School of Public Affairs

School of Public Affairs
School of Public Affairs Kerwin Hall building
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Working at the Center of the Policy World

Sissy Martinez SPA/BA '21, MS '22

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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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

Discover Your Higher Purpose with SPA

Community members across American University wish the School of Public Affairs a happy 90th birthday!

AU SPA Ranked 10 in the US

Announcement ·

School of Public Affairs Again Ranked Tenth Overall in New U.S. News and World Report Rankings

The School of Public Affairs (SPA) at American University is ranked No. 10 overall among all public affairs institutions in the United States in the new U.S. News & World Report’s Public Affairs Graduate Schools rankings.
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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

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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#SPACyber: Policy Studies in Cybersecurity

#SPACyber is a practitioner informed, research driven hub of cyber curriculum, thought leadership, and engagement.

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Discover your future with AU

Six months after graduation,
AU
in
in

% of Graduates are now Working, Grad School, or Both

Top Employers
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Featured News

Thomas Zeitzoff & Grace Gold

Research ·

What Happened to the Radical Environmental Movement?

In collaboration with undergraduate Grace Gold, SPA Associate Professor Thomas Zeitzoff published an article on attitudes towards cyber tactics in eco-activism.
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Efeanyi Umunna.

Achievements ·

AU Alumna Named a Gates Cambridge Scholar

Ifeanyi Umunna, SPA/BA ’23, was awarded a fully-funded scholarship to pursue a graduate degree in criminology this fall at the University of Cambridge.
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Three hosts of the Start Here Podcast

Announcement ·

Cybersecurity Leaders Launch New Online Platform to Close Gaps in Understanding Cyber Policy

AU and its partners launch an online platform to help cybersecurity and privacy professionals, government officials, and students understand the fundamentals of key cybersecurity policy topics.
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Specialty Rankings

number 6

for International Global Policy & Administration

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

number 14

in Urban Policy

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

number 15

in Public Policy Analysis

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