LBJ Washington Center

View of the Tidal Basin with the Washington Monument and Jefferson Monument in view and cherry blossom trees

Study and work in two of the country's cutting-edge cities: Austin and Washington DC

The LBJ School offers two pathways to policy leadership in our nation’s capital: the first is a 15-month DC Concentration within the MPAff and MGPS degree programs, and the second is the option to study foreign policy in DC for one semester. Learn more about opportunities to live, study and work in Washington DC.

15-month DC Concentration for Master’s students

Both the Master of Public Affairs and Master of Global Policy Studies offer an immersive 15-month DC Concentration, a course of accelerated study and work focused on both domestic and international federal policymaking. Offered through the LBJ Washington Center, students take evening classes taught by experts and scholars working in Washington. By day, students work as policy professionals at a required policy apprenticeship. DC students spend their first year in Austin taking foundational coursework before they move to Washington DC for their final summer and fall semesters. The 15-month DC Concentration for MPAff and MGPS students is perfect for the aspiring policy professional who wants a career at the national or global level.

Learn more about the DC Concentration

Foreign Policy Semester  

The LBJ School of Public Affairs is proud to host an immersive spring semester program based in Washington, DC and managed by the LBJ Washington Center. The program is designed to provide participating students with an unparalleled exposure to how foreign policy is created and impacted by entities within the federal arena. Open to second and third year LBJ students as well as University of Texas at Austin juniors and seniors, this program is the perfect option for students who want to experience in our nation’s capital for an edge in their job search or to round out their policy experience.

Learn more about the LBJ School’s Foreign Policy Semester in DC

What students say about the LBJ Washington Center

Da'Shon Carr


"I'm thriving," says LBJ DC student Da'Shon Carr

Carr isn’t new to Washington, but she’s having a new experience in the city she once called home thanks to a supportive network and courses that offer immediate real-world application. 

Sarah Morningred


"LBJ DC has been the best choice for me." 

Sarah Morningred has long dreamt of working for the federal government. She says the LBJ Washington Center has been a front door to opportunities in the nation’s capital. 

Eric Bustos


Federal policy immersion at LBJ's Washington Center

After a decade of experience in state and local government, government affairs professional Eric Bustos packed his bags to live, study and work in the nation’s capital.

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LBJ Washington Center News

LBJ School DC Class of 2023 - grid of headshots of graduates in regalia

LBJ DC Graduation 2023: Meet DC’s next generation of policy leaders

A cohort of graduate students from the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at The University of Texas embarked on a transformative journey, blending academic rigor with hands-on policy apprenticeships in Washington DC. The students, who graduated on Saturday, reflect on their time at LBJ with gratitude for a supportive community, impactful policy work, and a wealth of experiences that will undoubtedly shape their futures in public service.
Portrait of Will Barrett wearing an orange LBJ t-shirt and giving the hook 'em hand gesture

Student Spotlight: From Policy Apprenticeships to Graduation, A DC Fellow’s Journey

Through the DC Concentration, Will Barrett (MGPS-DC ) found himself in the rooms where foreign policy happens. He took LBJ classes at night and worked by day, notably contributing to subnational diplomacy goals at Foreign Policy for America and gaining insights into federal government operations at the Department of State’s European and Eurasian Bureau. He graduates on Dec. 9 with a readiness to change the world.
2023 DC Student Policy Apprenticeships

2023 Policy Apprenticeships

The eighth cohort of graduate students in the LBJ School of Public Affairs's unique and accelerated DC Concentration have begun their Policy Apprenticeships in Washington, DC.