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Alum Receives Critical Acclaim for Debut Novel

Lara Prescott, SPA/BA '04

During her time at American University's School of Public Affairs, Lara Prescott, SPA/BA ’04, knew she wanted to be a writer. After years of working on political campaigns after graduation, she took a risk, quit her “day job” and devoted herself to blending her love of politics with her love of writing fiction. Flash forward to the present day and her new book, The Secrets We Kept, has sold for $2 million at auction and has been optioned to be made into a movie.

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What Does the U.S. Economy Need Right Now?

The COVID-19 pandemic has surfaced income disparities in the U.S. economy, leading to critical decisions made by the President and lawmakers both federally and locally. SPA Associate Professor Bradley Hardy states what has already been done for Americans during the U.S. economic shutdown due to COVID-19, recommends what the U.S. government should do next, and uncovers the consequences the U.S. economy might endure in the aftermath of this national emergency.

AU SPA ranked #13 out of 276 schools of public affairs

Announcement ·

American University’s School of Public Affairs Receives High Recognition in New U.S. News & World Report Rankings

AU SPA Receives High Recognition in U.S. News & World Report's 2021 Public Affairs Graduate Schools rankings
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Coronavirus cell

SPA on COVID-19

School of Public Affairs faculty, students, and alumni are tackling issues brought on by the novel coronavirus.

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Front of Kerwin Hall

Graduate Recruitment Events

Browse our graduate recruitment events to meet SPA on campus, on the road, or through one of our virtual sessions!

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#FallforSPA

Fall for SPA

Information for students about SPA's Fall 2020 semester

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Discover your future with AU

Six months after graduation,
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% of Graduates are now Working, Grad School, or Both

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Philadelphia fishtown district

Research ·

Housing and Policing Practices Have an Impact on Overdose Mortality in Philadelphia

SPA Assistant Professor Lallen Johnson and graduate student Tayler Shreve (SPA/PhD ’23) analyzed the variations in fatalities of drug overdose mortality rate across neighborhoods and found housing conditions and policing patterns played a role.
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Philadelphia skyline

Announcement ·

Abandoned Buildings, Fear of Calling Police Contribute to High Rate of Fatal Overdoses in Philadelphia, New Study Shows

A new SPA study reveals a relationship between overdose mortality and the conditions of neighborhoods in Philadelphia.
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Police officer speaks into walkie talkie with police car in background.

Research ·

A Look at How Police Respond to Same-Sex Partner Violence Calls in Wake of Cultural Change

SPA Professor Lynn Addington received a grant to explore police response to same-sex intimate partner violence (IPV) and consider the link between  public opinion, policy, and the arrest patterns in these cases.
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number 13 among 276 public affairs schools

by U.S. News & World Report's 2021 Public Affairs Graduate School Rankings

number 4 for Public Management and Leadership

by U.S. News & World Report's 2021 Public Affairs Graduate Schools Rankings

number 4 for International Global Policy & Administration

by U.S. News & World Report's 2021 Public Affairs Graduate School Rankings