Who said Baruch was only a New York–based college? For the first time, Baruch students will have an opportunity to live and study in Washington, D.C. The program, which kicks off in Spring 2012, is being offered to Master of Public Administration students who have completed at least one semester at the School of Public Affairs.
“The Washington Semester Program offers SPA students the opportunity to see firsthand how the nation’s capital works and how the various institutional players exert influence on policy,” says Public Affairs Dean David Birdsell. “D.C. experience is de rigueur for people who want to shape and implement policy at the national level. But even someone who never intends to leave New York needs to know our federal system and will be able to provide stronger service locally with this kind of study and internship under their belt.”
The program will consist of 12 credits: Two courses and an internship of 20 hours per week. Internships will be available in legislative offices on Capitol Hill, in federal agencies, and in nonprofit associations. Michel Feller, executive director of SPA in Washington, will oversee the students’ progress in their respective internships.
Regular cohort get-togethers will be organized for students to stay in touch, compare experiences, and share insights.
But how much does it cost? The cost for the D.C. semester is the same as the tuition for 12 credits in New York.
SPA will help place students in substantial internships, but the College will not arrange housing. “While we won’t be able to broker housing arrangements for students in the program,” explained SPA’s Director of Operations and Finance Angelina Delgado, “we will help to connect them with student housing services in the district. They’ll be well taken care of.”
—Mercedes Sanchez