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November 10, 2011          

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Fellows Study Legislative Affairs While Working on Capitol Hill

WASHINGTON – GW’s Graduate School of Political Management (GSPM) recently signed another two-year agreement with the Army to continue the Army Fellows Program, a three-year, three-part program for early-career Army officers. The program combines academic work, practical experience on Capitol Hill in a Congress member’s office and a two-year assignment in which fellows use the skills gained in the first two parts of the program to advance the Army’s strategic goals. This 11-course master’s degree focuses on applied politics and is the only degree of its kind in the nation.

“The students in this program are really sophisticated political thinkers,” said Steven Billet, director of the legislative affairs program and associate professor of political management. “Through this program, the Army has an increasing number of people with Hill contacts, which is very valuable for them. Additionally, the program also benefits GW by bringing in highly qualified students, many of whom remain connected to the university after they complete the program.”

Although every branch of the U.S. military has a fellows program, the Army is the only branch whose program includes a university partnership. As part of this partnership, Army fellows earn a master of legislative affairs degree through GSPM, while also having the opportunity to work as legislative liaisons on Capitol Hill.

“Through this program, we really learn about Congress and the theory behind it,” said Major Tim Meadors, who was part of the first Army Fellows class to participate in the program. “And of course it’s always great when you can learn theory and then go actually apply it at the seat of government. I felt very fortunate. The professors are very knowledgeable and if they’re not currently on the Hill, they’ve been on the Hill and know the dynamics.”

Each cohort of fellows begins the program with an intensive orientation lasting from May to December. Fellows also begin their master’s degree coursework during the summer semester, and they continue taking courses through the end of the next calendar year. Classes are held in the evening on Capitol Hill, and Army fellows matriculate with other graduate students enrolled in the legislative affairs master’s program. In January, approximately six months after starting the program, fellows are assigned to one-year stints as legislative liaisons in congressional offices.

More than 100 applicants apply for the 25 available fellows spots each year. Most applicants are Army captains and majors, however sergeant majors—a noncommissioned officer rank—may also apply. Each class also generally includes one civilian who is employed in an Army office. 

GW’s Graduate School of Political Management, the pioneer school in the nonpartisan study of political management and applied politics, offers graduate programs in political management, legislative affairs, public relations and PAC management, as well as international programs in Latin America and Europe. The school seeks to educate students and professionals in the tools, principles and values of participatory democracy; preparing them for careers as ethical and effective advocates and leaders at the international, national and local levels.

For more information about GW’s Graduate School of Political Management, visit: www.gspm.gwu.edu

-GW-