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Enrichment

American University School of Public Affairs offers a diverse range of opportunities to help students enrich the community, develop leadership skills, and grow a network of colleagues and friends.

SPA Analytics and Management Institute

SAMI courses – 2-day, weekend-only, 0 or 1 credit courses – are opportunities for students to engage with leading academic and professional experts and develop cutting-edge skills critical to policy experts. 

Explore SAMI

Professional Development Series

The Professional Development Series at the School of Public Affairs is designed to provide workshops to help our graduate students prepare for their careers. Held on Saturdays throughout the academic year, workshops focus on the skills central to success in seeking and landing internships and jobs.

Advance

Graduate Student Organizations

Grow your skills as a leader, team member, and public servant by becoming involved with one of SPA or AU's graduate student organizations!

Connect

SPA Graduate students are invited to sign up to participate in the peer-to-peer mentoring program. The program’s objective is to provide new graduate students with guidance and support during the transition to graduate school. Before each semester, continuing student mentors are matched with incoming students to provide peer support, build relationships, and make new friends! Sign up after you register for .

SPA faculty host several opportunities to flex your classroom skills while studying outside of the United States. Learn more about how you can take your SPA classroom on the road to Brussels, Egypt, or somewhere in between!

Stay connected with what’s happening around SPA and campus by subscribing to the:

  • SPA Graduate Student Listserv,
  • Monday morning SPA Digest, and
  • SPA Graduate Student Central, a closed Canvas group built to make it easy to find campus resources.

Email spagradaffairs@american.edu for access!

SPA is proud to call American University home and encourages students to take advantage of the many campus-wide resources available to graduate students:

  •  houses all student services related to your student account, financial aid needs, etc.

  •  is your link to , graduate student services, and academic information.
  • °Őłó±đĚý offers free and confidential mental heath services for graduate students, including Victim Advocacy Services.
  •  (CTRL) provides support related to teaching and scholarship. Find podcasts, recorded workshops, and syllabus guides.
  • °Őłó±đĚý helps connect students with all campus resources needed to support your time at AU:
    •  is supported by the Office of the Dean of Students and extends a holistic set of supports focused on student physical, intellectual, and spiritual health.
    •  provide the opportunity for AU students to engage on a range of identity topics each semester.
  •  provides specific support to incoming and current non-US students.
  •  offers routine health appointments, COVID testing, and more.
  • AU Kitchen offers a variety of voluntary meal plans open to graduate students.
  • The Market provides free groceries and limited personal-care items to all students in need. 

Questions?

Reach out to spagradaffairs@american.edu to learn more about how you can get involved with the SPA Community!