American University, College Of Arts & Sciences
Washington, Dc, United States of America
About
Our graduates proudly go out into the world as critical thinkers and problem solvers.
American University's College of Arts and Sciences offers a world-class education that prepares students for lives of leadership and purpose. As part of an R1-designated university—recognized for the highest level of research activity—our graduate programs combine rigorous academics with real-world engagement.
Located in Washington, DC, the College provides unmatched access to leading research centers, global organizations, policymakers, and cultural institutions that connect our students directly to the industries and issues shaping our world.
With more than 50 graduate degrees and certificates across 19 departments, students pursue innovative research and applied learning across the humanities, arts, social sciences, and sciences. Our nationally known faculty are dedicated mentors who involve students in hands-on, meaningful scholarship. Learning extends into state-of-the-art facilities like the Hall of Science and Katzen Arts Center—and into the community through fieldwork, creative practice, and internships with institutions such as NASA, the Smithsonian, and the World Bank.
Why CAS?
• On campus and online options
• Rolling admission
• 50+ graduate degrees and certificates across the humanities, arts, social sciences, and sciences
• Flexibility to complete at your own pace
• Merit scholarships and financial aid available
• Vast faculty and alumni network to facilitate career connections
Meet this school
Programs
Art History, MA
Cutting-Edge Art History Scholarship
The MA in Art History provides advanced historical study in European and American art from the early Renaissance through the present, as well as Asian and other non-Western art, to prepare you for a doctoral program, curatorial position, or one of many other museum-related careers. You will develop an understanding of art historical methods and research practices while building skills in critical thinking, visual analysis, research, and written and verbal communication about art. Our program exposes students to innovative approaches to art history to foster a broad understanding of the discipline and its wide-ranging applications.
In…
Artificial Intelligence, MS
In American University's Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence, you'll develop the mathematical and computational expertise to design, build, and evaluate next-generation AI systems. Whether your goal is an AI career or doctoral study, you'll move beyond using AI tools to understanding—and creating—them.
As artificial intelligence transforms nearly every industry, organizations need professionals who understand not only how AI works, but how to develop systems that are reliable, responsible, and ready for real-world challenges. Our interdisciplinary program combines computer science, mathematics, statistics, and responsible AI to prepare graduates to design, evaluate, and improve intelligent systems.
Arts Management, MA
Make art work: Arts Management is the professional practice that helps artists share their voice, audiences find their bliss, organizations build their funding, and communities thrive as creative places.
Our master's degree and graduate certificates in Arts Management will give you the skills, experience, connections, and community you need for a successful career in the business of arts and culture.
Audio Technology, MA
The MA in Audio Technology (ATEC) at American University focuses on the art and science of music technology to prepare you for success in careers across the industry.
You’ll explore the areas that interest you most, from sound design to music production. You will work alongside nationally recognized audio engineers and faculty with industry expertise, gaining the practical experience that top recording studios and production facilities are looking for. And you’ll get hands-on experience through internships and job opportunities in Washington, DC, and beyond.
Computer Science, MS
Join our results-focused MS program and develop the credentials employers want in one of the world's top markets for tech talent.
Our program trains students of diverse backgrounds — computer science majors and those pivoting into the field — through a common core curriculum and specializations in applied computer science, cybersecurity, game and computational media, or data science. Students may receive funding as research assistants working with professors or in other university roles.
Creative Writing, MFA
Hone Your Craft in the Capital City
For more than 40 years, American University’s MFA program has fostered emerging writers wishing to study in our capital city’s only MFA program. Against a backdrop of international culture, scientific innovation, global development, and world-class urbanity, writers will develop their craft and voice with some of the most talented faculty publishing today. Our graduate workshops provide a rigorous and supportive environment where students explore a range of approaches to the art and craft of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry.
As an MFA student at American, you are free to pursue a single genre or…
Data Science, Online MS
Build a Successful Career in Data Science
In today’s data-driven world, every industry needs experienced data scientists to answer questions, drive strategy, and solve problems. Glassdoor ranks data scientist as one of the top three Best Jobs, and the field is expected to grow more than 35% from 2022-32 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Our degree will give you the expertise that employers want right now: a deep understanding of complex data, cutting-edge technical skills, strong communication and teamwork skills, and the ability to create data science-enabled solutions to real-life problems.
No technical background or GRE required. American…
Data Science, MS
In today’s data-driven world, organizations of all types are using data to drive strategy, make critical decisions, and solve problems. Data scientists are in great demand—Glassdoor ranks data scientist as one of the top three Best Jobs, and the field is expected to grow more than 35 percent over the next decade.
American University’s MS in Data Science is designed to produce the next generation of leaders in this hot field. In as little as 18 months, in person or online, you’ll gain the analytical expertise and creative problem-solving skills necessary to succeed across multiple industries, academia, and government.
