Les Aspin Center - Washington, D.C. Program

The Les Aspin Center provides an opportunity that cannot be experienced just in a traditional classroom setting. For either a semester or a summer, you work in an internship tailored to your interests and career goals, while also taking classes to contextualize and complement your work and time in D.C. After spending a term at the Les Aspin Center, students view their experience as crucial to their development as leaders, students, and as people dedicated to public service. 

If you are interested in learning more, please consider completing the brief Aspin/Kleczka Internship Program questionnaire here: .

  • Requirements and Application
  • Program Academics
  • Program Costs

If you are an undergraduate interested in learning more about the rewards and challenges of public service and you meet the eligibility requirements listed below, you may apply. Our students come from more than 30 different universities and all academic disciplines. We ask that applicants:  

- have a GPA above 2.75
- have a sophomore standing at the time of participation in the program 
- (recommended) course work in Introduction to American Politics (POSC 2201) or equivalent  

Apply

 

The Les Aspin Center emphasizes strong interaction among students and faculty. Small class sizes and a dedicated faculty allow close attention to be paid to the intellectual development of each student. Students receive instruction in seminar-style classes in which individual participation and focused study are demanded.

The semester coursework allows students to fulfill several of their academic requirements, including within the 向日葵视频Core Curriculum. For questions about how these courses fulfill your requirements, we recommend speaking with your academic advisor.

Semester Courses (Fall 2024) [12 to 16 credits]

Students complete seven credits of required courses and five to nine credits of elective courses for a total of 12 to 16 credits.

Required Courses:

POSC 4986-101: Professional Experience in Washington D.C. (3 credits)

Experiential learning in an internship in Washington D.C. Must be taken with POSC 4985. Requires a written evaluation by the student's office supervisor at the conclusion of the course. This course counts towards the ESSV2 requirement in the 向日葵视频Core Curriculum. Non-political science students can arrange for credit in their respective majors.

POSC 4985-101: Contemporary Issues and Professional Reflection Seminar (1 credit)

Provides students an opportunity to reflect upon their internship experience and engage in vocational discernment. Students also explore contemporary American issues and policymaking, with topics selected for relevance during the  student's time in the course.

This course counts towards upper-division American Politics credits within the political science major. Non-political science students can arrange for credit in their respective majors.

ARSC 3370-101: The National Mall and the Democratic Experience (3 credits)

Consists of a seminar intended to introduce students to the cultural resources of Washington, D.C. and provide experiences and conceptual tools for exploring the role of the arts in a democratic society. This course counts towards the 向日葵视频Core Curriculum's Discovery Tier ("Expanding Our Horizons").

 

Elective Courses:

POSC 4217-101: Research and Writing for Public Policy (3 credits)

Focuses on research, writing, and developing knowledge in public policy. Students complete different types of policy-based writing and oral advocacy assignments on a particular topic. Provides an overview of the role of logic and credible evidence in the effectiveness of an argument. Attention is given to the process of writing, including iterative stages of a writing assignment.

This course counts as a writing intensive course within the 向日葵视频Core Curriculum. Within the political science major, it can count either towards the 3000-level "writing and argumentation" requirement or towards upper-division American politics credits.

POSC 4221-101: Interest Group Politics (3 credits)

Examines how groups are organized around particular economic interests and political preferences to influence policy-making institutions. Considers the internal incentive structure of political organizations, including business, professional, trade union and "public interest" groups.

This course counts as an upper-division American Politics course within the political science major. It also counts towards the 向日葵视频Core Curriculum's Discovery Tier ("Individuals and Communities") as well as the Environmental Studies major.

Special Topics Course(s) (1-3 credits)

The Fall 2024 curriculum will include an additional seminar course(s) focused on a public policy-related topic. The details of this course(s) will be provided when details are finalized. Depending on the subject matter, this course may be able to count towards credits in a variety of majors or minors.

