Special Programs
Learning at Trinity extends beyond the classroom. Trinity’s location in nation’s capital provides many opportunities to learn, grow, explore, and apply knowledge and skills acquired in classes and on campus. Trinity students have engaged in exciting events and opportunities in settings such as The White House, the Library of Congress, the National Archives, the many Smithsonian Museums and Institutes, the Kennedy Center, embassies, government agencies, national and international associations, businesses, non-profits, and community-based organizations – all become sites for research, field trips, internships, study, employment, and more.
Trinity is dedicated to empowering women and men to make a difference in their communities. Special programs develop leadership skills, community engagement, and understanding of public and social policy.
The Billiart Center for Social Justice
The Billiart Center for Social Justice rests on four pillars: scholarship, spirituality, religiosity, and service. The Center explores contemporary local, national, and international social and economic issues that affect the lives of women, particularly in religious and political spheres. The Center’s programs build on the many ways in which these themes already are explored in Trinity’s curricula and extracurricular offerings. The Center supports and consolidates Trinity’s many social justice programs and offers assistance in developing and extending programs and ideas.
The Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area
Trinity is a member of the Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area, which consists of the following universities: American University, The Catholic University of America, Gallaudet University, George Mason University, Georgetown University, The George Washington University, Howard University, Marymount University, Montgomery College, National Defense University, National Intelligence University, Northern Virginia Community College, Prince George’s Community College, Trinity Washington University, Uniformed Services University, University of the District of Columbia, University of Maryland, and the University of Maryland Global Campus. Affiliate members include Johns Hopkins University, The Kennedy Center, Smithsonian Institution, and Virginia Tech.
Through the Consortium, full-time undergraduate and graduate students at Trinity can enroll in courses at participating institutions during fall and spring semesters. Enrollment is subject to the regulations of the Consortium (available from Enrollment Services) and Trinity regulations (see the Academic Policies section for the respective collegiate unit).
High School Student Programs/Dual Enrollment
Reflecting the college’s commitment to assisting students in their transition from high school to college, Trinity offers several special programs to high school students.
High School Articulation Program
Qualified high school seniors and academically excellent juniors may apply to enroll in Trinity courses that are open to students with first-year status as special non-degree students. Upon completion, students may request official transcripts or have them sent to the college of their choice for consideration as credit eligible for transfer toward a degree. If the student decides to enroll at Trinity after high school, the credit is applicable toward their degree. Students interested in applying are asked to submit the following to the Director of Admissions for review.
- the student’s official high school record
- the student’s statement of purpose in applying to the course
- a recommendation from a high school guidance counselor
After review, students will be notified by Admissions if accepted into their chosen course(s). Students are required to pay the usual per-credit fee for the course(s).
Trinity also offers dual enrollment to high school student cohorts through educational partners such as public or charter schools in the Washington Metropolitan area. Dual enrollment courses may be offered on Trinity’s campus or at the partner school with Trinity instruction. For more information or to enquire about the dual enrollment cohort program, please reach out to the Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences.
Early College Program
Trinity’s Early College Program is a partnership between Coolidge Senior High School and Trinity Washington University. Students who complete the program requirements receive an Associate’s degree from Trinity Washington University and a high school diploma from District of Columbia Public Schools. This program offers high school students a rich curriculum and support network that fosters a love of learning and strengthens their ability to pursue a successful postsecondary education. Through this effort, Trinity strives to reduce Washington DC’s education equity gaps as well as increase college completion rates amongst students of color, first-generation college students, students from low-income backgrounds, and others historically excluded from accessing higher education.
Advanced Technical Center Dual Enrollment Program
The Advanced Technical Center (ATC) is a part of the District of Columbia mayor’s Reimagining High Schools initiative. The ATC serves as a centralized program to provide career and technical education (CTE) courses to District students from high schools across the city to prepare them for high-wage, high-skill, and/or in-demand careers. The ATC program of study in General Nursing includes a course sequence in health science, medical terminology, and nutrition and wellness.
Students enrolled in ATC courses earn both postsecondary and high school credit for approved ATC courses taken and passed with a minimum grade of “C-“ or better at Trinity. Grades and credit will be reported on both the student’s official postsecondary transcript as well as the high school transcript.
Internships
Trinity’s mission aims to “prepare students across the lifespan for the intellectual, ethical, and spiritual dimensions of contemporary work, civic, and family life”, integrating the liberal arts with professional preparation. This goal is achieved not only through academic study but also career preparation. Paraprofessional experiences enhance application of theory and skills and may lead to employment post-graduation. Whether graduates wish to start their careers immediately or apply to graduate school, experience in their chosen field is an asset that distinguishes them from peers. Trinity’s internship program is an integral part of the educational experience.
Each semester, Trinity students engage in internships that help them explore academic and professional interests while gaining valuable field experience in a chosen discipline. Career Services maintains an extensive database of internships and professional experiences available to Trinity students. Recent internship sites have included the Senate and Congressional offices, research laboratories, media outlets, health care centers, federal agencies, museums, environmental non-profits, policy think tanks, accounting firms and more.
Internships may be taken for academic credit or may be non-credit bearing, depending upon a student’s goals. Students participating in internships for academic credit must register for a corresponding internship course (usually offered as part of their major) and complete all course requirements. Please visit Career Services for additional information and support.
Multiple Language Learner Services
Trinity provides academic and advising support to students for whom English is not a first language. Academic and advising support for multiple language learners as a supplemental resource may include assistance with study and communication skills, tutoring, research and writing support, as well as the opportunity to participate in student clubs (such as The Butterfly Network and LaCasa, the Latin-American/Caribbean-American Students Organization) and workshop activities. Academic and advising support is available to multiple language learners through Academic Services and the Center for Student Success.
Study Abroad
Trinity students benefit from the opportunity to participate in study abroad programs through Trinity’s Study Aboard partner CIEE and other organizations. Students typically study outside of the U.S. in either the fall or spring semesters, or for mini-mesters in winter or summer terms. Study abroad is excellent for increasing global awareness, experiential learning in diverse social and cultural contexts, and broadening one’s scope of knowledge. Study Abroad students gain proficiency in other languages or take courses in English at their destination of choice where they study political, social, and economic systems of a particular region.
To qualify for study abroad, students must have a minimum GPA of 2.5. Students must have sophomore status or above and with at least two semesters completed at Trinity. To learn more about the range of study abroad opportunities for Trinity students, contact the Office of Career Services.
Trinity at THEARC (Town Hall Education and Recreation Center)
Trinity offers an Associate of Arts Degree for students at the Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus, THEARC, in southeast Washington, DC. Program features include small classes, evening and weekend class times, collegiate bridge courses, academic support, and the ability to complete an entire associate’s degree program at a convenient location in Southeast Washington, DC. Additional information is available on the Trinity at THEARC homepage.
Undergraduate Research Programs
The opportunity to participate in undergraduate research is a best practice for high-impact learning. Students at Trinity engage in authentic undergraduate research in their courses and through independent research with their professors and peers. Students who participate gain important academic and professional skills that prepare them for graduate school or future careers. Many Trinity students publish or present their research at disciplinary venues or at Trinity’s Spring Research Day, a platform for students in all disciplines to display their research and scholarship.
Spring Research Day showcases research conducted during the academic year in the form of a robust, interactive poster session, celebrating the creativity and innovation cultivated by the Trinity educational experience. Spring Research Day typically presents a diverse collection of research findings, scholarship, and critical analysis from students in a variety of disciplines including Bioengineering, Global Affairs, English, Business Administration, and Psychology, and more. Spring Research Day is open to student researchers and scholars of all majors.