Program Overview

Academic internship programs through the UC Center in Sacramento (UCCS) and UC Washington Center (UCDC) provide high-impact experiential learning opportunities beyond the classroom for students to earn academic credit and career readiness skills. Students will grow professionally within their career fields and enhance academic learning. The educational value is exhibited through research, student learning objectives, professional and academic guidance from a faculty advisor and internship site supervisor, and the opportunity to successfully link theoretical knowledge from the classroom to the real-world.

Undergraduate students spend 10 weeks during the summer, fall, winter, or spring quarter. The cost is comparable to a UCR quarter, financial aid applies, and scholarships are available. Students must have good academic standing, junior/senior standing (or completed at least two upper-division coursework in any field), and must plan a year in advance to ensure the coursework fits their UCR academic plan. Capital internships are open to ALL majors, including arts and STEM majors. Students do not need to be political science or public policy majors, or interested in law or government relations! International, undocumented/AB540/DACA and transfer students are also welcome!

UCDC Capital Internship

• Overview: A 10 or 11-week opportunity in which students apply to intern with an organization of their choice, take classes related to DC culture, live and intern in Washington, D.C., and in exchange receive academic credit. 
• Requirement: Must be at least Junior.
• Application Requirements:
  • Resume 
  • Cover letter 
  • Transcript(s) 
  • UCDC online application 
• Application Deadline: Open year-round
  • Winter 2025 applications due: September 5, 2024
  • Spring 2025 applications due: November 7, 2024
  • Summer 2025 applications due: January 9, 2025
  • Fall 2025 applications due: April 3, 2025
• Eligibility: Any student that meets the requirements.
• Average Cost: $12,311 (Non-summer),  $8,870 (Summer)
• Program Contact: ucdc@ucr.edu

UCCS Capital Internship

• Overview: UC Center Sacramento is the University of California’s teaching, research, and public-service site located one block from the State Capitol Building. Operated by UC Davis, UCCS offers a distinctive academic program in public policy to students from the UCs. The program provides students with an opportunity to study through seminars and internships in and around the state Capitol.
• Requirement: Must be at least Junior.
• Application Requirements:
  • Resume 
  • Cover letter 
  • Transcript(s) 
  • UCDC application 
• Application Deadline: Open year-round
  • Fall 2024 applications due: May 16, 2024
  • Winter 2025 applications due: August 22, 2024
  • Spring 2025 applications due: October 30, 2024
  • Summer 2025 applications due: February 6, 2025 
• Eligibility:
  • Minimum of 1 quarter completed at UCR 
  • Minimum of 3.00 GPA
  • Complete at least two (2) upper-division courses in any field
  • Submit a complete application by the deadline
• Average Cost: $13,908.33 (Non-summer),  $10,251.81 (Summer)
• Program Contact: uccsadvisors@ucdavis.edu

Visit Capital Internships website