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WAIP is for all Buckeyes!

The Washington Academic Internship Program complements your academic and career goals with immersive personal, professional and academic development in the nation’s capital! 

WAIP schedule:

  • Intern 20-32 hours per week
  • Weekly evening guest speakers
  • Weekly evening policy class
  • Study tours throughout the region

Students of any major can enroll in WAIP. Explore the opportunities by major.

Public Affairs students made up 33% of WAIP participants over the past two years.
69% of Public Affairs students in WAIP had paid internships.

Public Affairs student placements (SU ‘22 - SU ‘24)

  • 42.9% Nonprofit
  • 20.4% Research/Consulting
  • 20.4% Private Company
  • 14.3% National Government


Past Public Affairs Internships:

  • Alignment Government Strategies
  • Partnership for Public Service
  • American Maritime Congress

Political Science students made up 23% of WAIP participants over the past two years.
45% of internships held by Political Science students have been paid

Political Science student placements (SU ’22 – SU’24)

  • 42.4% National Government
  • 39.4% Nonprofit
  • 9.1% Research/Consulting
  • 3.1% Private Industry


Sample Political Science Internships:

  • Human Rights Campaign
  • Partnership for Public Service
  • General Dynamics
  • Invariant


Student Testimonial:

“WAIP is an opportunity to grow professionally, academically and personally. As a political science student, I wanted to learn how policy impacts people and gain internship experience in a governmentally active area.” – Chelsea A., Summer 2024

International Studies majors make up 10% of WAIP participants over the past two years.
73% of International Studies students in WAIP had paid internships.

International Studies student placements (SU ’22 – SU’24)

  • 31.3% Nonprofit
  • 18.8% Capitol Hill
  • 18.8% Private Company
  • 12.5% Government Affairs
  • 6.3% Consulting
  • 6.3% National Trade Organization
  • 6.3% Federal Agency


Past International Studies Internships:

  • Counterpart International
  • FGS Global
  • Committee on the Marine Transportation System

PPE Majors made up 4% of all WAIP students for the past two years.
71% of PPE students in WAIP had paid internships.

PPE internship placements (SU ’22 – SU’24)

  • 57.1% Nonprofit
  • 42.9% National Government


PPE Student Internships:

  • The American Legion
  • International Republican Institute
  • Office of Marcy Kaptur


Student Testimonial

“WAIP felt like the next step scholastically and professionally. It was too good of an opportunity for education and experience to not apply.”

EPDM majors made up 4% of all WAIP students in the last two years.
83% of EPDM majors in WAIP had paid internships.

EPDM internship placements (SU ’22 – SU’24)

  • 83.3% National Government
  • 16.7% Private Company


Past EPDM Internships:

  • Nucor Steel
  • Senate Committee on Forestry, Agriculture, and Nutrition
  • Office of Shontel Brown

Public Health Majors made up 2% of WAIP students over the past two years.
33% of Public Health Students in WAIP had paid internships.

Public Health student placements (SU ’22 – SU’24)

  • 66.7% Federal Agency
  • 33.3% Consulting


Past Public Health Internships:

  • U.S. Food and Drug Administration
  • Maverick Health Policy
  • U.S. Office of National Drug Control Policy


Student Testimonial:

“I was able to learn more about policy as most of my coursework focused on Public Health.”— Alex, Summer 2023

Learn about economic policy in the nation’s capital! 
100% of economics students in WAIP had paid internships.

Economics internship placements (SU ‘22 – SU ‘24)

  • 50% Private Company
  • 50% Research/Consulting


Past Economics Internships:

  • Alignment Government Strategies
  • Nucor Steel

Go from learning about history to making history!
50% of history students in WAIP had paid internships.

History internship placements (SU ‘22 – SU ‘24)

  • 50% National Government
  • 50% Nonprofits


Past History Internships:

  • Peace Corps
  • Arlington County Board Campaign

Questions? Contact