The Graduate Archer Fellowship Program provides graduate students from across The University of Texas System with a unique opportunity to live, learn, and intern in our nation’s capital during the summer. Home to many government, media, research, and cultural institutions, Washington, D.C., offers unparalleled opportunities for career development and cultural enrichment. While in D.C., students earn in-residence UT San Antonio credit for their coursework and gain hands-on work experience in an internship. Through a shared cohort experience, Graduate Archer Fellows build lasting friendships and professional connections with each other. The Graduate Archer Fellowship Program is tailored to students’ own personal and intellectual interests, which allows them to connect their developing expertise to policy and public service.
The Graduate Archer Fellowship Program is available to graduate, medical, and doctoral students of all academic disciplines, and we welcome a diverse array of student interests and backgrounds.
Students must meet the following eligibility requirements in order to apply:
- Applicant must be pursuing a graduate degree (masters, Ph.D., M.D., J.D.) at a University of Texas System university
- GPA of 3.0 or greater at The University of Texas at San Antonio
- Previous professional or internship experience
- Campus involvement and/or community leadership experience
If selected for the Graduate Archer Fellowship Program, students must meet the following requirements by the beginning of the summer they will be in Washington, D.C.:
- Nine hours of in-residence credit completed at The University of Texas at San Antonio
- GPA of 3.0 or greater
Archer Fellows take courses housed in the LBJ School of Public Affairs, which are taught by faculty from UT Dallas and policy experts from the Washington, D.C., community. Students earn 9 hours of graduate-level credit:
- HCAP 6973: Inside Washington: Policymaking from the Ground Up
- HCAP 6953: Archer Center Independent Study and Research
- HCAP 6963: Archer Center Washington DC Internship
Students are strongly encouraged to consult their academic advisors to learn how these classes will fit into their degree plans.
As part of the coursework, Archer Fellows will participate in a specialized working group in one of several topic areas: General Domestic Policy, Education Policy, Health and Healthcare Policy, National Security, and Global Affairs Policy. These working groups enable Fellows to connect with policy leaders in their field through policy roundtables and tailored academic research projects. In addition, these working groups foster research and policy collaboration between Archer Fellows.
All Archer Fellows participate in a full-time internship that aligns with their academic and professional goals. Archer Fellows are responsible for researching and applying for internships, while Archer Center staff provides guidance and assistance throughout the process. The Archer Center has a vast network of connections in a variety of fields in the nation’s capital, and Archer Fellows have developed a fantastic reputation as high quality interns.
While many internships in Washington. D.C., offer financial compensation (e.g. stipends, hourly pay, etc.), some opportunities remain unpaid. For that reason, students should not expect to earn an income while in D.C. Visit archercenter.org for a non- exhaustive list of potential internship sites.
The Graduate Archer Fellowship Program fee is $3,900, and is subject to change. This fee does not cover housing or other expenses. Archer Fellows pay a program fee in lieu of UT San Antonio tuition, and most financial resources currently used on their home campus can apply to the Archer Fellowship Program costs. Students are encouraged to visit archercenter.org/funding-your- fellowship.html for more information on program expenses.
Generous scholarships are available to help Archer Fellows fund their semester in Washington, D.C.
Typically, students fund their Fellowship through existing financial aid, designated campus funding, and Archer Center need and merit-based scholarships. If you have concerns about the cost of the program, please reach out to the Archer Center. We do not want financial concerns to keep you from applying to be an Archer Fellow.
Contact
Associate Dean of Student Success, Professor
Criminology and Criminal Justice
