School of Public Affairs

School of Public Affairs
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Sissy Martinez

Sissy Martinez, SPA/ BA ’21, MS ’22, has always loved Washington, D.C. Every time she visited, from her small town in New York, she felt like the city was at the center of everything. When the time came to choose a college, this student of history and government considered American University to be the obvious choice. She liked the feel of the AU campus and how inspired everyone seemed to be about their work.

“In D.C., the exposure to internships was truly unmatched,” said Martinez, who took advantage of a variety of professional opportunities as a student. Her early interest in American politics led to positions on Capitol Hill and on a campaign, which redirected her path. “Getting to know what you don’t want is equally as important as discovering what you do want,” Martinez said.


Kerwin Hall 1930

SPA is Turning 90!

2024 marks the 90th anniversary for the School of Public Affairs. We've compiled a look back at our 90 year history. For the past nine decades, American University’s School of Public Affairs has been a leader in public affairs education

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Alison Jacknowitz

Introducing Alison Jacknowitz as our Interim Dean!

We are pleased she will lead our school in the 2023-24 academic year.

Message from the Dean

US News Rankings

Announcement ·

American University’s School of Public Affairs Ranked No. 13 Overall, Highest in D.C., by U.S. News and World Report

According to the 2025 edition of U.S. News and World Report’s rankings of Public Affairs Graduate Schools, the AU SPA continues to earn high marks.
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SPA Highlights

Event Dispatches

Dispatches

SPA shares insider information on the world of public affairs, from choosing and applying to the right program for you, to courses, careers, and the culture.

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Front of Kerwin Hall

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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PEER

The Postsecondary Equity & Economics Research (PEER) Center is an initiative focused on promoting more equitable outcomes in higher education.

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Discover Your Future with AU

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

Top Employers
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Featured News

Edozie Umunna, SPA/BA ’24. Photo courtesy of Umunna.

Achievements ·

SPA Alumnus Lands AU’s First-Ever Schwarzman Scholarship

Edozie Umunna, SPA/BA ’24, will earn a master’s at Tsinghua University in Beijing through a program designed to foster closer relations between China and the US.
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A collage of three AU Sweetheart couples

Alumni ·

Eagles in Love: Get to Know Three More AU Sweetheart Couples

Introducing the AU Sweetheart Questionnaire, featuring some quick questions with a trio of Eagle couples who found love through AU. 
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Seth Gershenson

Public Management and Leadership ·

The Teacher Down the Hall

SPA professor examines the impact of types of teacher experience and peer characteristics on educational outcomes by race.
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Specialty Rankings

number 12

for Public Policy Analysis

by U.S. News & World Report's 2024 Public Affairs Graduate Schools Rankings

number 13

in Public Finance & Budgeting

by U.S. News & World Report's 2024 Public Affairs Graduate Schools Rankings

number 22

in Urban Policy

by U.S. News & World Report's 2024 Public Affairs Graduate Schools Rankings