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Archer Fellowship Program

The Archer Fellowship Program provides the opportunity to live, learn and intern in our nation’s capital while making progress toward a UTEP degree.

Home to many government, media and cultural institutions, Washington, D.C., offers unparalleled opportunities for career development and cultural enrichment. Moreover, the program’s unique combination of academic and experiential learning allows students to combine their intellectual and professional interests in a challenging academic environment.

Archer Fellows study and intern in Washington, D.C., during a fall or spring semester. Past internship sites include the White House, the Supreme Court, the World Bank, National Public Radio and the National Council of La Raza, among many others.

FELLOWSHIP OVERVIEW

Students apply for the Archer Fellowship Program well in advance of the semester in which they hope to participate.

The Archer Fellowship Program application for Fall 2027 and Spring 2028 will open in mid-November. The application deadline is typically around February 15 for both semester programs. Selected finalists will be interviewed by the selection committee in March 2027.

Application Materials
Applicants are required to submit the following application materials:

  • Resume
  • Personal statement
  • Policy paper
  • Letters of recommendation
  • List of potential internships
  • Official transcript
  • Signed disclosure statement

All undergraduates meeting the eligibility requirements are encouraged to apply. Courses count as in-residence credit; therefore, graduating seniors may participate during their final semester.

for Junior or Senior Students

To be eligible to apply, students must meet the following requirements at the time they submit an application:

  • Overall GPA of 3.0 or higher
  • Must be pursuing a bachelor’s degree at a University of Texas System institution
  • Previous work or internship experience
  • Campus leadership and/or community involvement

Students selected to participate in the Archer Fellowship Program must meet the following requirements by the beginning of the semester that they will be in Washington, D.C.:

  • Junior or senior status by years and hours (first and second-year students are not eligible)
  • Twenty-four hours of in-residence credit completed at UTEP
  • Completion of political science core-curriculum requirements (POLS2310 and 2311 or their equivalents)

for Graduate Students

To be eligible to apply, students must meet the following requirements at the time they submit an application:

  • Overall GPA of 3.0 or higher
  • Must be pursuing a graduate’s degree (master's or doctoral) at a University of Texas System institution
  • Previous work or internship experience
  • Campus leadership and/or community involvement

Students selected to participate in the Archer Fellowship Program must meet the following requirements by the beginning of the semester that they will be in Washington, D.C.:

  • Nine hours of in-residence credit completed at UTEP
  • GPA of 3.0 or greater

Selection is competitive. Applicants will be assessed based on relevant coursework, as well as their leadership, internship, research, volunteer, organizational, and/or professional experience. For questions on individual eligibility, email the UTEP Archer Campus Coordinator to discuss your background and interests.

for Junior or Senior Students

Archer Fellows take courses taught by faculty who are policy experts in Washington, D.C. Students earn 15 hours of upper-division in-residence course credit at their home campus, including six hours of course credit for their internship experience.

  • Archer Fellow Internship
    POLS 3354: Internship
    COMM 4300: Communication Internship (Students are enrolled in both courses)
  • Policy Making Process
    POLS 3351: Public Policy Process
  • Advocacy in Applied Settings
    COMM 4350: Selected Topics
  • Politics of National Memory
    COMM 4350: Selected Topics

Students are strongly encouraged to consult their academic advisor to learn how these classes will fit into their degree plans. Because the courses are considered in residence, graduating seniors are eligible to participate in the program during their final semester.

for Graduate Students

UT El Paso Archer Fellows take in-residence courses taught by faculty who are policy experts in Washington, D.C. Students earn nine hours of graduate-level credit:

  • Inside Washington: Policymaking from the Ground Up -3 hours
  • Archer Center Independent Study & Research -3 hours
  • Archer Center Washington Internship -3 hours

Students are strongly encouraged to consult their academic advisors to learn how these in-residence classes will fit into their degree plans.

 All Archer Fellows will participate in an internship of their choosing. The Archer Fellowship Program is an extraordinary opportunity for students to live and work in our nation’s capital city and take advantage of all that it has to offer. Students should think of their dream job opportunity in D.C. and go from there. Archer Fellows are responsible for researching and applying for internships on their own, but the Archer Center provides guidance and assistance throughout the process. Archer Fellow interns have developed a professional reputation for their abilities, work ethic and high-quality performance. Over time, this reputation has helped increase the competitiveness of and desire for Archer intern applicants at internships around the capital.

Archer Fellows are required to intern 40 hours per week. The majority of internships tend to be paid, but some internships will be unpaid, so students should not expect to earn an income in D.C. Archer Fellows are prohibited from having an outside job while in D.C. Archer activities since a full-time internship and a full academic course load keep Archer Fellows plenty busy.

Internships The Archer Center

UTEP Archer Fellows are registered as full-time, in-residence UT students. The financial aid that students ordinarily receive almost always applies to the costs of the semester in D.C. Students who wish to use their Texas Guaranteed Tuition Plan (formerly Texas Tomorrow Fund) towards the Archer Fellowship Program will need to take additional steps. Please contact the UTEP Campus Coordinator for more information. Archer Fellows who receive financial aid will have their financial aid package re-evaluated to take into account the higher cost of living in Washington, D.C.

for Junior or Senior Students

The current Archer Fellowship Program fee is $4,900 and is subject to change in future years.

for Graduate Students

The current Graduate Archer Fellowship Program fee is $3,900 and is subject to change in future years.

for Graduate Students

As part of their Independent Study and Research course, Archer Fellows will participate in a specialized working group focused on their academic and professional interests. These working groups enable Archer Fellows to deepen their policy knowledge and connect with policy leaders in their field by completing a research paper and presenting recommendations on a specific policy issue. The policy working groups also foster collaboration between Archer Fellows and faculty.

Students interested in learning more about the Archer Fellowship Program should join us for an information session. Students who need accommodations should contact UTEP’s Archer Campus Coordinator at least five days in advance.

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Visit The Archer Fellowship Program