D.C. Human Rights Seminar
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The Washington, D.C., Human Rights Seminar offers a unique opportunity to develop real-world policy skills, expand your professional network, and explore careers in public policy and public service—all while engaging with some of the most pressing human rights challenges of our time.
Ready to take the next step? Keep reading to learn more and apply!
Important Dates
The 2025 application has not opened yet. Important dates will be announced soon.
Tentative timeline (subject to change) –
| April 2025 | Info Sessions Join a virtual Q&A to learn more about the program and application process. |
| April 30, 2025 | Application deadline Online form closes 11:59 PM. |
| Early May | Applicant review and notifications |
| Early June | Cohort Meet & Greet |
| Sept 3 & 4, 2025 | Pre-departure workshops Mandatory in-person attendance is required (8:30 AM – 4:30 PM on both days). |
| Sept 7 – 13, 2025 | On-site in Washington, DC Arrive no later than 6 PM on Sunday, 9/7. Depart on Saturday, 9/13. |
| Autumn 2025 | Enrollment in BIS 403 Program fees due on tuition deadline, 10/5/2025 |
| Dec 2025 | Policy Research Paper Due |
| Dec 10, 2025 | Research Presentation at Human Rights Day event |
About the Program
From the Classroom to the Capitol: Explore Human Rights Policy Where It Happens.
The Washington, D.C., Human Rights Seminar offers an unparalleled opportunity to engage directly with the institutions and people shaping the future of human rights policy. Taught under course number BIS 403, the Human Rights Seminar combines academic study at UW Bothell with a transformative, week-long immersion in Washington, D.C., where you will:
- Meet policymakers and changemakers—engaging with legislators, federal agencies, NGOs, think tanks, and foreign embassies.
- Gain firsthand insight into how human rights policies are shaped, debated, and implemented.
- Strengthen your analytical and research skills by investigating real-world human rights challenges and policy responses.
Expand your professional network with experts in government, advocacy, and international affairs.
Before traveling to Washington, D.C., students will develop a critical foundation in human rights policy and the policymaking process. Through assigned readings, discussions, and pre-departure activities, students will examine how power is produced, distributed, and exercised within political institutions. They will explore the philosophical, legal, and political foundations of modern human rights movements and analyze the challenges of advancing human rights within U.S. policy.
This interdisciplinary approach will prepare students to tackle key questions such as:
- How do international human rights standards intersect with U.S. domestic law and policy?
- Who shapes human rights policy, and what role do governmental and non-governmental actors play?
- What are the current political and legal obstacles to advancing human rights in U.S. domestic and foreign policy?
Building on these discussions, each student will identify a focused research question on a human rights issue that can be investigated firsthand during their time in Washington, D.C.
In the heart of the U.S. Capitol, students will engage in an intensive, fast-paced week of policy briefings, institutional visits, and direct engagement with decision-makers. Accompanied by the course instructor and a staff advisor, students will navigate the city via public transit, visiting Congressional offices, federal agencies, embassies, think tanks, and advocacy organizations.
The daily schedule includes meetings with policymakers, analysts, and advocates, typically including:
- The Pentagon and the Department of State
- Offices of Senators and Representatives
- Embassies and diplomatic missions
- Influential think tanks, including The Heritage Foundation, The Brookings Institution, and the U.S. Institute of Peace
- Leading human rights organizations such as Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and The Friends Committee on National Legislation
These briefings provide students unparalleled access to experts across the political spectrum, allowing students to test their research assumptions, gain professional insights, and expand their networks.
This week is an intensive, full-immersion experience requiring focus, stamina, and adaptability. While rewarding, the schedule leaves little time for sightseeing, and students who wish to explore Washington, D.C., are encouraged to extend their stay beyond the seminar.
After spending a week in the U.S. Capitol performing field research and policy analysis, students will return to Washington state and complete a research paper while enrolled in 5-credits of BIS 403. Students will work independently for the remainder of the course while maintaining regular engagement with the course instructor for feedback and guidance.
The research experience culminates in a poster presentation at UW Bothell, coinciding with International Human Rights Day. Students reconvene as a cohort to present their findings, engage in discussions with faculty and community members, and celebrate their hard work.
The Washington, D.C., Human Rights Seminar is housed in the School of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences and has been part of the curriculum since 1990. This course satisfies the Interdisciplinary Practice and Reflection (IPR) requirement for IAS majors and will promote the analytical skills associated with original research in the policy process.
For over 30 years, students have called this seminar “a life-changing experience.” Many alumni have gone on to successful careers in government, law, foreign service, and human rights advocacy, using the skills and connections gained in this seminar to launch careers in:
- Legislative policy and government affairs
- International human rights law
- Foreign service and diplomacy
- NGOs and public interest advocacy
Some alumni also go on to pursue graduate school in our Master of Arts in Policy Studies program. Regardless of their career path, students graduate with a deeper understanding of how policy is made, how democracy functions in practice, and how they can influence change.
The Instructor
Professor Bruce Kochis has dedicated over 25 years to advancing human rights education and policy analysis at the University of Washington Bothell. Specializing in international human rights, political culture, and public policy, he has a particular focus on human rights development in emerging democracies, especially within Eastern Europe. His research delves into the comparative construction and implementation of human rights across societies, emphasizing the role of discourse in shaping political and cultural agendas.