Economics, MS
With AU's Economics MS you will work to resolve society’s most important challenges. Our scholars create gender-aware macroeconomic toolkits, recommend tax policies to reduce income inequality, illuminate caregivers' socioeconomic contributions, improve health outcomes — and so much more.
Our engagement-oriented MS offers six specializations to fit your interests and goals: Applied Economics (on campus or online), Data Science (on-campus or online), Development Economics, Financial Economics, Gender Analysis, and International Economics.
Environmental Science, MS
Contribute to a sustainable future and confront pressing ecological challenges with an environmental science career launched in DC, international hub of environmental research, advocacy, and policy.
Integrating rigorous science with practitioner tactics, American University's MS program bridges the politics, methods, and economics of environmental concerns, so you can transform research into tangible results.
Ethics, Peace, and Human Rights, MA
Create Ethical International Policy
Combining the study of ethics and international policy, American University's MA in Ethics, Peace, and Human Rights (EPHR) will prepare you to be a responsible leader. The program is jointly administered by the Department of Philosophy and Religion in the College of Arts and Sciences and the School for International Service to offer an ethical response to some of the world's most pressing problems.
This interdisciplinary program will train you in the practical application of ethical theory and policy analysis to complex issues in global affairs. You will build a strong foundation in international relations, moral…
Game Design, MA
Design Games with Impact
As the only program of its kind in the United States, the Master of Arts in Game Design drives students to stretch their capacities as designers, developers, consumers, and game administrators and apply that to their unique field of interest. Students bring to the program their own experiences—whether in politics, science, art, history, marketing, or international studies—and can choose from multidisciplinary courses across our schools of communication, business, and arts.
Bring your creativity into play. Through game design theory, development, and design, our students bring about behavior change, expand awareness, and make a difference. Students leave…
Health Promotion, MS
Take the next step in your career with a Master of Science in Health Promotion and help guide individuals, organizations, and communities to live healthier lifestyles. By blending business, science, and the art of health promotion, this program equips you for today’s workforce by developing managerial skills combined with broad health knowledge and innovative practical applications.
Led by renowned faculty who integrate the latest research and best practices into coursework, our program stands out for its academically rigorous and time-tested curriculum. Engage directly with faculty and gain hands-on experience through internships, class assignments, and community projects that prepare you to…
Health Promotion, MS
Take the next step in your career with a Master of Science in Health Promotion and help guide individuals, organizations, and communities to live healthier lifestyles. By blending business, science, and the art of health promotion, this program equips you for today’s workforce by developing managerial skills combined with broad health knowledge and innovative practical applications.
Led by renowned faculty who integrate the latest research and best practices into coursework, our program stands out for its academically rigorous and time-tested curriculum. Engage directly with faculty and gain hands-on experience through internships, class assignments, and community projects that prepare you to…
Health Promotion, MS
Take the next step in your career with a Master of Science in Health Promotion and help guide individuals, organizations, and communities to live healthier lifestyles. By blending business, science, and the art of health promotion, this program equips you for today’s workforce by developing managerial skills combined with broad health knowledge and innovative practical applications.
Led by renowned faculty who integrate the latest research and best practices into coursework, our program stands out for its academically rigorous and time-tested curriculum. Engage directly with faculty and gain hands-on experience through internships, class assignments, and community projects that prepare you to…
History, MA
The Master of Arts in History will prepare you to pursue a doctorate or a career in education, public service, and many other fields. In this program, you will develop a deeper understanding of how historians investigate and interpret the past while you explore the past with your own original research. In producing your own scholarship, you will sharpen your analytical skills, hone your research interests, and refine your writing and interpretation skills.
Our program is ideal for students interested in American or modern European history. However, the program also provides room for flexibility, allowing you to broaden your study,…
Literature, Culture, and Technology, MA
The Master of Arts in Literature, Culture, and Technology will teach you how the deep study of literature, culture, and ideas interfaces with the increasingly digital professional world. You will develop the intellectual, emotional, technical, and social aptitudes necessary in the twenty-first century workplace in seminars that emphasize the careful analysis of texts and theories. You will graduate with a personalized portfolio and a command of tools and methods drawn from the fields of literary studies, media and cultural studies, writing studies, computer science, data science, and game design.
Nutrition Education
Do you love learning about nutrition? Are you eager to share your passion with other individuals and your community? AU’s online Master of Science (MS) in Nutrition Education offers a unique dual focus ensuring you graduate with sound nutrition knowledge coupled with practical behavior change theories. You will dive deep into the science of nutrition—macronutrients, vitamins and minerals, lifecycle nutrition—and use behavior change strategies and program design to support better nutrition choices.
Choose the best master's for students seeking an education-focused program over a clinical path—all in an accessible, on-your-schedule learning community.
