Engaged citizens of the world
The Lutheran College Washington Semester (LCWS) encourages students to become active and engaged citizens of the world. Through professional engagement in a competitive internship placement, academic inquiry in challenging weekly classes, and whole-hearted participation in the day-to-day life of Washington, D.C., students gain a new perspective on what it means to be an active member of society in a culturally diverse world. Students of the program leave Washington, D.C., with a newfound confidence in who they are and a better sense of their purpose in life.
Internships
While D.C. is best known for being the center of the federal government, LCWS works with students of all majors to identify internship opportunities that align with their unique interests and provide real-world experience to further their academic and career goals. During the fall and spring semesters, students intern four full days per week - Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. The near full-time internship is the highlight of the LCWS program and provides students with immersive, real-world professional experience.
The internship placement process is highly customized, from beginning to end. From the moment students are accepted into the program, they receive tailored career development support.
LCWS helps students define their interests and career goals based on their unique academic background and skills. With this information, LCWS works to identify internship opportunities that align with those interests and goals. Students then choose the internships they want to pursue, and begin working on their applications with personalized guidance from experienced staff members. LCWS provides comprehensive application management and support, including resume review, cover letter preparation, and interview training.
The endless opportunities...
Important Notes About Securing an Internship
While LCWS can help you apply to many internships, there are some high-profile internships (ex. White House, State Department) that have very specific internship application procedures and early application deadlines. If you are interested in these types of internships, it is your responsibility to monitor the application processes and deadlines.
Do not be alarmed by a late internship confirmation. Many internship locations will not confirm placements until shortly before, or shortly after, your arrival in Washington, D.C.
Curious about the possibilities? Contact us for more information!
DC Experience
DC by Foot has been featured in top press like the New York Times and The Washington Post.
To ensure that students are taking advantage of all that D.C. has to offer, LCWS organizes field trips, lectures, and seminars at various sites throughout the D.C. area every Friday of the semester. These events are designed to expose students to the many aspects of life that together make Washington, D.C., one of the most vibrant cities in the world. As such, field trips engage students in D.C. culture, arts, politics, social justice, science and technology, communication, leadership, history, and community engagement. Each Friday event is tailored to the LCWS program, providing students with access to unique, value-added programs throughout the D.C. area.
We are proud to partner with DC by Foot for educational tours that bring the history and culture of Washington, D.C. to life. Students hear from experts in history and culture as they explore neighborhoods, landmarks, and more.
Field trips and events vary from semester to semester, based on the availability of guest speakers, programs, and venues. Past semester field trips have included:
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U.S. Capitol Tour & U.S. Supreme Court Tour
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Holocaust Survivor Speaker at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum
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White House Tour
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U Street Tour & Lunch at Ben's Chili Bowl
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Conversation with a Civil Rights Legend & Tour of the National Museum of African American History and Culture
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Presentation at the Eisenhower Institute
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Embassy Row Walking Tour
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Theater Performance at the Kennedy Center
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Completion Ceremony at Mount Vernon
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And more!
Course Offerings
Students take two courses in addition to the internship. Classes are held in the LCWS office in the evenings. Each class meets once per week.
The semesters each class is offered is for the 2024-25 academic year. Learn about the faculty teaching the courses.