Program Details

Serve as Senator or run for President at the NSLC on Political Action & Public Policy.

At the NSLC on Political Action & Public Policy, you will learn how you can have an impact on our nation’s future. You and the other students in your program will stage a mock Presidential campaign. At the same time you will immerse yourself in the inner workings of the U.S. Congress. Leading political advisors, politicians and experts on the intricacies of government will be your guides as you gain a real-world understanding of the U.S. political system.

Program Highlights

Presidential Campaign Simulation
Strategize an action plan to secure your candidate’s success or even campaign for votes as you run for President

Visit Government Institutions
including the State Department and Capitol Hill

U.S. Senate Simulation
Step into the shoes of a U.S. Senator as you work to see your ideas and passions become law

Dates & Locations

Note: Space is limited. Please login to the online application to see up-to-date session availability.

American University

Washington, DC

Sample Schedule
Trips & Tours
Explore Location
  • June 11 - June 19
  • June 23 - July 1

Hands-on Simulations

The NSLC summer political science program for high school students, U.S. Policy and Politics, gives you an opportunity to immerse yourself in the challenging complexities of the American political system. You will step into the shoes of a U.S. Senator as you work to see your ideas and passions become law. You will use your powers of persuasion and negotiation skills as you move your bill from committee to the Senate floor. In addition to serving your country in the Senate, you and your team will face the challenges of a fast-paced Presidential campaign. You may attempt to influence the election as part of an issue advocacy campaign, strategize an action plan to secure your candidate’s success or even campaign for votes as you run for President.

Our college-level lecture series will give you a foundation of knowledge on the American political system that will be vital for your success, not only during your conference but in your future career in politics and government.

Topics include:

  • Campaigns and Elections
  • Foundations of American Political Culture
  • Interest Groups and the Media
  • Congressional History and Structure
  • The Presidency

Meet Political Professionals

While at the NSLC summer political science program, you will meet with and learn from U.S. government officials, interest group leaders and political campaign experts. In past years, our students were able to question Congressmen on policy, hear inside campaign stories and strategies from Presidential campaign managers, ask Secretaries about interdepartmental coordination and program implementation, and learn about upcoming elections from the Chairmen of the Democratic and Republican National Committees.

Examples of past guest speakers include:

Robert Gates
Former Secretary of Defense

Ms. Sharon Day, Co-Chair
Republican National Committee

Mr. Raymond Buckley
Vice Chairman, Democratic National Committee

Senator Angus King
Independent - Maine

Jeh Johnson
Former Secretary of Homeland Security

Senator Michael Bennett
Democrat - Colorado

Behind-the-Scenes Tours

An important part of the NSLC summer political science program is seeing the sites around some of our nation’s greatest cities. These trips are designed as both sightseeing tours and exclusive educational trips specifically tailored to the area of Politics.

Trips may include:

American University

Capitol Hill | U.S. Supreme Court | State Department | The Pentagon | The Smithsonian Institution | Historic D.C. Monuments at Night

Leadership Training

At the heart of the NSLC is a leadership curriculum designed to build concrete leadership skills that will help you succeed. Interactive lectures and small-group workshops will give you an opportunity to build upon your strengths and minimize your weaknesses.

Leadership topics tailored to the Political Action & Public Policy program include:

  • Personality Styles and Group Dynamics
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Negotiation
  • Public Speaking
  • Intrapersonal Communication

College Credit Option

American University (AU) and NSLC have a unique partnership that enables you to earn college credit by enrolling in a supplemental online course designed to correlate with your NSLC program’s area of study. By enrolling in this credit course, you will enjoy a stimulating, innovative, and personalized college-level learning experience that builds on your NSLC accomplishments. The course is for one credit and is taught in a self-paced, asynchronous format across six weeks, allowing ample time to complete assignments. The course is designed to work within the framework of NSLC; students are not expected to complete coursework while on campus. Students may register for college credit via their personal student portal (myNSLC) once they have enrolled in an NSLC session.

Click here to learn more about this opportunity.

Tuition

Program tuition includes housing, all on-campus meals, course materials, academic expenses, and activities. Tuition also includes chartered, air-conditioned motor coaches for off-campus briefings and tours. Note: Students are responsible for the cost of travel to and from the program as well as individual spending money for souvenirs, laundry, and a few off-campus meals during fields trips and tours.

Click here to view our cancellation and refund policy.

LocationTuition
Washington, D.C.$3,595
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