Philosophy, MA
The MA in Philosophy offers rigorous academic training focused on engagement with primary texts while providing opportunities to put that training to work, both in and out of the classroom. In our program, you will apply philosophy to important issues concerning biomedicine, environmental protection, human rights, media, business, and race relations. You will leave the program prepared for doctoral study, law school, or the pursuit of other career goals.
Our program emphasizes flexibility and faculty mentorship with the goal of helping you develop a program tailored to your goals. We offer three specializations:
Global Philosophy, Religion, and Culture
History of…
Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Certificate
The key feature of the Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Program at American University is flexibility. Whether you are building the bridge between your undergraduate studies and medical school, or want to make a mid-career shift, we will meet you where you are and provide you with the specific credentials you need to achieve your goals. The curriculum will be tailored to you, allowing you to take the exact classes required to apply to your advanced degree of interest, and skip those that you’ve already taken, or won’t need.
Get access to every course required to apply for medical school. And if you…
Psycology, MA
The MA in Psychology will prepare you for a career in research, a career in an applied field or to enter a doctoral program in Psychology or a related field. We provide rigorous training to ensure you receive an advanced education in Psychology, research methods and skills, and relevant and effective pre-doctoral training.
Whatever your goals, our program provides the flexibility to ensure that you earn the MA that is right for you. You can pursue thesis or non-thesis options for your degree and choose from two tracks of specialization: psychological science track and clinical science track. Together with your…
Public Anthropology, MA
In American University’s Master of Arts in Public Anthropology program, you will explore culture, power, and history in everyday life while sharpening your skills in critical inquiry, problem solving, and public communication. Theory, practice, and social justice are at the core of our curriculum. In your coursework and your independent research, you will explore today’s pressing issues, such as healthcare justice, educational equality, militarization, debt resistance, structural violence and migration, gender and sexuality rights, and environmental justice.
Anthropology is about people, and our students are passionate about people, history, culture, and the world around them. They want their work to…
Public Health Innovation and Practice
How do you jump start your career in public health? The MA in Public Health Innovation and Practice (PHIP) at renowned American University will equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to tackle contemporary public health challenges.
This program emphasizes advanced scientific approaches to health policy, health advocacy, and public health program design, preparing you to become a leader in program design. With health equity, human-centered design, and a practitioner's mindset built into this program’s DNA, you gain the knowledge and skills that today’s healthcare employers prioritize.
Public History, MA
A Hands-On Approach to History
The Master of Arts in History with a Concentration in Public History opens the door to careers in museums, cultural tourism, community history, historic preservation, cultural resource management, libraries, archives, new media, and many other professional fields. In this program, students explore how audiences understand the past while developing research and interpretive skills to enrich the public's understanding of history. Students learn the best practices in public history and develop expertise in their chosen historical field, learning how professional historians conduct scholarly analysis. Students graduate with a record of original research and a command of…
Sociology, MA
Research Skills to Improve Society
The Master of Arts in Sociology Research and Practice will prepare you for a doctoral program or a career in social advocacy, research, teaching, human services, or policy-making. In this program, you will learn methods of doing research on health and society; engage in a research project focused on issues in Washington, DC; build your qualitative and quantitative data analysis capacity; and hone your ability to present results of research to various audiences.
Our students immerse themselves in research focusing on the social determinants of health—particularly related to social inequities of race/ethnicity, social class, gender…
Statistics, MS
Study StatisticsIn the Capital of Data & Analysis
American University’s Master of Science in Statistics is an excellent way to further your quantitative education, learn modern statistical methods, and gain professional skills for a broad variety of careers in industry, government, and emerging data-driven fields such as artificial intelligence and machine learning. The program also prepares students for doctoral study or for advancing their careers through deeper analytical expertise.
In this program, students develop proficiency in the theory, development, research, and application of statistical tools to turn data and ideas into intelligent, informed actions. Core coursework emphasizes probability, statistical inference,…
Statistics, MS
Study StatisticsIn the Capital of Data & Analysis
American University’s Master of Science in Statistics is an excellent way to further your quantitative education, learn modern statistical methods, and gain professional skills for a broad variety of careers in industry, government, and emerging data-driven fields such as artificial intelligence and machine learning. The program also prepares students for doctoral study or for advancing their careers through deeper analytical expertise.
In this program, students develop proficiency in the theory, development, research, and application of statistical tools to turn data and ideas into intelligent, informed actions. Core coursework emphasizes probability, statistical inference,…
Studio Art, MFA
Student Work
Our MFA program is deliberately non-compartmentalized with an emphasis on studio practice: students are encouraged to experiment and broaden their individual practices. The MFA program is a gateway to becoming an active professional artist. Students create in private studios in the Katzen Arts Center surrounded by peers and a multivalent arts community, where they become part of a local community of artists. MFA candidates show their completed thesis work in annual group exhibitions at the AU Museum.
Mission & Values
AU's MFA in Studio Art, historically grounded in painting, is multidisciplinary and empowers artists to…
