DC Internship Program
Texas A&M University recognizes internships as an integral part of its curriculum, enabling students to participate in structured, supervised learning experiences off-campus. The Public Policy Internship Program (PPIP) strives to provide out-of-classroom opportunities that help students build on and enhance previous coursework. Integrating an off-campus, work-learning experience with related curriculum choices reinforces learning on campus.
PPIP is an academic, service-designated course to help students obtain policy-related internships in Washington, D.C., and Austin, Texas. Students may engage in internships in a variety of settings that match their academic goals.
Students are expected to work full-time at their internship placement within our program. During their internship, students learn new skills unique to their field, gain valuable inside knowledge about their professional future, and meet the people who will someday become their co-workers and professional network.
Apply to PPIP DC
Application items received after the deadline will not be accepted or reviewed.Spring 2027 Applications Due Monday, March 16, 2026, by 5pm!
Working in Washington, D.C.
As a PPIP intern, you can count on acquiring a set of transferable skills in the dynamic work environment of national policymaking. Interning in our nation's capital is sure to be an exciting semester that will change your life, focus your career goals, and build your professional network.
You will gain an understanding of how policy affects absolutely everything, which can be a benefit in your future career. Every day in Washington, D.C. is a learning experience and a chance to help shape the direction of our country. From day to day, week to week, your role can fluctuate with the changing demands of office staff and legislative objectives. But no matter what office you’re in, you are bound to have a work experience unlike any you have had before!
Over the years, student interest has driven the Public Policy Internship Program (PPIP) to form connections with a wide range of hosting offices in the world of policy. Because PPIP interns are placed in a variety of internships, there is no single description that defines the daily work of an intern. Below is a list of recent hosting office placements, along with some of the tasks interns may be responsible for.
Below are examples of offices that have hosted PPIP interns in the past. Because opportunities evolve each semester, this list is designed to showcase the range of experiences students can pursue through PPIP—not an exhaustive list of placements.
Once accepted, you’ll work closely with the PPIP team to identify and pursue internships that align with your interests, career goals, and academic focus.
Don’t see an opportunity that immediately stands out? No problem. PPIP is built around your interests. Connect with our team to explore possibilities and discover how the program can help you shape a meaningful internship experience.
- Air Force Public Affairs
- Association for Diplomatic Studies & Training
- Bose Public Affairs Group
- Democratic National Committee
- Embassy of Mexico
- Environmental Protection Agency
- Heritage Foundation
- House Committee on Science, Space, & Technology
- House Judiciary Committee
- International Justice Mission
- National Down Syndrome Society
- National Hispanic Health Foundation
- Senator John Cornyn
- Senator Ted Cruz
- Texas A&M University System Federal Relations Office
- The Fertilizer Institute
- The National War College
- The Young Women's Project
- Todd Strategy Group
- Twenty-First Century Group
- U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia
- U.S. Department of Commerce
- U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
- U.S. Department of the Interior
- U.S. Department of Transportation
- U.S. House of Representatives - Texas Members
- White House
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Receive and reply to public inquiries.
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Interact with and serve office visitors.
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Compile and distribute important office documents/briefings.
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Work with individual staff members on projects.
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Track and respond to constituent phone calls, emails, and office visits.
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Assist in editing correspondence and press releases.
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Draft and send issue letters to constituents.
- Attend hearings and briefings.
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Track and assist with current legislation.
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Draft policy briefs and issue memos for office staff.
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Sit in on meetings with special interest groups, constituents, and legislators.
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Research public policy issues.
- Provide Capitol tours to guests and constituents.
- Complete other basic administrative duties.
I absolutely loved the fast-paced climate of D.C.! From attending hearings to helping constituents in the office, this internship offered me such a unique experience to learn about the federal government. For any student considering D.C., I would tell them that this would be a one-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be able to first-hand witness the intricate legislative process at our nation’s capital.
Eligibility
As a premier professional internship experience, the Public Policy Internship Program (PPIP) establishes high standards for our interns. Please review the eligibility requirements for our Washington, D.C. program below.
Note: U.S. Citizenship is required for all PPIP locations, due to the requirements of our hosting offices. If you are not a U.S. Citizen but would like to explore opportunities similar to what PPIP offers, please email program staff at ppip@ag.tamu.edu for a list of options you may be eligible for.
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The student must be a United States citizen and at least 18-years-old; permanent residents are not eligible for this program.
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The student must be classified as a degree-seeking undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral student at Texas A&M University, including the College Station, Galveston, McAllen, Law School, Washington, D.C., and Health Science Center campuses.
Students enrolled at any university within the Texas A&M University System are eligible for the Public Policy Scholars Program (PPSP).
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The student must have a cumulative collegiate GPR of 3.0. First-semester freshmen are not eligible to apply.
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The student must be in good standing with Texas A&M University, pursuant to the university's Academic and Student Life rules.
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The student must obtain valid health insurance for the duration of the internship.
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The student must be able to attend all pre-departure events held in person in College Station.
