Students in the Spring to D.C. program take classes and complete a semester-long field placement in Washington, D.C during the spring semester. Your field placement will range from six to nine credit hours, be at least 10 weeks long, and take place at an entity approved by the program director that meets both College of Law and ABA requirements.

Just like field placements in Utah, you will choose your path and be responsible for landing your placement. But we're here to help! You have the full support of the Experiential Education and the Career Development offices, whether applying to pre-approved opportunities or requesting approval of new opportunities that fit your unique interests. The important thing is to plan ahead and reach out early for the support you need!

Meanwhile, classes will be taught by College of Law faculty at the University of Utah's Orin G. Hatch Center, just off Dupont Circle, or by faculty at our local partner school, the UDC David A. Clarke School of Law, at their campus in Northwest D.C. The classes will vary from year to year, but the program will offer courses on a schedule that allows you to maximize your field placement experience, find time to study and stay on track academically, and take advantage of the myriad opportunities D.C. has to offer.

Having a D.C. field placement on your resume will give you a leg up no matter where you want to work or what you want to do. Having access to a broad network is invaluable in opening doors and getting you on the shortlist for competitive and rewarding job opportunities, regardless of where you want to work. Practicing in D.C. connects you to agencies, firms, and government attorneys—connections that can be formed nowhere else in the world and that you will leverage throughout your career.

You will benefit from a deep bench of champions whose recommendations and advice can open doors and make the difference when applying for your dream job, clerkship, or fellowship. In short: One semester in D.C. can change your life.

The program's primary location is the stunning Orin G. Hatch Center, which is the University of Utah’s home in Washington D.C. This is where you'll attend classes, have the chance to connect with fellow SJQ and Hinckley Institute students, and may choose to live for the semester. The center is located in the vibrant Dupont Circle neighborhood, a thriving, safe and cosmopolitan area known for its wonderful restaurants, bars, coffee shops and cultural attractions. It's just minutes from the D.C. Metro, giving you easy and inexpensive access to the entire city. Students may also take classes at the UDC David A. Clarke School of Law, on their campus in Northwest D.C.

Field placements in D.C. take place at agencies and organizations that shape our world, impacting policy on issues ranging from the environment to healthcare, from civil society to national security, and beyond. Our Experiential Education and Career Development offices will help you identify and pursue opportunities in the federal government, public and private law firms, nonprofits, think tanks, or any of the hundreds of qualifying organizations in the D.C. area. From traditional practice, to lobbying, to non-traditional careers, D.C. offers an unrivaled array of opportunities to explore your interests.

Washington D.C. is a city of neighborhoods, each with its own unique feel, amenities, and character. If you are interested in communal living, you may apply to live in student housing at the Hinckley Institute's Orin G. Hatch Center, just off Dupont Circle. This neighborhood is one of the most desirable in D.C., and is a thriving center for restaurants, shopping, public transport. There are myriad other housing options in the region, including condos, apartments, sublets and more. Best of all, the D.C. metro subway system connects you to the greater D.C. region and is a great way to get around while avoiding traffic and parking. Whatever your preference for housing, you will be responsible for locating and securing a place to live, so it's essential to plan ahead to budget for and secure housing.

You'll pay the same tuition you would if you were taking classes in Salt Lake City, with some additional fees. You will be responsible for your own transportation and living expenses. All of this makes it important to budget for the trip, make sure your financial aid is in order, and keep in mind that D.C.'s cost of living may be more expensive than Salt Lake City's.

For financial aid advising, schedule an appointment with Assistant Dean for Admissions and Financial Aid Reyes Aguilar.

Utah Law's faculty will participate and teach in the program, and they will vary from year to year. They will be augmented by our amazing alumni and our partners in D.C., including faculty at the UDC David A. Clarke School of Law. This array of faculty gives you the opportunity to further your academic career with professors you know, as well as learn from practitioners and faculty who live full-time in the D.C. region. Think of it as getting the best of Salt Lake and D.C. without missing a step on the path to your future success!

Assistant Dean for Career Development Arturo Thompson will be available to you throughout the program, both remotely and during planned visits to Washington D.C. throughout the spring semester. Students will also have academic advising support from Utah Law's Student Affairs and Experiential Education offices both before and during the program.

While in D.C., students will have full access to the support services that the Hinckley Institute provides, regardless of whether they are living in student housing at the Orrin G. Hatch Center. These include mental health and local emergency contact services, discounted Metro (public transportation) passes, and more.