School Of Public Affairs | American University

Students in the MPP program gain insights from leading policy scholars in education, health, social welfare, the environment, and international development. You’ll learn how to create and evaluate public policy and effectively share that analysis with stakeholders. Our students explore policy analysis in the context of political and policy processes in the U.S. and abroad. They learn to improve policy using sound evidence and evaluations of costs and benefits. Small class sizes help students learn about cutting-edge research tools and apply them to issue areas that matter. Our MPP program will set you up for success in a competitive marketplace. Graduates emerge from…

Our STEM-designated MPP track prepares graduates to meet the growing demand from employers for policy professionals skilled in managing big data and knowledge of advanced quantitative methods to assess policy effectiveness. The program features additional coursework in advanced quantitative methods, program evaluation, project management, and cost-benefit analysis. STEM designation allows non-U.S. nationals to qualify for a 24-month Optional Practical Training (OPT) extension, providing up to three years of work authorization in the U.S. without requiring employer sponsorship. Our MPP program will set you up for success in a competitive marketplace. Graduates emerge from the program ready to bring about policy change…

The Master of Arts in Political Communication is a joint degree program between the School of Public Affairs and the School of Communication. It combines expertise and scholarship to develop a thorough grounding in political science, strategic communication, research, and media. The interdisciplinary degree prepares you to navigate the fast-changing landscape of politics and communication-our students gain the knowledge, skills, and ethical grounding to be successful as political advocates, policy-makers, communication professionals, and campaign executives. If you're seeking to build a strong background in research skills, a broad knowledge of political issues, a deep understanding of how the political process and media work,…

This degree equips you with the kind of critical thinking skills imperative to dissecting systems of government and analyzing political activity and behavior. Our students learn the art of policymaking along with the theory and practice of politics within different political systems. Our dedicated faculty help you explore the interaction between domestic and foreign policy and problems relating to urban and rural development in emerging nations, as well as democratization and political change. What’s more, you’ll have opportunities to research how the American political system influences public policy and political behavior. Our rich academic curriculum and unparalleled ability to connect…

The Master of Science in Justice, Law & Criminology at AU’s School of Public Affairs encourages you to examine the theories behind foundational institutions of justice and the rule of law. You will focus on the practical, academic, and strategic areas of law, criminology, criminal justice, and security. This degree blends the work of scholars from many disciplines, including the social sciences, law, and the humanities, which allows our students to gain a holistic understanding of issues and institutions. You will join a cohort of exceptional students from various academic backgrounds and build relationships with other passionate individuals to facilitate…

The Master of Science in Terrorism & Homeland Security Policy (THSP) at AU’s School of Public Affairs will train you to tackle the problems of terrorism and other threats that endanger the security of the United States. You’ll approach security issues informed by social science, with attention to the perspectives of criminology and criminal justice. Our program emphasizes development of strategic, policy-based security solutions at federal, state, and local levels of government. If you are seeking a program that will provide you with the skills to join the next generation of experts in national security and terrorism research and analysis, you’ll…

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. You’ll gain the analytical expertise and creative problem-solving skills necessary to succeed across multiple industries, academia, and government.