Graduating seniors are allowed to participate in the Washington, D.C. program during the long semester after they graduate. For example, December graduates can participate the following spring, August graduates can participate the following fall, and May graduates can participate the following summer or fall. Affected students will be classified as U5 "postbaccalaureate undergraduate" during the internship semester. Graduate and/or professional students cannot intern with PPIP after graduation.
The office environment was so welcoming and friendly. I got to go to cool events, meet cool people, and be a part of interesting projects. I'm convinced this is peak office culture. In addition, D.C. is a city worth exploring over time. It is amazing to learn about it and become more familiar with the history you learned as a kid. The other interns were amazing and have become good friends.
Application & Placement Process
A completed Public Policy Internship Program, Washington, D.C., application must include the following:
- Completed PPIP D.C. application (typed)
- Professional cover letter
- Professional resume
- Policy essay
- Official college transcript
- 1-3 Letters of recommendation
Candidates will be assigned a 15-minute interview slot with a panel of university faculty, staff, and program supporters. After interviews are complete, the panel will then select who will advance to the next step in the process.
If selected, participants will work closely with program staff in securing an internship for the semester. The program cannot guarantee selection into the internship of your choice as this is entirely up to the hosting organization. Keep in mind that certain organizations (CIA, State Department, etc.) have their own application process and deadlines that you will have to navigate on your own before applying to this program.
Pack your bags; you are going on an adventure to our nation's capital!
Things to Consider
Keep an activity log of leadership positions, community service, awards, employment and both college and non-college related activities. Include the time commitment and duration of involvement in each activity. Undergraduates are limited to one page and graduate students to two. Do not include high-school information. (Eagle Scout or Gold Awards may be included).
Program staff highly recommends utilizing the Career Center on campus for assistance with your professional resume and cover letter.
All applicants are required to provide a writing sample in the form of an essay that addresses a policy issue of their choosing. Work to include multiple references for a stronger argument. While the policy should be something you are passionate about or interested in, you must be sure to address the prompt listed on the application as it may vary between semesters and locations.
Program staff recommends visiting or scheduling an appointment with the University Writing Center for assistance with your policy essay.
Submit your application as early as possible to ensure your application is received by the deadline. Turn in your application via email to the Policy Internship Programs Office (ppip@ag.tamu.edu). Once you have submitted your completed application you will be contacted with additional instructions.
Many of your documents ought to be submitted together when turning in your application; however, at times, your letters of recommendation and transcript(s) may be turned in at different times.
For documents that must be sent via postal mail, please use the addresses listed below:
Public Policy Internship Program
600 John Kimbrough Blvd, Suite 515
2402 TAMU
College Station, TX 77843
*The office of Policy Internship Programs is closed on Saturday and Sunday. Please be aware we also close on University Holidays as listed on the Academic Calendar.
Logistics to Consider
Before applying to the Public Policy Internship Program's Washington, D.C. location, please review and take the information below into consideration. If you have any further questions or concerns, contact the program staff at ppip@ag.tamu.edu.
The table below provides estimated costs for students to consider during their internship semester in Washington, D.C. Students should be advised that these are approximate and that costs may vary depending on each intern’s individual experiences.
Tuition is calculated based on the number of credit hours a student is enrolled in. Students are strongly encouraged to contact their academic advisor to discuss enrolled credits during the internship semester. Students may utilize the Tuition Calculator to estimate tuition costs.
Students are encouraged to visit Texas A&M's Money Management page for tips on budgeting for their internship semester.
| Housing & Utilities | $350 one-time housing fee |
| Tuition & Fees | $75 co-op fee + tuition, if applicable |
| Flight | $400-800 round trip |
| Groceries | $60 weekly |
| Local Transportation* | $30+ weekly |
| Recreation | $50 weekly |
| Required Health Insurance | Varies |
*This cost depends on the distance traveled and the travel time of each Metro ride. For more information on DC Metro fares and options, please visit their website here.
Spring Semester
15 Weeks: mid-January - early-May
Summer Semester
10 Weeks: late-May - early-August
Fall Semester
15 Weeks: mid-August - early-December
Stay on track for graduation! Prospective PPIP interns are strongly encouraged to meet with their academic advisor to discuss how participating in PPIP could impact their degree plan prior to submitting a PPIP application. Please talk to your academic advisor about receiving course credit while interning with the Public Policy Internship Program.
PPIP interns are required to enroll in UGST 492: Co-op in Public Policy during the internship semester and complete the course assignments via Canvas. UGST 492 is a university-approved co-op that allows for variable credit (0-6 hours). Students should consult their academic departments to determine the appropriate number of credit hours for their individual degree plans.
Undergraduates participating in the Washington, D.C. program after graduation are required to enroll in UGST 492 but may do so for zero (0) hours during the internship semester.
UGST 492 is a graded course that will impact a student's GPR and transcript, even if enrolled for zero (0) credit hours. Enrollment in UGST 492 will classify the student as full-time with the Registrar's office as long as they enroll for at least one (1) credit hour. Please note that this is not the same as being considered full-time for financial aid purposes.
