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Briana Woodard, SPA/MS '19

MS Justice, Law & Criminology

Briana Woodard, SPA/MS ’19, has always wanted to work for the federal government. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in sociology and criminal justice, she enrolled in SPA to study justice and public policy.

On Campus · May 11

Stacey Abrams Speaks to the SPA Class of 2019 About the Power of Belief

Stacey Abrams, who shattered the glass ceiling with her 2018 run for governor of Georgia, received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from American University today and spoke at the commencement of the AU School of Public Affairs.
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Announcement · March 12

School of Public Affairs at AU Jumps in National Ranking in U.S. News & World Report Survey

Four specialties receive first-time recognition; three specialties jump in ranking
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Videos

Former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort’s conviction on charges related to his foreign lobbying has drawn attention to the fact that the Department of Justice has not been aggressive enough in enforcing the law covering foreign lobbyists.

SPA Distinguished Professor James Thurber talks about the consequences of not enforcing the law and why it needs an upgrade.

number 14 among 285 public affairs schools

by U.S. News & World Report's 2020 Public Affairs Graduate School Rankings

number 3 for Public Management and Leadership, up from #6

by U.S. News & World Report's 2020 Public Affairs Graduate Schools Rankings

number 5 for International Global Policy & Administration

by U.S. News & World Report's 2020 Public Affairs Graduate School Rankings

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Achievements · April 25

Retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Gade Joins SPA Faculty

An extraordinary résumé of service, sacrifice, and resilience accompanies Daniel Gade, a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel and former White House veterans-affairs advocate whose work as a Professor of Practice at SPA began this semester.
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Professional News · May 21

How National Security Agencies are Recruiting Employees in Challenging Times

During an event hosted at the National Law Enforcement Museum in Washington, D.C. by AU SPA Key Executive Program and Guidehouse last winter, experts from law enforcement agencies gathered to talk about recruiting challenges and opportunities.
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Achievements · May 23

New Justice Report Recommends Accelerating the Pace of Reform

American University School of Public Affairs (SPA) and its Justice Programs Office released a report with recommendations from experts to transform the system into one that is more just and fair.
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