School of Public Affairs

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

Discover Your Future with AU

Working, Grad School, or Both

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Featured News

Announcement · October 17

New Podcast Series, American FLOTUS, Debuts

The First Ladies Association for Research and Education and the popular podcast American POTUS launched a new podcast that focuses on US first ladies, their impact, legacies, and evolution of the role and office.
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Achievements · October 31

SPA Spotlight: Pickering Foreign Affairs Graduate Fellow Ayanna Camara (MPA, ’26)

Camara shares her path to SPA and her hopes for the future.
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Public Management and Leadership · October 24

Bureaucratic Efficiency or Democratic Participation?

SPA professor examines how the public views tradeoffs among administrative values.
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Specialty Rankings

number 12

for Public Policy Analysis

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

number 13

in Public Finance & Budgeting

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

number 22

in Urban Policy

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

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Undergraduate

Majors

Undergraduate Certificates

Graduate

Master's (On-Campus)

Master's (Online)

Doctoral (On-Campus)

Graduate Certificates (On-Campus)

Executive

Degrees (On-Campus)

Executive Certificates (On-Campus)

Sissy Martinez SPA/BA '21, MS '22

SPA is Turning 90!

Introducing Alison Jacknowitz as our Interim Dean!

Featured News