In addition to the UGST 492 course, some PPIP interns may earn additional hours that count towards graduation by enrolling in online coursework during the internship semester. However, because PPIP interns work full-time (40+ hours per week), the PPIP staff does not recommend enrolling in more than six (6) credit hours.
Financial aid eligibility varies among students. It is ultimately the responsibility of each prospective intern to meet with an advisor from the Aggie One Stop to discuss how participation in the Public Policy Internship Program will affect the student's financial aid eligibility.
Please note that while PPIP interns enrolled in the program’s UGST course for at least one (1) credit hour are classified as full-time with the Registrar's Office, this does not mean that they are considered full-time for scholarship and financial aid purposes.
Housing and basic utilities are provided for PPIP interns participating in the Washington, D.C. program. However, all D.C. interns are responsible for providing a housing fee of $350 prior to the start of the internship. All students interning in Washington, D.C. through the Policy Internship Programs Office live in fully furnished apartments just a short 20-25 minute subway ride to Capitol Hill! Interns are housed in 3-bedroom apartments, typically 2 students per bedroom. Each apartment is a massive 1,700 square feet with a balcony. We've briefly included information about our intern housing operation below.
Intern Housing Components
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Fully Furnished 3-Bedroom Apartments
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Kitchen Utensils plus Pots and Pans
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Kitchen Appliances
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Apartment Operated Front Desk/Concierge Service
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Laundry Facilities (in-unit)
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Apartment Patio or Balcony
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24-Hour Fitness Center
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Accessible Walking/Running Trails
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Walkable to Grocery Stores/The Metro (Subway System)
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Garage Parking (limited)
Preparing to Live in D.C.
Do not stress about housing during your internship. This is what makes the program unique compared to other internship programs at other institutions. Once accepted into our Washington, D.C. program, students will attend a meeting to discuss housing expectations, policies, and roommate assignments. Program staff will also discuss more details about what to bring, what not to bring, our modest housing fee, and other aspects to prepare you for city living for the semester!
Starting a new job, moving to a new city, and learning the ropes can be daunting, but the Public Policy Internship Program helps its interns navigate the road to success!
Students accepted into PPIP must attend all required training sessions and pre-departure events, held in College Station or over Zoom. There are typically 5-6 required weeknight events, held about once per month leading up to departure, covering a variety of topics to prepare students for a policy internship. Each PPIP intern will also have an individual meeting with program staff to discuss internship placement options and application feedback. Additionally, PPIP hosts an optional intern social, which allows interns to network and socialize in an informal setting.
All PPIP interns are required to possess valid health insurance for the duration of the internship semester. Students will be responsible for providing a current copy of their health insurance card to program staff prior to leaving for their internship.
Students may use their current health insurance plan or may purchase insurance through Texas A&M University's University Health Services (UHS). Please visit the UHS website for details and eligibility.
Graduating seniors* are eligible to intern with PPIP during the long semester after graduation in our Washington, D.C. location! For example, August graduates may intern the following fall semester, December graduates may intern the following spring semester, and May graduates may intern either the following summer or fall semester.
Affected students will be flagged as "U5-continuing" (post-baccalaureate undergraduate) through the registrar's office by program staff in conjunction with the registrar's office, which allows the student to participate in PPIP. The U5 classification does not impact the student's graduation, therefore students may still walk and receive their diplomas!
Students participating in PPIP after graduation must still adhere to all Texas A&M University student rules, as well as PPIP rules and expectations. This includes enrollment and full participation in the grade-bearing, university-approved co-op course: UGST 492.
*Interning with PPIP after graduation is not an option for graduate students.
Interning with PPIP is valuable regardless of the time of year; however, students are strongly encouraged to think about applying for the fall or spring semester if they are considering D.C. Here are some reasons why:
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Longer internships – Interning during a long semester gives you more time to learn and grow your professional network. Imagine what you could accomplish during a 15-week program, rather than a 10-week program!
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Sidestep the summer intern rush – D.C. becomes intern central during the summer. Often offices are hosting multiple interns, which means that work and experiences may be spread thin. Interning during the fall or spring gives you a better opportunity to take on important office tasks.
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Aggie game-watching events with the D.C. Aggie Club – The D.C. Aggies are the largest Aggie Club outside of Aggieland. What better way is there to grow your Aggie network than meeting former students while watching Aggie football, basketball, or baseball?
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Congress is in session more often – Congress is out of session for a good chunk of the summer but convenes much more often during the fall and spring. This means that the workload for offices both on and off the Hill increases, resulting in a higher demand for interns.
It is possible to take time away from campus for an internship during the fall or spring; it just takes a bit of advanced planning. Be sure to meet with your academic advisor to discuss options!
It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience to get to live in Washington, D.C., and intern at the International Trade Administration! I think the highlight of my internship experience was definitely living with people I became really good friends with and exploring D.C. with them!