Course and Seminars

The UC Davis Washington Program offers a robust academic framework designed to put your professional internship into a scholastic context. Whether you are a prospective student mapping out your curriculum or a graduating senior finalizing your plans, this page is your resource for understanding course requirements and academic preparation.

Academic Year Courses (Fall, Winter, Spring)

During the academic year, students are automatically registered for 12 units. These units are incorporated into your university transcript and GPA calculation. You do NOT need to sign up for these through Schedule Builder; registration is handled automatically upon acceptance.

Mandatory Coursework

  • Internship - WAS 192 (8 units): Students work three to four days per week (24 to 32 hours). This course is Pass/No Pass Only.
  • Core Seminar - WAS 193 (4 units): This upper-division course is designed to put the internship into a scholastic framework. It is equivalent to POL 193W and is for a Letter Grade Only.

Note: If you wish to take UC Davis REMOTE campus courses simultaneously to graduate on time, please consult with a Washington Program Advisor.

Summer Program: Credit vs. Non-Credit Options

The Summer UCDC Program does not include core seminars. Students must choose between receiving academic credit or interning for no credit. In both options, students are required to intern for 32 to 40 hours per week.

Option 1: Credit Option

  • Students who wish to receive units must enroll in units through UC Davis during the Summer Special Session.
  • Tuition is charged on a per-unit basis and students have the option to choose between 4 and 8 units.
  • You must be enrolled in at least 6 units to be eligible for Summer Financial Aid.
  • See the Summer Sessions Fees and Aid page for current per unit costs for summer.

How to Enroll: On or after your pass time, log in to schedule builder. Select the Summer Special Session for the term and enter the CRN provided to your cohort for those who wish to enroll in summer units. Select the number of units you would like to take and submit your enrollment.

Option 2: Non-Credit Option

Students can choose to intern for no academic credit. While this means no tuition charges, students opting for this path are not eligible for financial aid.

Summer Support & Advising

All students accepted into the summer program receive comprehensive pre-departure support from the UC Davis Washington Program staff, including:

  • Resume and cover letter reviews and revisions.
  • Access to professional development workshops (Resume, Cover Letter, Internship Search, Interview Skills, and Professionalism).
  • Mock interviews upon request.
  • Peer and staff advising.
  • Access to the UCDC Symplicity internship opportunity database.

Important Notice Regarding Support Once in Washington D.C.:

Students must be prepared to navigate their summer internship experience independently once they arrive in D.C. without the support of a specially assigned internship advisor as assistance after departure is limited.

Graduation & Senior Year Planning

You can spend your final quarter or senior year in Washington, D.C., provided you plan carefully with your Dean’s Office.

Graduating Seniors

  • Spring Graduation: You may participate in commencement, but you should not file to graduate until after completing the program. If you have already filed, you must delay your filing to Summer or Fall.
  • Requirements: Your major and college requirements must be fulfilled before you leave or during your time in D.C.
  • Unit Caps: You must not exceed 225 units prior to departure. You may only return to campus if you remain under the 225-unit cap.

University Residency Requirements

The faculty have approved two exceptions to the standard residency requirement for program participants:

  1. Completion of Degree in D.C.: Students may satisfy the requirement by completing at least 35 of their final 45 units on the Davis campus immediately preceding entry into the Washington Program.
  2. Returning to Campus: Students may satisfy residency by completing 35 units on the Davis campus within their final 90 units, including at least 12 units after returning from the Washington Program. Under this option, a maximum of 55 units may be taken through UCEAP, UCDC, or UCCS.

Students who do not meet these criteria may petition their Dean's office for an exception.

Academic Resources & Links

For detailed course descriptions and articulations, please explore the central UCDC resources below: