Capitol Hill Internship Program
The Capitol Hill Internship Program (CHIP) connects Nebraska Wesleyan students to exciting internships only found in Washington, D.C.
- Gain practical, direct experience working in a unique professional setting.
- Earn up to 15 credit hours in classes and seminars.
- Live in a Capitol Hill townhouse with fellow students who nurture and support your experience.
Internship opportunities
CHIP students have a unique opportunity to intern at government agencies, nonprofit organizations, associations, lobbying firms, private corporations and in legislative, executive and judicial branches.
But securing the right internship can be a challenge. As you explore internships that match your interests and skills, the CHIP director may help you:
- narrow your list of possibilities
- apply to those organizations that best fit your goals
- prepare for candidate interviews
- decide which internship offer fits you best.
- Check out recent CHIP placements.
- Bracewell, LLP
- Bread for the World
- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms
- Center for European Policy Analysis
- Citizens' Climate Lobby
- D.C. Public Defender Service
- Sierra Club
- Smithsonian Institution
- Supreme Court of the United States
- The White House
- U.S. Department of Justice
- U.S. Department of State
- U.S. House of Representatives
- U.S. Senate
- Washington Performing Arts
- Woodrow Wilson House
Academic credit
A CHIP internship is an intensive learning experience. The 15-week program features a 32-hour workweek combined with an academic curriculum that enhances your Capitol Hill experience.
Internship: 9 credit hours
You’ll establish learning goals with your supervisor at the beginning of your internship. You’ll track your progress in a weekly journal. At the end of your internship, you will submit a detailed report analyzing your experience.
Seminar: 3 credit hours
Your internship seminar meets weekly to discuss current issues in Washington, D.C., with experts in various fields. You’ll explore a wide range of issues, organizations and career paths.
Coursework: 3 credit hours
You’ll choose one of three courses taught at the CHIP House. Past courses have included topics on lobbying, Middle East politics, communications and culture.
CHIP House
CHIP interns live in a red-brick, three-story townhouse in the heart of D.C. The CHIP House is walking distance from the Capitol, House and Senate offices, the Smithsonian, Union Station and Capitol South Metro stops, as well as countless restaurants, shops and markets.
Interns enjoy a fully furnished living space with leisure seating, TVs, dressers, paid utilities, basic cable and WiFi. The CHIP House provides linens, household goods, dishes and cookware as well as onsite laundry and a cleaning service for common areas.
Costs
- Pay your regular tuition to NWU like any other semester. Your NWU financial aid remains fully applicable.
- Housing is $3,500 for the semester with a $250 nonrefundable deposit due with your application.
- You are responsible for food and transportation.
Requirements
CHIP participants must:
- be an NWU undergraduate student
- hold a 3.0 GPA
- have completed POLSC-1000 or POLSC-1010.
Application process
To apply for the program, email your completed CHIP Application to Zachary Baumann at zbaumann [at] mikeshiner.com (zbaumann[at]nebrwesleyan[dot]edu).
Include with your application:
- a resume developed with the help of the Career Center
- your unofficial transcripts
- a nonrefundable $250 housing deposit
After you submit your application, you’ll be contacted to schedule an interview with the CHIP review panel.
The application deadline for the fall semester is October 1.
The application deadline for the spring semester is March 15.
Learn more
Find more information on the CHIP website.
Or contact NWU’s CHIP coordinator, Assistant Professor of Political Science Zachary Baumann at zbaumann [at] mikeshiner.com (zbaumann[at]nebrwesleyan[dot]edu).
