Duke in DC

Live, study and work in the nation's capital.

Duke in DC

The Duke in DC program offers a unique and exciting opportunity to live, study, and work in the nation’s capital.

Insight

Experience up close how public policy shapes society. Whether your future is as a lawyer, a social entrepreneur, a teacher, a high-tech innovator or an engaged citizen, public policy matters to you. This program helps you understand how.

Spring in DC

The program is offered in the spring semester and it has a pre-professional tilt, connecting classroom study to experiential learning oriented around policy innovation and public leadership. Participants meet in weekly seminars with Duke faculty members. Assignments are tailored to the student's policy interests.

Connections

A 24-hour/week internship connects student learning to practice.

Transformative

"The Duke in DC program was transformative for me both personally and professionally. Through my internship and networking opportunities, I was able to explore my interest in criminal justice work. But most importantly, I was able to meet a group of uniquely talented and amazing people who I can now call some of my closest friends." – Vineet Chovatia PPS’25

Vineet interned in the Public Defender Service's Special Litigation Division, and has returned to Washington to intern for Senator Cory Booker.

Leadership and Policy

Duke in DC gave me the incredible opportunity to intern in the House of Representatives for my local congressman, allowing me to build meaningful professional relationships and skills. Learning about leadership and policy in the classroom while experiencing them firsthand on Capitol Hill made the program an invaluable step in my professional and personal growth. Duke in DC was an unforgettable experience that helped me grow professionally and solidified my passion for public service and law. – Khenya Robinson PPS/Sociology'28

Clearer Aspirations

"Duke in DC was an incredibly valuable experience for me. The immersive aspects of Duke in DC — living in Washington, DC, working part-time on policy issues, and learning from policy scholars and professionals — made for a rewarding and enriching semester. Duke in DC gave me an opportunity to apply the concepts and skills learned in Durham to real policy issues being discussed and debated at the federal level. The program broadened my perspective on the scope of public policy and helped me better understand my policy interests. I now have a clearer sense of my professional aspirations and where I want to grow through my public policy coursework." - Ryan Kilgallen PPS/Economics'27

About the Faculty

Kristin Goss

Professor Kristin Goss directs the "Duke in DC" program, which provides select undergraduates with an immersive experience combining work experience and policy-oriented seminars. Goss's scholarly work focuses on why people do (or don't) participate in political life and how their engagement affects public policymaking.

Professor Goss is joined by a group of expert adjunct faculty who bring a wealth of professional experience working on diverse policy topics with organizations around Washington, DC. The Duke in DC adjunct faculty teach half of the program’s four courses. Professor Goss, the adjunct faculty team, and the Duke staff provide students with a built-in network of professionals that help students benefit as much as possible from their time in DC.

Common FAQs About the Duke in DC Experience

Who can take part in the Duke in DC program?

Students that take part in the program are typically sophomores or juniors, but seniors have also participated in the program during their final semester. The program is open to all majors, but students should have a clear interest in the Duke in DC course topics as well as plan to pursue relevant internships in Washington, DC. If you are unsure if the program is for you, please reach out to the faculty director Kristin Goss or program manager Matt Bunyi.

How much does program participation cost?

Program cost is managed by Duke’s Global Education Office (GEO) and updated on an annual basis. You can learn more about the latest program cost estimate here.

What is the overall structure of the Duke in DC program?

Students in the Duke in DC program take four full-credit courses and simultaneously complete a 24-hour/week internship. The program’s overall academic workload is designed to account for student internship schedules. The combined coursework and internships is a rigorous opportunity for students to gain significant academic and professional experience while in Washington, DC.

In addition to the coursework, students take part in various social activities like attending major sporting events, theater performances, dance shows, and other social outings. During free time, students explore the city’s museums, historical sites, and other tourist attractions.

Where have past students interned while in the program?

Past internships have included a variety of organizations in the field of public policy. Common internships have included congressional offices, lobbying and advocacy firms, state and federal government agencies, thinktanks, law firms, multilateral organizations, among many others. Students often apply to internships that relate to their specific policy interests or jobs that they would like to learn more about.

Where do students live during the Duke in DC program?

Duke in DC students stay in high-quality, apartment-style housing in downtown Washington, DC. Students typically share a bedroom and bathroom with one other student and have access to a kitchen, dining area, and adequate space for studying. Apartments are located conveniently to public transit, grocery stores, and other important amenities. Visit the GEO application portal for more information on the coming year’s housing option.

Learn more about the Program

More information on the program is available on the Duke Global Education Office’s official application portal. If you have questions about the program and/or would like more information, please contact the program manager - Matt Bunyi.

Apply to Duke in DC

Sample Duke in DC Experiences

Students in museum, man gesturing, large painting behind them

The Duke in DC cohort has numerous opportunities to explore the city as a group.

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3 students smiling under National Portrait Gallery Sign

Students visiting the National Portrait Gallery.

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Students often gather to cheer on Duke athletics as a group.

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Students outside theater with sign for Alvin Ailey.

Many students choose to attend cultural activities, like this trip to see the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater on stage.

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The cohort is based at Duke in DC, on Pennsylvania Avenue.

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