Georgetown University's Semester in Washington Program students earn 3 credits by participating in the Law, Legislation and Politics Research Seminar. The research seminar is a guided, independent research project on a topic of their interest within their field of study.

Students have the exclusive opportunity to delve deep into the many facets of law and the legal profession, including emerging trends and challenges facing practitioners in both public and private sectors. As they examine a wide range of topics within their field, Semester in Washington students for example assess the role of international law in U.S. foreign policy, security versus civil liberties in light of September 11, terrorism and homeland security, and the pros and cons of capital punishment.

Throughout the summer term, students meet with their Georgetown University research professor regularly in the classroom and one-on-one sessions. Under the professor's guidance, students receive an overview of both quantitative and qualitative research methods, gaining knowledge that prepares them for interviews with legal professionals, academic experts, policy-makers, and elected officials.

Tapping into the unique resources of the nation's capital and Georgetown University, students conduct primary research on a new and emerging topic within the field of law that interests them. Semester in Washington students culminate their experience by writing a significant, in-depth, original paper. True to Georgetown's Jesuit tradition, the research paper addresses one of the following concepts: applied ethics, leadership, or social justice.