School of Public Affairs

School of Public Affairs
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Contact Us

(202) 885-2940

spa@american.edu

Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ School of Public Affairs 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW Washington, DC 20016 United States

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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 Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ 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 Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ 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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Kerwin Hall 1930

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, Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ’s School of Public Affairs has been a leader in public affairs education

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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

US News Rankings

Announcement ·

Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ’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 Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ SPA continues to earn high marks.
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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

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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SPA Explains The 2024 Election

A compilation of events, scholarship, and videos from SPA Faculty surrounding the 2024 US Presidential Election.

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Discover Your Future with Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ

Six months after graduation,
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% of Graduates are now Working, Grad School, or Both

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Featured News

A person is measuring his belly circumference

Announcement ·

Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Receives NIH Award to Study Effectiveness of Anti-Obesity Programs

Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ SPA professor receives NIH award to study the effects of federal funding on the efforts to reduce obesity and obesity-related health conditions in the U.S.
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Purchasing decisions were central to the planning of the new Meltzer Center. Earlier this year, Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ broke ground on the center, which will be the first net-zero university building in the region. Rendering courtesy Perkins Eastman /Rust Orling Architects.

Research ·

New Research Project Launched at Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Aims to Further Improve Sustainability

A new research project underway at Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ aims to find ways that Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ’s employees can make greener choices in purchasing.
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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