, Rep. Adam Schiff, Office of the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Department of Veterans Affairs, Human Rights Campaign, National Education Association, Heritage Foundation, National Museum of American History, Embassy of Mexico, HACU, National Defense University, and Ford’s Theater.
  • CSUN in DC students are as diverse as our student body.  72% come from traditionally under-represented groups, 57% are Pell-eligible, and 60% are first-generation college students.
  • CSUN in DC students graduate.  29% of DC Interns who entered CSUN as first-time freshmen graduated in 4 years (more than twice the campus average) and virtually every student who has participated has either graduated or is still enrolled and on a path to graduate soon.
  • 35% of DC Interns graduated with honors and the average CSUN GPA among them is 3.27.

For More Information:

If you have questions about the program, email Dr. Lawrence Becker or Dr. Tyler Hughes at dcinterns@csun.edu.


In Midst of Minneapolis Protests, Student Photographer Shares Movement with the World

July 25, 2020

Brandon Bell

It was May 27, just two days after Minneapolis police fatally restrained a Black man named George Floyd, setting off protests for justice and equality around the world. Bell said he’d gone to get some fresh air in Downtown LA and walked into the middle of a crowd of people demanding change. Read more

CSUN in DC Alumna Clarissa Rojas Lands Top Role on Capitol Hill

December 11, 2019

Photo of Clarissa Rojas in front of the United States Capitol

At 23 years old, CSUN alumna Clarissa Rojas ’18 (Journalism) is relatively new to Capitol Hill and the halls of power. Unlike her contemporaries and other recent college graduates, however, she has already vaulted right into a prominent position in Washington D.C. This fall, Rojas landed a job as communications director for Rep. Darren Soto (D-Florida). Read more about Clarissa's story here Read more

CSUN Sends its First Deaf Studies Intern to Washington, D.C.

December 20, 2018

The University Library

Ana Maritza Rivera will be the first Deaf Studies student from CSUN to attend the DC Internship! Read more

Congratulations to two of our Spring 2018 CSUN in DC Interns

April 18, 2018

The University Library

Congratulations to two of our Spring 2018 D.C. students, Matthew Yanez and Francisco Preciado, on their scholarships granted by the University of the District of Columbia! Read more

CSUN in DC Intern co-authored for The National Interest

April 18, 2018

The University Library

Our very own Nathaniel DeBevoise, currently interning in DC, has contributed to an article discussing Trump's newest National Security Advisor, John Bolton. Read more

CSUN in DC Interns Meet Paul Ryan

April 16, 2018

The University Library

Students Jordan Dixon-Hamilton and Jacob Bliss had the unique opportunity to meet with Speaker of the House Paul Ryan through the CSUN in DC internship program! Read more

CSUN in DC Intern Publishes Post on Trans Elders for the National Center for Transgender Equality

March 27, 2018

The University Library

Communications major and Queer Studies minor Michaé Pulido published an article "Respect Your Trans Elders: Two Justice Warriors Who Paved the Way for Today’s Trans Movement” as part of their DC Internship with the National Center for Transgender Equality. Read more

CSUN in DC Intern Publishes Piece for Scenic America

March 1, 2018

The University Library

CSUN student Makenna Sievertson published an article on Dr. Patrick Frank for Scenic America, where she is currently interning through the CSUN in DC program. Read more

Political Science Major Contributes to Magazine

February 7, 2018

The University Library

Political science major Karina Perez co-authored an article featured in the magazine Room: the Space Journal. Read more