American Studies Program

A semester in our nation's capital will give Messiah College students a firsthand taste of how our government works. Besides learning about current issues in policy modules taught by American Studies Program faculty, Washington policy experts and federal agency executives, students will participate in part-time internships.

This program, sponsored by the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, is open to students in all majors who have desire to learn about national and international policy.

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Program Advisor
Dr. Dean Curry, Boyer 456, 717.776.2511 Ext. 2420

Goals and Objectives
The American Studies Program attempts to help students explore public policy and current issues in the light of Biblical truth and to prepare students to live as Christians in our society.

Internships
Twenty-hour-a-week internships in organizations, such as the Department of Justice, White House, Congress, Associated Press, Library of Congress, Christian Legal Society, Samaritan Ministries, Heritage Foundation, and the Smithsonian Institute, give students hands-on experience. Program advisors attempt to place students according to their interests.

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.

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.

Costs (2008 - 2009)
Messiah College tuition plus Messiah room fees.

Application Deadlines