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: Aspin/Kleczka Internship Program Interest Survey.

  • 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 Marquette Core Curriculum. For questions about how these courses fulfill your requirements, we recommend speaking with your academic advisor.

Semester Courses (Spring 2024) [12 to 15 credits]

All students take POSC 4931, POSC 4986, and ARSC 3370.

Students choose to take one or both of POSC 3101 and POSC 4221.

 

POSC 3101: 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 Marquette 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: 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 Marquette Core Curriculum's Discovery Tier ("Individuals and Communities") as well as the Environmental Studies major.

POSC 4931: Contemporary Issues in American Politics (3 credits)

Considers contemporary political and policy issues in American politics, with topics varying by semester. The course also provides students an opportunity to reflect upon their internship experience and engage in vocational discernment. Students examine social and political issues and consider how they can contribute to creating social systems and public policies that contribute to human flourishing and the common good. 

This course counts as an upper-division American Politics course within the political science major.

POSC 4986: 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 3370 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 Marquette Core Curriculum's Discovery Tier ("Expanding Our Horizons").

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

POSC 4986: 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.

POSC 4995: Independent Study 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.

Tuition and fees

Semester Program

The estimated cost of the program for the 2023-2024 academic year is $28,120, which includes tuition and housing. Financial aid a student receives at Marquette is applied during their semester term as part of the Les Aspin Center, just as it would taking courses on the main Milwaukee campus. 

Summer Program

The estimated cost of the summer program, which includes tuition and housing, is $7,630.

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.

Council for Opportunity in Education’s Keith Sherin Global Leaders Scholarship
Sponsored by the Council for Opportunity in Education’s 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.