The Global Environmental Policy program helps you understand causes of environmental harm and identify ways to build a more sustainable world. Particular areas of program focus include climate change, sustainable energy, water, food and agriculture, environment and development, peacebuilding, and urban design and sustainability.

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For more than 40 years, the International Development program has trained students to participate effectively in driving socio-economic, political, and environmental change throughout the world. The program's primary focus is improving opportunities for the world's poor and disenfranchised. It has one of the largest concentrations of faculty both teaching and researching international development and has approximately 1,200 alumni in development-related positions around the world.

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Natural Resources and Sustainable Development is a dual master’s degree in which you will receive degrees from both American University and the United Nations-affiliated University for Peace in Costa Rica, where you’ll spend your second and third semesters. American University offers international relations and environmental politics studies and unique exposure to Washington, DC, policy institutions and NGOs, while the University for Peace provides practical experience in sustainable development. Courses are taught in English, with mandatory free Spanish instruction provided for one year.

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Development Management is for those who have at least two years' prior field experience and a strong applied and practical focus. You'll work on development projects and programs, capacity building, organization or institution building, NGO management, or monitoring and evaluation in developing countries or among disadvantaged communities abroad. You can use the elective concentration courses, such as gender and development, environment and development, or social entrepreneurship, to focus on a sector of your choice or to deepen your management skills.

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Many of the most profound challenges facing humanity relate to the environment, health, or the intersection of the two. Climate change and species extinction currently undermine the quality of life for many and threaten to compromise the fundamental, organic infrastructure that supports all life on earth. Infectious diseases like HIV and malaria remain a major cause of death in poorer countries, while chronic diseases, once most apparent in richer countries, are becoming increasingly prevalent around the world. Many of the most profound challenges facing humanity relate to the environment, health, or the intersection of the two. Climate change, global pandemics, species extinction, food insecurity, and water insecurity currently undermine the quality of life for many and threaten to compromise the fundamental, organic infrastructure that supports all life on earth. Infectious diseases like COVID-19, malaria, Ebola, and HIV remain a major cause of illness and death, while chronic diseases, once most apparent in richer countries, are increasingly prevalent around the world. Meanwhile, environmental toxins, air and water pollution, and soil degradation compromise the health and well-being of people everywhere. Not only do ecological issues have the potential to impact public health, but decisions made by communities and the private and public sectors—from transportation to agriculture to healthcare—influence ecosystem functions. The Environmental Sustainability and Global Health Thematic Area introduces students to the socio-political dynamics of global health and environmental affairs. Students explore the multiple causes and consequences of environmental harm and ill health and work to understand the mechanisms of governance best able to respond. Cutting across both issues are the fundamental injustices and inequalities between people as well as between countries. Ultimately, students develop the intellectual, theoretical, scientific, and applied tools needed to simultaneously work towards a safer, healthier, more sustainable, and more equitable world.

Gateway Course

SISU 250 Environmental Sustainability and Global Health (multiple sections available)

Thematic Area Courses

*Course offerings vary by semester. Alternative and/or additional options may be available.

• SISU 349 Global Health Interventions
• SISU 349 Politics of Population
• SISU 349 Climate Resilient Cities
• SISU 350 The Politics of Water
• SISU 350 Pandemics, Ethics, and the Public Health Response
• SISU 350 BioEthics
• SISU 352 Environmental Politics of Asia
• SISU 358 Global Health
• SISU 359 Environment, Conflict, and Peace

The Global Inequality and Development Thematic Area directly addresses issues concerning the theory and practice of achieving equitable and sustainable human development. Courses will encompass a broad examination of issues related to poverty and inequality as they intersect with urban and rural geographies, the built and natural environment, food systems, conflict, education, gender, youth and development, and possibilities for bilateral and multilateral cooperation. This area will include historical analysis of the field of development studies from colonialism through the present with a focus on understanding and analyzing conflicts, shared goals, and normative values embedded in development objectives. Students will become equipped to understand and analyze the multiple causes and consequences of development and inequality, and will become better equipped to understand the mechanisms of governance best able to respond to these challenges.

Gateway Course

SISU 240 International Development (multiple sections available)

Thematic Area Courses

*Course offerings vary by semester. Alternative and/or additional options may be available.

• SISU 340 Urbanization in Africa
• SISU 340 Bureaucracy and Inequality
• SISU 340 The Modern African Metropolis
• SISU 340 Migration and Development
• SISU 348 Gender and Development
• SISU 349 Politics of Population
• SISU 349 Global Health Interventions
• SISU 349 Climate Resilient Cities

Expand your skills and broaden your professional knowledge with a graduate certificate in Environment, Peace, and Conflict Resolution. This certificate equips students with the knowledge and skills to address a growing set of challenges at the intersection of environmental change, natural resource management, violent conflict, and the mediation and resolution of conflict. Students completing the program are conversant with leading theories of the links between environmental change and violent conflict, and understand and are able to deploy strategies for environmental peacemaking, peacebuilding and conflict resolution.

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Prepare yourself for work in the humanitarian sector by becoming equipped with foundational understanding of the humanitarian field and acquiring relevant professional skills and methods. Engage with current scholarly, policy, and ethical debates to grow your understanding. Open to students currently enrolled in an AU graduate degree program and students with a bachelor’s degree or equivalent from an accredited institution. Students must complete a curricular and a co-curricular component.

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Expand your skills and knowledge–and broaden your professional network–with a graduate certificate in Social Innovation for Global Impact. The certificate blends entrepreneurship and innovation with social activism and a global perspective so you can work across sectors to address old problems in new ways. You can apply up to 12 certificate credits toward a graduate degree program at SIS.

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