As the founder of the University of Washington’s Human Rights Education and Research Network, Professor Kochis played a pivotal role in establishing the UW Center for Human Rights and was instrumental in creating the tri-campus Human Rights minor. For more than a decade, he has led the Washington, D.C., Human Rights Seminar, guiding students through immersive experiences in the nation’s capital to engage directly with policymakers and advocates. Throughout his tenure, Professor Kochis has been celebrated for his leadership and dedication, profoundly impacting both students and the broader community.
In recognition of his significant contributions to human rights and higher education, the City of Bothell proclaimed January 17, 2018, as Bruce Kochis Day.
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The 2025 application has not opened yet. Check back soon!
The program is open to UW Bothell students in all undergraduate majors. Preference will be given to applicants who have taken courses that are relevant to the Washington D.C. Human Rights Seminar or have other previous learning experiences related to human rights and public policy.
Eligibility
- Must be available to meet in-person in Washington, D.C. for the entirety of the program: Sunday, September 7, 2025 – Friday, September 14, 2025.
- Must be eligible to register in 5-credits during Autumn 2025.
- Must be in good academic standing (i.e. not currently on Academic Warning, not placed on Academic Alert or Academic Drop due to low scholarship).
How to Apply
Fill out the online application form before the deadline. Late applications cannot be accepted.
Students are encouraged to draft responses to the following questions in a separate document before starting their application. Limit responses to 250 – 300 words, then copy text and paste into the online form.
- List the courses you have taken or describe other previous learning experiences related to human rights and public policy. Provide full course details including prefix, number, and course title where applicable.
- How have your previous courses, extracurricular activities, or other learning experiences prepared you to engage issues in human rights and public policy?
- How does the Washington D.C., Human Rights Seminar align with your academic interests and future career aspirations? In what ways do you hope this experience will enhance your understanding of human rights and contribute to your professional development?
Applicants will learn in mid-May if their application for participation has been accepted. Students selected for participation must attend program activities planned for early June. Time and date will be announced later.
Back to the top of the pageProgram Fee
The 2025 program fee will be available soon.
The cost of this program will be charged as a program fee upon registration in BIS 403. Students can register for this autumn course once they are notified of their selection for the program. The program fee is not due until the autumn quarter tuition deadline.
Expenses covered by the program fee include:
- Student housing for 6 nights
- Dinner in Washington, D.C. (Sunday – Wednesday only)
- Lunch and refreshments at pre-departure workshops
- United States Holocaust Memorial Museum entrance fee
- 7-day Metro Card
The cost of room and board is covered by the program fee.
Additional information about lodging will be available soon.
The program fee does not cover airfare to D.C. Students must arrange travel on their own.
Students are also responsible for covering the following additional expenses:
- Breakfast and lunch on your own while in D.C.
- Dinner on your own while in D.C. (Thursday and Friday)
- Souvenirs and personal expenses
- Transportation between airport and D.C. lodging
Students may apply financial aid toward the program fee and expenses but should be aware that aid cannot be disbursed until autumn quarter begins. Financial aid will be available in time to cover the program fee by the tuition deadline.
Students can submit a revision request to increase the amount of financial aid received for autumn quarter. These additional funds are usually awarded in the form of loans. To apply, fill out a Revision Request for Study Abroad/Exploration Seminar form.
Students will need to purchase airfare before autumn quarter financial aid is disbursed. Many students take advantage of options like short-term loans through the Office of Student Financial Aid to help bridge this gap.
Contact the Office of Student Financial Aid to explore options for additional funding that can be disbursed before the start of autumn quarter.
The D.C. Impact
Since 1991, more than 500 students have participated in the D.C. Seminar, which is often referenced as one of their most formative learning experiences. Our D.C. alumni include a civil rights lawyer, a health policy maker, an environmental justice activist, and racial equity leader. Learn how the D.C. Seminar has impacted their lives.
Morgan Mentzer (’04) is co-founder and executive director of Lavender Rights Project (LRP). LRP offers multiple services, including legal aid, mediation, information clinics, and actively participates in coalition-building that connects the queer and trans community to culturally competent legal service providers.
Courtney McCurdy (’03) is the Refugee Program Consultant for North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services where she supports refugee agencies at a policy level after many years of direct service. Courtney aims to educate communities on who refugees are, where they come from, and the benefits they bring.
More alumni stories
25th Year Reunion
D.C. alumni reunited in 2015 to share memories and discover opportunities for collaboration, learning, and philanthropy. Guests enjoyed a special message from program founder Bob Schultz, an alumni slide show, and 25th birthday cake! The reunion also marked the launch of the Washington D.C. Seminar Travel Assistance Fund.
Building a strong professional network starts now! Connect with past Washington, D.C., Human Rights Seminar participants on LinkedIn to gain insights into their experiences, learn about career pathways, and start building relationships with like-minded professionals. By engaging with this network early, you’ll have access to valuable advice, potential mentorship opportunities, and a growing community of UW alumni who share your passion for human rights and public policy.
Support Future Human Rights Leaders—Donate to the Washington, D.C. Seminar Travel Assistance Fund!
The Washington, D.C. Seminar on Human Rights is a life-changing opportunity for UW Bothell students to engage directly with policymakers, NGOs, and advocacy groups shaping U.S. human rights policy. Your donation is needed to help eliminate financial hurdles and allow more students to participate in this immersive learning experience.
By giving to the Washington, D.C. Seminar Travel Assistance Fund, you are investing in the next generation of human rights advocates, policymakers, and legal professionals. Join us in breaking down financial barriers and empowering students to become leaders in human rights and public service.
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