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

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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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

The School of Public Affairs at American University is home to leading scholars in the fields of American politics, comparative politics, public administration, public policy, justice law and criminology, data science, and terrorism and homeland security. Come to a place where the faculty, staff, and other students are all committed to helping you reach your higher purpose.

Virtual Tour

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

DC Skyline

SPA 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 practioner 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

Cover of the textbook on American First Ladies

Announcement ·

Making History and Leaving Legacies: First Textbook on U.S. First Ladies Now Available to Educators

The nation’s first textbook focusing on the transformational legacies of the wives of America’s Presidents is now available to college level students and educators across the United States.
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Shuwanza Goff

Alumni ·

SPA Alumna Shuwanza Goff Named White House Director of Legislative Affairs

Goff (MS, '08) a ‘trusted voice on both sides of the aisle,’ said President Biden.
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Thomas Zeitzoff

Research ·

Nasty Politics

New book by SPA professor considers the logic behind political insults and incitements to violence.
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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