Answer: An academic offering coordinated by the Office of Undergraduate Studies in conjunction with several academic colleges and the Career Center.

Better answer: A great opportunity for anyone interested in gaining a better understanding of the Federal Government and Federal Policy.

 

The Federal Semester provides a unique opportunity for University of Maryland students to gain insight into federal policy and to have a professional experience in an agency or organization working with federal policy initiatives. At the center of the program is a seminar on federal policy, supported by additional courses and the opportunity for students to earn credits for an internship in the federal government or a related organization. Federal Policy is shaped and carried out in every governmental agency and across countless related organizations. The Federal Semester program will provide an important opportunity to learn about and work within the federal policy process. Students will apply their coursework to their internship and see aspects of policy first-hand.

Rising juniors and seniors with strong academic backgrounds and an interest in the federal government are encouraged to consider this opportunity. The program runs over two semesters, and supplements many students’ academic plans. Students from all majors are eligible and are encouraged to apply.
The Federal Semester consists of three primary components:

1. The Federal Semester Seminar: A three credit seminar focused on a thematic area of federal policy. In the Fall 2008 there are two seminars : UNIV348 Federal Health Policy and UNIV348S Federal Homeland Security Policy.

2. The Internship within a federal agency or related organization (3 credits).

3. The Course work including: Two regular UM courses that complement the Federal Semester mission and a series of  Federal Semester Workshops that will allow student discussion of topics and offer guidance in preparing for the internship experience (6 credits).

In order to apply, students must:

1. Have completed at least 45 academic credits at the time of the application

2. Have a grade point average of 3.0 or better.

3. Complete an application and submit to Dr. Joan Burton, Coordinator for Coordinator of the Federal Semester Program, 0110 Hornbake Library, or mail to Federal Semester, 2130 Mitchell Building, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742. Applications will be reviewed and students admitted on a rolling basis. For best consideration apply now. The Federal Semester is limited to 20 students for the Fall of 2008.

The Federal Semester is limited to 20 students for the Fall of 2008.