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(202) 885-2940

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AU School of Public Affairs 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW Washington, DC 20016 United States

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Public Administration: Key Executive Leadership (MPA)

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Working at the Center of the Policy World

Sissy Martinez SPA/BA '21, MS '22

MS Terrorism & Homeland Security Policy

During a transformative AU study abroad experience in Brussels, a rigorous program involving travel to Ukraine and Bosnia and an internship at the Institute for Economics and Peace, Martinez developed a fascination with European politics. Eventually, her AU skills and experiences led to a job as a project coordinator and research assistant with the Europe, Russia, and Eurasia team at the D.C. think tank the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
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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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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

Announcement · April 9

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

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Featured News

Department Spotlight · March 28

5 Questions with Jordan Matsudaira

Professor Joins SPA Faculty from the U.S. Department of Education
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In the Community · March 19

Honoring Those Who Came before Us

Female faculty members from each of AU’s schools and colleges talk the women who have helped them along the way
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Alumni · March 28

“Try Everything”: How One SPA Masters Student Kicked Off Not Just Any Career, But the Right One

Fatima Torres (SPA, MA`24) leveraged a prestigious internship at The Lab @ DC into a full-time job in civic design.
Full Story

Specialty Rankings

number 12

for Public Policy Analysis

by U.S. News & World Report's 2025 Public Affairs Graduate Schools Rankings

number 13

in Public Finance & Budgeting

by U.S. News & World Report's 2025 Public Affairs Graduate Schools Rankings

number 22

in Urban Policy

by U.S. News & World Report's 2025 Public Affairs Graduate Schools Rankings