Les Aspin Programs

ASPIN Washington Internship Program

The Les Aspin Center for Government is Marquette’s campus in Washington D.C., offering students the opportunity to study in the nation’s capital as part of their degree program. Students live and work on Capitol Hill, take courses, and intern with Congress, executive agencies, private sector firms, journalists, and non-profit organizations. The program is open for students in all majors and colleges. Students receive hands-on training and develop important professional skills. All programs include academic course work in addition to guest lectures, symposia, and site visits. Programs are offered during each fall, spring, and summer term, as well as accelerated courses during J-Session, May, and December. 

Fall, spring, and summer students complete four required credits related to their internships: ASPN 4985 Professional Reflection and Discernment Seminar and ASPN 4986 Professional Experience in Washington, D.C. These courses may be counted towards students' majors and minors with consent of the relevant academic units. Additionally, fall and spring students complete at least eight credits of electives, for a total of 12 to 18 credits for the term. Summer students may take up to four elective credits in addition to the four required internship credits.

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Required courses:
ASPN 4985	Professional Reflection and Discernment Seminar	1
ASPN 4986	Professional Experience in Washington, D.C.	3
Elective courses:
ASPN 3370	Washington, D.C. and the American Experience	3
ASPN 4100	Humanities Topics in Washington, DC	1-3
ASPN 4932	Topics in Washington D.C. 1	1-3
POSC 4217	Research and Writing for Public Policy	1-3

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There are multiple ASPN 4932 Topics in Washington D.C. electives offered each term, each with different topics. Each course can count towards one or more majors and minors.

Cost of living stipends are normally provided for the fall, spring, and summer terms for eligible students. For more information, contact the Aspin Center's Washington D.C. office at aspincenter@marquette.edu or 202-554-6140 and visit The Les Aspin for Government website. The Les Aspin Center for Government is located at 502 East Capitol St. NE, Washington, D.C. 20003.

KLEZCKA Milwaukee Internship Program

The Kleczka Internship Program, located on Marquette's Milwaukee campus, is a local initiative of the Aspin Center. Students take their regular course load in addition to working 10 to 15 hours per week in the internship. Students are placed in a variety of positions in federal, state, county and local government offices, non-profit organizations, and private sector firms. Students may take an internship course to get academic credit for the internship. The program is offered in the fall, spring, and summer terms. Students may be eligible for a stipend. For more information, contact Prof. Sam Harshner at sam.harshner@marquette.edu and visit the Kleczka Program website.

Aspin Scholars Program

The Aspin Scholars Program selects up to ten high school seniors who have demonstrated high academic achievement and an interest in public affairs. These ten Aspin Scholars are guaranteed the opportunity to participate in the Washington, D.C. internship program during the fall or spring term of their junior year at Marquette (or during a year that works with their academic program of study). Pending availability, Aspin Scholars may receive an additional stipend award for the term they are in Washington, D.C. For more information, contact the Aspin Center's Washington D.C. office at aspincenter@marquette.edu or 202-554-6140.