Recruitment Events
Browse our graduate recruitment events to meet SPA on campus, on the road, or through one of our virtual sessions!
Contact Us
SPA: Graduate Admissions
4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20016
United States
Your degree will prepare you to tackle today’s critical challenges
The School of Public Affairs prepares our students to be part of the next generation of experts in the fields of public administration and policy; government and the political arena; and justice, law, and criminology. Our degree programs and certificates equip you with the fundamental knowledge and competencies to craft practical solutions to real-world challenges in the government, corporate, and nonprofit sectors, nationally and internationally.
Master's Degrees (On-Campus)
There may be select courses delivered online.
MA Political Communication
Learn the essence of politics through the interplay of message content, delivery media, and audience analysis.
MA Political Science
Intellectual curiosity fuels this multidisciplinary program of exploratory, critical thinkers.
Master of Public Administration
Our program gives you the tools to meet complex public challenges with strong, capable leadership.
Master of Public Policy
This program shapes policy analysts and changemakers of the future.
MS Justice, Law & Criminology
Tackle today’s critically important challenges at the intersection of justice and law.
MS Data Science
Build your skill set in data science with this shared degree program, offered by SPA and the AU College of Arts and Sciences (CAS).
Executive Program (On-Campus)
There may be select courses delivered online.
Key Executive Leadership MPA
The latest knowledge, values, and skills that will build your personal leadership capacity.
Online Degrees
Master of Public Administration & Policy - Online
Build your foundations in policy analysis and management.
MS Counter-Terrorism and Homeland Security - Online
Influence policy in national security, law, cybersecurity, and political violence.
Doctoral Programs (On-Campus)
PhD Justice, Law & Criminology
Prepare for university teaching and research, and a career as an authority and leader in these fields.
PhD Political Science
Dive deeply into the policy and politics of official Washington and produce meaningful research with profound impact.
PhD Public Administration & Policy
Produce methodologically sound, socially relevant research that makes important contributions to knowledge and theory.
Dual Degree Programs (On-Campus)
There may be select courses delivered online.
JD and Master of Public Policy
Gain a broad grounding in public analysis, program evaluation, and policy implementation.
LLM and Master of Public Policy
Examine the integral relationship of law to public policy, administration, and management.
JD and Master of Public Administration
Examine the integral relationship of law to public administration and management.
LLM and Master of Public Administration
Ideal for attorneys who hope to innovate in the political, government, or nonprofit realms.
JD and MS Justice, Law & Criminology
Cross-disciplinary study of how law intersects with theories of justice and justice systems.
Graduate Certificates (On-Campus)
There may be select courses delivered online.
Certificate in Public Financial Management
Increase your skillset in the public finance sector with this certificate.
Graduate Certificate in Public Management
Ideal for professionals who want to advance their skillset in public management.
Certificate in Public Policy Analysis
Hone your skills in public policy analysis with this certificate.
Certificate in Women, Policy & Political Leadership
Ideal for professionals working in policy, politics, and leadership.
Certificate in Nonprofit Management
Ideal for professionals who want to advance their skillset in nonprofit management.
Certificate in Leadership for Organizational Change
Expand your skills in organizational change with this certificate.
Certificate in Analytics and Management
Created to further prepare SPA graduate students to work in and lead teams within multiple disciplines.