Spring Term in D.C.

Washington D.C. Program Spring 2015


Considering the D.C. program? Every year GSPIA offers students the opportunity to spend the Fall semester in D.C.- students get first-hand experience AND their foot-in-the-door in Washington. This is invaluable experience that should be extended to more students. For such reason, GSPIA is now offering a Spring term in D.C.

What is this NEW Law and Policy Program taking place in Spring 2015? The rumors are true- there is now a D.C. program available in the Spring. This program will be administered jointly with the Pitt Law School and the Washington Center. The LPDC is designed for students who are interested in working at the intersection of law and policy with a focus on advocacy and the lobbying process.
Participating GSPIA and Law students will enroll in courses that take advantage of the location by having a GSPIA alum, Ali Bonebrake and Pitt law professor Elena Baylis, as instructors. Students will engage in internships providing hands-on DC experience.  Course requirements will be oriented toward building skills desired by employers in this field.  Our expectation is that students planning to launch their careers in Washington will find this spring term program especially attractive as a means of making a smooth transition to life in the capital.

Skills? Crucial communication skills needed to work in Washington- learning how to be succinct and to the point when speaking with high-level officials.

Worried about money? Dean Keeler will provide $1000 funding to participating students.

Why should I participate? Second years interested in working in Washington will easily be able to work through the summer, make more connections, and possibly find a job. First years will gain insight on what it takes to work in Washington.

Did we mention...? There's a practicum that complements the internship and gives students 3-credits. Essentially, yes, you are getting credit for your internship. (We all know that internships are normally ZERO credits.)

It's the first time it's offered? Correct! This means that participating students will be, as Dean Keeler stated, "the pioneers of the Law and Policy Program" that will one day look back and remember that they were the first group to have ever been a part of it. This could be you...

                             Meet the instructors

Alison Bonebrake  

  

Director, Federal Government Affairs at Sanofi

Washington, District Of Columbia (Washington D.C. Metro Area)
Pharmaceuticals

 Click here to view her LinkedIn account

Elena Baylis

 Associate Professor at University of Pittsburgh Law School, Washington Center

Washington, District Of Columbia (Washington D.C. Metro Area) 
Higher Education

 Click here to view her LinkedIn account



                                            Course Descriptions

Lobbying and Advocacy

In this course, students will learn core knowledge and skills required for lobbying and advocacy work. Students will meet with guest speakers and mentors who are lobbyists, will practice lobbying skills through exercises and assignments, and will produce policy writing samples. This course will focus primarily on lobbying in the federal legislative context; it will also address the federal agency context to a lesser extent.

Law-Making Seminar

This seminar explores the processes of federal law-making and public policy development. A primary purpose of the seminar is to enrich students’ understanding of law-making and policy development by focusing on a series of case studies concerning particular laws and policies and introducing information about the relevant political dynamics, bureaucratic systems, and other real-world factors. Thus, in addition to studying written materials, students will talk with Washington-based attorneys and others who are experts in the relevant fields.

                                                     Location 

The Washington Center - 2025 M Street NW

GSPIA’s office in the new University of Pittsburgh Washington Center is located in the “Golden Triangle” just a short walk from Dupont Circle. The Washington Center features state-of-the-art videoconferencing capabilities that connect our D.C.-based staff, adjunct faculty, and alumni with all of us at the GSPIA office complex in Pittsburgh. 

                                           Application information

Applications are due October 15th! 

About 5 students will be in D.C. this Spring! Get your applications in today!

Don't have one? Contact Career Services

Best of luck!