PLEN
Hood College encourages our female students to participate in the Public Leadership Education Network. PLEN offers exciting programs that allow Hood students to gain firsthand experience shaping public policy in communities, the nation, and the world. Students who enroll in PLEN’s Women and Public Policy Internship Program learn about policy, research, or social advocacy by working alongside women leaders in the Congress, courts, executive agencies, and nongovernmental advocacy groups. Students may earn from 3 to 15 Hood College credits for participation in PLEN’s internship programs. Those who wish to complete a PLEN internship must also meet Hood’s requirements for internship eligibility. PLEN also offers three-day to three-week seminars on topics such as Women and Congress, Women in Science and Technology, Women and International Policy, and Women, Law and Public Policy. To learn more about this program, visit https://plen.org.
The Washington Center
Hood College partners with The Washington Center, which is an independent, nonprofit organization serving hundreds of colleges and universities in the United States and other countries by providing selected students challenging opportunities to work and learn in Washington, D.C. for academic credit. The Washington Center offers two types of programs: Internships and academic seminars. Internships are semester- or summer-long integrated academic and work experiences in government, corporate, and nonprofit organizations. Each internship is tailored to provide meaningful work experiences that will enhance students’ resumes and help launch their careers. This is a “study away” opportunity where students may live in The Washington Center residence apartments. Additionally, students take academic courses and attend special programming during their time at The Washington Center. Academic seminars serve as intensive learning experiences with focus on specific topics, such as National Security, the Presidency, and the Middle East Peace Process. Past seminars have included visits to such locations as Capitol Hill, CNN, the Newseum, embassies, and many others. Seminar events have featured such respected speakers as Ted Koppel, Andrea Mitchell, Howard Dean, and others. Students pay Hood tuition and receive Hood financial aid for The Washington Center Program. Credits and grades earned are calculated in the Hood GPA. Learn more about this program at https://twc.edu.
Washington Semester Program
Hood College cooperates with American University’s Washington Semester Program, an arrangement that provides priority access to Hood students who join 300 to 400 other students from across the country. Students may enroll in any of the units of the program: American National Politics Semester, Foreign Policy Semester, Justice Semester, Public Law Semester, Economic Policy Semester, Peace and Conflict Resolution Semester, Journalism Semester, Museum Studies and the Arts Semester, International Business and Trade Semester, and International Environment and Development Semester. The director and academic advisers of each unit help students plan their programs, including a seminar, an independent research project, and either an internship or a course at American University. Entrance requirements include a grade point average of 2.5, second-semester sophomore status, a recommendation from the Hood faculty advisor to the program, and selection by the director at American University. Credits (but not quality points) are transferable to Hood. Because financial arrangements for room, board, and tuition differ from those at Hood, students are urged to consult with the Hood financial aid officer well in advance. Hood students need not file a petition with the Committee on Academic Standards and Policies to participate in the Washington Semester. Learn more about this program at https://widc.org.
The Washington Internship Institute
The mission of the Washington Internship Institute is to foster students' intellectual, personal, and professional development through individually tailored, quality internships and challenging academic coursework that take full advantage of the opportunities available in the nation's capital and reflect the best practices of experiential learning and liberal education. Founded more than 25 years ago to provide students with unparalleled experiential learning opportunities, a vision we carry forward today. The Washington Internship Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Faculty meet with students on a weekly basis in the internship seminar and core courses. Faculty are accomplished professionals and credentialed academics who provide unparalleled access and attention to students. Programs are open to sophomores, juniors, seniors, and recent graduates of accredited undergraduate college or university in the United States. Students must have a minimum 2.75 GPA. It is recommended that interested students discuss finances and credits with a faculty advisor, Washington Internship Institute campus liaison, before applying and receiving campus approval. Learn more about this program at https://wiidc.org/.
Community College Exchange
Full-time Hood students may take one course each semester at Carroll Community College (CCC) or Hagerstown Community College (HCC) without charge, provided that the course chosen is not offered at Hood during the academic year. See Transfer Policy and Attending Other Institutions for more information on this program.