About the washington internship institute (WII)
Our Mission
The mission of the Washington Internship Institute is to foster students' intellectual, personal, and professional development through individually tailored, quality internships and challenging academic coursework that take full advantage of the opportunities available in the nation's capital and reflect the best practices of experiential learning and liberal education.
About Us
The Washington Internship Institute (WII) helps students turn college learning into meaningful professional experience through a semester in Washington, DC. Combining a professional internship, academic coursework, career development, and the experience of living and learning in one of the world’s most influential cities, WII prepares students to graduate with the skills, confidence, experience, and connections as they enter the job market.
WII’s personalized approach sets the program apart. Dedicated staff get to know each student and their goals, provide individualized support during the internship search process, and support students throughout their DC experience. Students gain more than a line on their resume: they clarify career goals, build professional networks, develop workplace skills, and experience DC as students, professionals, and residents.
For colleges and universities, WII is a trusted partner in career readiness and experiential learning. The program provides a high-quality, affordable way to expand opportunities for students without requiring institutions to build and manage their own DC infrastructure. Faculty and staff can confidently refer students knowing they will receive individualized attention and support, while institutional leaders gain a partner committed to helping students translate their education into career-ready experience and meaningful outcomes. See our current list of partner institutions.
WII is overseen by the New American Colleges & Universities (NACU), a national consortium of private comprehensive colleges and universities committed to preparing students for meaningful careers and lives. Connecting academic learning with professional experience in Washington, DC, allows NACU to expand opportunities for career preparation directly to students, both within and beyond the NACU network.
For more information, visit NACU.
Beginning in January 2027, WII will make its home alongside the Lutheran College Washington Semester (LCWS) in the Rosslyn neighborhood of Arlington, Virginia, just across the Potomac River from Washington, DC. WII students will live, learn, and connect with WII staff in one location while continuing to participate in WII’s distinctive internship experience, academic curriculum, and programming. Just one Metro stop from DC and served by the Blue, Orange, and Silver lines, Rosslyn provides convenient access to internship sites throughout the region. While WII and LCWS will remain independent programs, the partnership will also create opportunities over time for shared courses and programming, giving WII students access to an even broader community of peers during their semester in Washington.
