Academic Fields and Programs

Graduate Programs

SIS offers both Ph.D. and Master's programs. The Ph.D. in International Relations program is designed to prepare graduates for careers in university teaching and research. The curriculum combines core offerings in international relations theory, comparative politics, and methodology with a structure that allows students considerable flexibility. Major emphasis is placed on research; in addition to the dissertation, students are encouraged to to present conference papers, engage in collaborative work with faculty, and submit articles to refereed journals.

The SIS Master's program, together with the many co-curricular opportunities the School offers, provides key links between theory and practice. The program, with its eight major fields of study, equips graduates with the competence and skills necessary for professional careers in today's increasingly complex and globalized environment. The SIS experience includes the depth necessary for intellectual and skills development and the flexibility students need to shape their studies precisely to fit their professional objectives. Each field includes theory, economics, social science research methods, and resources and opportunities for experiential learning. Further, students construct their concentration by choosing a set of courses from one of the School's fields or by designing a uniquely tailored field to meet their needs.

Undergraduate Programs

Undergraduates at the School of International Service have two challenging programs to choose between -- the social sciences-based Bachelor of Arts in International Studies and the humanities-based Bachelor of Arts in Language and Area Studies. Both degrees include a variety of multidisciplinary course offerings. This page has general information about the undergraduate programs.

BA in International Studies

The BA in International Studies is a 63-64 credit program that allows students to gain a broad background as well as developing specialized expertise in elective areas. For a complete description of the required and elective courses, visit the International Studies Web page.

BA in Language and Area Studies

The BA in Language and Area Studies is a 51-credit hour program jointly administered by SIS and AU's College of Arts and Sciences. The languages and regions included in this major are French/Europe, German/Europe, Russian/Area Studies, or Spanish/Latin America. This program also allows students to pursue challening elective courses while completing required courses that give the student a solid foundation. Complete course requirements are available on the Language and Area Studies Web page.

 

Pre-College Programs

The Washington Community of Scholars at American University is an exclusive opportunity for outstanding high school students to enhance their preparation for college and a professional career. We offer for-credit college courses designed for pre-college students to maximize your learning experience in small interactive seminars. Find out more.


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