Washington Journalism Center

A semester in our nation’s capital will give Messiah College students a firsthand taste of how our government works. Through coursework, students will develop hard-news writing skills, study the history and future of Washington, and examine the role of Christians in the media.  A 12-week internship experience will give students hands-on, practical knowledge, which is crucial in the journalism industry.  A WJC internship class provides students with mentoring and supervision during their mainstream newsroom experiences.  Students will live in four- to six-person apartments in the CCCU’s Dellenback Center, 8 blocks from the Supreme Court and the U.S. Capitol.  They also engage in service learning in order to avoid a tourist outlook and function as genuine Washington residents.

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Goals and Objectives

The Washington Journalism Center will help students enhance reporting and writing skills, critically assess the media output they encounter daily, and learn to function as professional journalists.  Through service opportunities, students will also discover and address the physical needs felt by many occupants of Washington, D.C.

Requirements
Students must have completed two full years of college and have at least a 2.75 GPA to qualify for the program. Each semester the American Studies Program accepts a total of 40 students. Students are required to attend all Messiah-run pre-departure orientation sessions the semester before studying abroad as well as half-day reentry retreat upon returning to campus the following semester.

Credits
Students earn sixteen credits through the seminars and internship. Political Science majors can apply nine of their credits toward their major. Courses taken will appear on Messiah transcripts with letter grades. Please refer to the grade conversion chart.

Participation in this program does not meet cross-cultural requirements. 

Costs 2013 - 2014  $18,345, plus $300 deposit
Fee covers tuition, housing, educational excursions, pre-departure, and re-entry orientation.  Meals are not included.  Note: additional fees students may encounter include local transportation and meals. Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from Washington, D.C. 

For comparison, a typical semester in Grantham for 2013-2014 is $19,655.

Application Deadlines

A $50 application fee must accompany your application.

For more information about Washington, D.C., check out:

	Smithsonian Institute
	US Senate
	US House of Representatives
	White House