<p>The DC Initiative internship program is in the summer only. DC is too far for an academic year internship unless you have a lot of $ to pay for commuting costs back and forth to Richmond a couple days/week and that is not for the faint of heart (although there are plenty of Richmonders who do it, and for years our office had a staff member who was commuting from DC to Richmond every day–he is now happily employed at GWU and we’re happy for him). I have never heard a student come back from a summer working in DC and say that it is dead except for the tourists. There is still plenty going on and interesting work to be done, fun social stuff to do etc. </p>
<p>There are academic year internships in the Virginia General Assembly which typically mean that a student would take two traditional courses and then spend two-three days/week downtown at the Capitol. These are not necessarily going to be paid internships, although some are and if you hustle you can find the paid ones. It is a very rare political science major who does NOT work at least one GA session during his/her four years. In that case, the internship would be considered a course, and then it would be included in your financial aid package. </p>
<p>Internship options are available in every major, including those that are self-designed, and many students complete more than one internship before they graduate.</p>