Philadelphia Experience

Ursinus is located just 25 miles from one of America’s greatest academic, historic, business and cultural centers. Philadelphia is the first World Heritage City named in the United States and has a reputation as a thriving destination for students and young professionals. Some students choose Ursinus for its bucolic and small-town setting, but many also ultimately find internships or professional careers in the city. The Philadelphia Experience aims to couple our liberal arts excellence with the resources and opportunities of Philadelphia, offering Ursinus students the opportunity to live, study, and work in this amazing World Heritage City. 

Students in the program work with affiliated Philadelphia Experience faculty and staff and their academic adviser to create an individual schedule that include courses taught in Philadelphia by Ursinus faculty members, civic engagement, a four- or eight-credit internship, independent study, and/or one or more courses at an approved Philadelphia partner institution. Ursinus aid does travel if the student’s schedule includes twelve or more Ursinus credits. Students are chosen from a pool of applicants. Interested students should contact affiliated Philadelphia Experience faculty and staff. Interested students should contact the program director in the Dean’s Office. View course offerings in Interdivisional Studies.

Washington Internship Initiative

Ursinus enjoys an affiliation with the Washington Internship Institute (WII), an organization that provides intensive internship experiences and academic coursework within a thematic liberal arts framework. All participants select one of several areas of concentration, including Environmental and Sustainability Policy Studies, Global Health Policy Studies, Global Women’s Leadership Development, Inside Washington: Politics and Policy, and International and Foreign Policy Studies. This program gives qualified students the opportunity to work with people and resources in the nation’s capital so as to understand better the dynamics of American politics and policymaking. 

Under the direction of WII faculty and staff, students participate in seminars with governmental officials, lobbyists, and media representatives; they secure an internship within a governmental office or non-governmental organization, political parties, interest groups, research organizations, or the media; and they complete a major research project on a current issue or policy problem. Candidates must apply to the College in order to be nominated to WII. Semester participants pay Ursinus tuition, room and fees (but not board) and their Ursinus financial aid travels. Summer participants pay tuition, room and fees directly to WII and pay for their own meals, but Ursinus aid does not travel. Interested students should contact Sharon Hansen (Career and Professional Development). View course offerings in Interdivisional Studies.

Howard Semester Program

This program allows Ursinus students to attend Howard University in Washington, D.C., under an exchange agreement between the two institutions. Students wishing to participate will normally do so for one semester in their junior year. Students pay Howard University’s tuition and fees. Contact the Dean’s Office for more information.