The University of Rochester’s Social Impact and Entrepreneurship Semester

Study, live, and work in our nation’s capital. Open to all majors, the University of Rochester’s Social Impact and Entrepreneurship Program is an opportunity for Rochester students to spend the fall semester in Washington DC, learning about social entrepreneurship through courses and cutting-edge internship experiences. Students in this program will be able to:

  • Participate in a real-world, challenging internship experience
  • Build their resume and network
  • Meet new people and create lifelong relationships

About

The Social Impact and Entrepreneurship Program is partnering with The Washington Center (TWC) to provide:

  • Internship development—TWC has over 40 years’ experience in offering academic internships in Washington, DC.
  • Staff, services, and space—with a staff of 90, TWC hosts more than 2,000 students annually and provides turnkey students services, as well as state-of-the-art classroom facilities.
  • Connections—the program will benefit from TWC’s on-the-ground administrative infrastructure, and provides extensive expertise and connections to organizations working around the globe in social innovation.
  • Residential facilities—live with students from around the globe. Stay in newly renovated dorms in the heart of Washington DC.

Course Credits

Students in this program will earn a total of 16 credit hours, eight for the internship and four for the two required courses. The program includes classes on social entrepreneurship, guest lecturers, and site visits. The credit hours can be used to satisfy a social sciences cluster.

Coursework

Students will attend two courses on social entrepreneurship at state of the art academic facilities. Courses are designed to provide a practical understanding of the social entrepreneurial ecosystem and will develop leadership, communication, and strategic thinking skills.

  • SEN 202 Corporate Social Responsibility (4 credit hours)
  • SEN 203 Environmental Markets (4 credit hours)
  • SEN 394A Internship in Social Entrepreneurship (8 credit hours)

Internship

Intern at local, national, and international governmental agencies, non-profits, and private enterprises. Gain practical social entrepreneurial experience at world-renowned institutions.

Student Testimonials

Blog

Thanksgiving in DC: Friends and Food from Around the World

By: Alexander Pavlicin, Class of 2020 “What is this place going to be like?” I remember wondering back in mid-June. Having just found out that I was accepted into the University of Rochester’s Social Impact and Entrepreneurship program, I was excited – but also nervous – at the prospect of living in Washington, DC. Fast …

What it’s really like to work at a company in the US

By: May Chang, Class of 2020 As an international student, I always wondered, “what’s it really like to work at a company in the United States?”. I found the answer this semester thanks to the Social Impact and Entrepreneurship program. I learned all about US workplace culture, employee relations, and leadership structure through hands-on experience, …

Contact

For more information on the UR Social Impact and Entrepreneurship Program contact Alissa Clark (alissa.clark@rochester.edu) or stop by 107 Lattimore Hall