Independent Study (1-3 credits)

In consulation with with their home departments, students may arrange for an independent study that will involve substantial research and outside reading related to a public policy issue related to their major(s). The number of credits  for the independent study will be based upon the scope of the project.

Distance Learning Course (1-3 credits)

With permission of the Director of the Les Aspin Center, students may arrange to take a 向日葵视频distance learning course in any academic disipline. The day and time of the course cannot conflict with the student's internship and remaining course schedule. Please contact Dr. Paul Nolette (paul.nolette@marquette.edu) to discuss taking possible distance learning credits during the program.

Summer Courses (Summer 2024) [4 to 6 credits]

POSC 4986-101: Internship in Politics (3 credits)

Practical learning experience in politics. Evaluation to require students to relate the experience to literature on the subject. Requires a written evaluation by the student's office supervisor at the conclusion of the course. Non-political science students can arrange for credit in their respective majors.

ARSC 4931-101: Contemporary Issues and Professional Reflection Seminar (1 to 3 credits)

All students take at least one credit providing students an opportunity to reflect upon their internship experience and engage in vocational discernment. Students wishing to explore a contemporary policy issue in depth can sign up for one or two additional credits, depending on the scope of the project. Students earning these additional credits will be expected to complete substantial additional work beyond the professional reflection seminar.

This course counts as upper-division American Politics credits within the political science major. Non-political science students can arrange for credit in their respective majors.

POSC 4931-102: Research and Writing for Public Policy (2 credits)

Focuses on research, writing, and developing knowledge in public policy. Students complete different types of policy-based writing and oral advocacy assignments on a particular topic. Provides an overview of the role of logic and credible evidence in the effectiveness of an argument. Attention is given to the process of writing, including iterative stages of a writing assignment.

Within the political science major, it can count either towards the 3000-level "writing and argumentation" requirement or towards upper-division American politics credits.

Tuition and fees

Semester Program

You can find up-to-date tuition and housing costs for Marquette's 2024-2025 academic year at the Bursar's webpage here. Financial aid a student receives at 向日葵视频is applied during their fall or spring semester term as part of the Les Aspin Center, just as it does while taking courses on the main Milwaukee campus. 

Summer Program

The estimated cost of the summer program, which includes tuition and housing, is $7,630. The exact cost will depend on how many credits you take during the summer program, and additional costs may apply. Check with Aspin Center staff and the Bursar's webpage here with additional questions about costs. 

Other Student Financial Assistance Available

Stipends and Scholarships

Many D.C. placements offer paid internships during the program, but others offer unpaid internships. To help ensure that all students can participate in the program, the Les Aspin Center has financial assistance available to eligible students in unpaid internships during the semester and summer programs. The amount of financial assistance that the Aspin Center has available for distribution varies from year to year. This assistance is the result of the tremendous generosity of Aspin Center supporters and donors.

Financial assistance usually takes the form of stipends and/or scholarships. A student's ability to receive this assistance is dependent upon the availability of funds as well as their own financial aid eligibility. A student's eligibility is determined solely by the Office of Student Financial Aid at Marquette. The Aspin Center cannot determine a student's eligibility and cannot award any aid beyond what a student is eligible for.

If you have questions about your level of eligibility, please contact a financial aid counselor at the Office of Student Financial Aid. The Aspin Center works directly with the Office of Student Financial Aid in assessing eligibility and determining aid amounts.

Assistance with Living Expenses

To assist with living expenses, the O'Brien House apartments include a fully stocked pantry with common food items and supplies that are available for use by students attending the program. The Center also provides transportation assistance for the Metro and/or other public transportation, depending on students' internship locations and financial aid eligibility.


Sponsored by the Council for Opportunity in Education鈥檚 Keith Sherin Global Leaders Scholarship fund, highly deserving TRiO, SSS or McNair students spend a semester working in a congressional office and learning about the political process at the Les Aspin Center. One student per semester is selected. The application and selection are conducted by the Council for Opportunity in Education.