A Practical Training Program for Students and Recent Graduates
Full-Time Option
July 20-31, 2020 | Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. & Saturday, 9 a.m.–12:30 p.m.Part-Time Option
June 6–August 15, 2020 | Saturday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.APPLY NOW
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. Students receive certificates from the Academy.
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
*The agenda is subject to change as needed.
Check out session previews and previous trainee testimonials
Full-Time and Part-Time Options
Full-Time
Classes are offered every day Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Applicants from outside the Washington, D.C., area usually choose this option.
Part-Time
Classes are offered on Saturdays, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. This option is intended for applicants with jobs in the Washington, D.C., area who are unable to take a leave of absence from work.
Application Process
APPLY NOW
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. We reserve the right to ask for such a statement if we believe it will strengthen your application.
The deadline to apply for early admission is January 31, 2020. The deadline to apply for regular admission is March 31, 2020. The application fee is $45. If you are accepted and enroll in the program, the full fee will be refunded in the form of credit toward 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
Hotel accommodation: Double occupancy $1,300 | Single occupancy $2,300
The Academy is unable to provide financial aid at this time. However, applicants are encouraged to pursue outside funding sources, such as the European Union’s Erasmus+ program.
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Get in touch
If you have questions about the Summer Diplomatic Academy, send us a message using the form below or call us on +1-202-656-9828.