Welcome!
If you are ready to experience a dynamic city and want to apply your education outside the classroom, consider spending a quarter studying and interning in the nation's capital. The UC Davis Washington Program puts you in the middle of a dynamic metropolitan area, surrounded by history and alive with culture. Expand your horizons and build an impressive resume! With programs for undergraduates in all majors, for graduate students and for faculty members, the Washington Program has something for everyone!
Mission Statement
The University of California Davis Washington Program is an innovative teaching and research program established in 1990 to bring the unparalleled resources and educational environment of Washington, DC to the UC Davis community. The Program's mission is to enhance undergraduate education, support graduate and faculty research, increase UC Davis visibility in the nation's capital, and link Washington, DC alumni with our students and campus. Through a broad range of programs for undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty, and in fields as diverse as political science and art history, economics and biochemistry, the UC Davis Washington Program opens up the unique educational opportunities of the nation's capital.
A Brief History
July 1,1990
The UC Davis Washington Program begins operations. During Academic Year 1990-1991, undergraduate academic-internship programs are offered during Fall and Spring extended quarters only. UC Davis Professor of Political Science, Dr. Bruce W. Jentleson, was the founding Director of the UC Davis Washington Program.
1991-1992
A non-academic, internship only, program was added during the summer quarter.
1996-2001
Over 400 students participate in the program. Initiatives such as the Outstanding Research Award are put in place. A winter quarter program is added in January 2001 to accommodate growing student interest. Additional staff are hired to coordinate recruiting and placement efforts.
September 25, 2001
The UC Davis Washington Program marked the most significant transformation in its ten-year history on September 25, 2001. On that date, the Davis programs, along with the other campuses' academic programs and the UC Office of Federal Government Relations, took possession of the University's new facility-the UC Washington Center-at 1608 Rhode Island Avenue, NW, in Washington, DC. The new facility integrates the University's educational, research, and government relations capacities in the nation's capital.
2004-2006
As the program expands recruitment efforts to a wide variety of majors, 165 undergraduates -the most ever- enroll in the program during 2004-05. Each quarter students participate in an Undergraduate Research Conference held at the Center. Developed by Program Director and Associate Professor of Political Science, Dr. Emily Goldman, the Conference allows students to present their research efforts to practitioners in the field and receive feedback on their work.
To continue to improve an already outstanding experiential learning program for UC Davis students, the program took on several ambitious initiatives. We developed an online application, re-designed our website, produced an educational and promotional video to strengthen our recruitment process and re-invigorated our alumni networks and scholarship development. Should you like to see first hand how past students evaluate the Washington experience, please contact Joaquin Feliciano for a free copy of our program DVD.
A variety of professional events, such as Career Night, are held at the Center, allowing program participants to network with Program alumni and university leaders. The Center and UC Davis Washington Program continue to offer social and cultural activities in the area, exposing students to the vibrant life and rich opportunities of Washington, DC.
2005-06 Annual Report
You are invited to read an excerpt from our 2005-06 Annual Report. For the complete report, please email Senior Program Manager, Sara Lombardo.
We hope you join us!