Summer Diplomatic Academy

OVERVIEW

Our Summer Diplomatic Academy is a unique and intensive practical training program that introduces undergraduate and graduate students and recent graduates to careers in international diplomacy. It covers the fundamentals of diplomatic practice and focuses on real-life aspects of work in governments, embassies and consulates, international organizations and global NGOs. The material emphasizes a skills-based and experiential-learning approach, and is generally not offered at colleges and universities. The program also includes career-counseling sessions.

The course is taught by career ambassadors and other professional diplomats who have served in dozens of countries over several decades. They provide insight into policy-making and implementation, diplomatic protocol, the functions and management of embassies and consulates, diplomatic reporting and writing, negotiation and mediation, political and economic tradecraft, public diplomacy and cross-cultural communication and other skills and competencies. You can preview some of the sessions on this page.

Program Sessions

The National and International Diplomacy Systems

The Interagency Foreign-Policy Process

Diplomatic Protocol and Immunities

Managing a Diplomatic Mission

Exercise: Competing Mission Priorities

Political Tradecraft

Diplomatic Advocacy and Lobbying

Diplomatic Reporting and Writing

Exercise: Writing Diplomatic Cables

Diplomatic Communication: How to Talk and Listen Like a Diplomat

Exercise: Delivering a Diplomatic Démarche

Economic Tradecraft

Environmental and Science Diplomacy

Commercial Diplomacy

Consular Affairs

Crisis-Management Abroad

Career-Counseling Session

The Diplomacy-Defense-Intelligence Axis

Public Diplomacy: Media Relations and Cultural Affairs

Exercise: Media Interviews

Public Speaking in a Diplomacy Context

Cross-Cultural Communication

Diplomatic Negotiation and Mediation

Exercise: Diplomatic Negotiation

Cyber Diplomacy

Multilateral Diplomacy

Check out session previews and previous trainee testimonials

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Application Process

Undergraduate and graduate students, recent graduates and early-career professionals are eligible to apply to the Summer Diplomatic Academy. Previous coursework in political science, international relations or related fields is highly desirable, but not required.

Applications must include a completed application form and a CV or résumé. A cover letter or personal statement, explaining how the academy will help you achieve your career goals (up to 500 words), is strongly encouraged but not required. The deadline to apply for early admission is January 31, 2020. The deadline to apply for regular admission is March 31, 2020.

There is a $55 application fee. Once we receive your application, we will send you an electronic invoice, which you can pay with a debit or credit card. The application fee must be paid before your application is reviewed by the Selection Committee. If you are accepted and enroll in the program, the full fee will be deducted from your tuition cost.

Both U.S. and foreign citizens may apply. Fluency in English is required. International applicants who are not already in the United States will be responsible for obtaining their own U.S. entry visas on the basis of our admission letter. Candidates from visa-waiver countries need an electronic visa (ESTA), which can be obtained online.

Tuition & Other Fees

The tuition fee includes the cost of all sessions and study materials (except for recommended books). We also offer hotel accommodation. The hotel prices below cover 13 nights, checking in on July 19 and checking out on August 1. Additional nights are available upon request.

Tuition: $4,000

Double-occupancy accommodation: $1,300

Single-occupancy accommodation: $2,300