School of Public Affairs

School of Public Affairs
School of Public Affairs Kerwin Hall building
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Making an Impact in the World of Global IT

C'Asha Faltz, SPA/MS '21

C’Asha currently works as a data scientist with Accenture, a Virginia-based global IT consulting firm with both commercial and federal contracts. She wants to be a thought leader in her field, and eventually become an instructor herself. Prior to this job, she worked with the International Rescue Committee, helping with a refugee resettlement and job training program, and served as a full-time volunteer manager for Northern Virginia Family Services during graduate school.
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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, American University’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 ·

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

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

Graduate 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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#SPACyber: Policy Studies in Cybersecurity

#SPACyber is a practitioner informed, research driven hub of cyber curriculum, thought leadership, and engagement.

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Discover your future with AU

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

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Featured News

Jessica Waters and Madelyn Adams

Research ·

Fetal Personhood and Advance Healthcare Directives

SPA professor and graduate student expose unseen legal and health consequences of recent attacks on reproductive rights.
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2024 commencement speakers: David M. Rubenstein, Michael S. Barr, Kwame Alexander, Caroline Aaron, British Robinson, Sherrilyn Ifill

Announcement ·

David Rubenstein, Kwame Alexander, Caroline Aaron to Send Eagles Soaring into Their Next Chapter at American University’s 2024 Spring Commencement

American University is proud to host a dynamic series of commencement speakers to celebrate the next generation of American University graduates this spring. The speakers include a financier, an author and other changemakers.
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Mercedes Subhani

Alumni ·

Why Cyber?

First-generation alumna Mercedes Subhani (SPA, CLEG, `20) revisits her path to the cybersecurity field.
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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