School of Public Affairs

School of Public Affairs
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Ellis Scherer

SPA/MS '23

“At SPA I was privileged to learn from some of the most brilliant and experienced minds in public service,” says Ellis Scherer. “My professors not only provided me with all the tools necessary to thrive in my career, but also inspired my desire for success through their passion and commitment to educating the next generation of professionals.” Today, Scherer is a policy analyst at the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, where he works on broadband and spectrum policy shaping the future of U.S. connectivity, innovation, and communications security.

#12 Overall for Public Affairs

Achievements ·

American University’s School of Public Affairs is Ranked No. 12 in the Nation by U.S. News & World Report

This is the seventh consecutive year that SPA ranked among the top 5 percent of public affairs schools in the country, and the sixth year in a row that the school has held the distinction of the highest rated school in Washington, D.C.
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SPA is Hosting PMRC 2026!

The American University School of Public Affairs is thrilled to host the Public Management Research Conference (PMRC) 2026 next June right here in Washington, D.C.—the heart of public affairs and policy.

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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Public Servant Planning and Skills Network: New Path, Same Purpose

Public Servant Planning and Skills Network

The Public Servant Planning and Skills Network supports public servants as they navigate unplanned career transitions.

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Discover Your Future with AU

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

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Featured News

Tom Kahn

Achievements ·

Tom Kahn Named Director of AU SPA’s Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies

Longtime Capitol Hill budget leader to guide CCPS following a successful year as Acting Director
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From left, Jocelyn Parker and Griffin Cook.

Achievements ·

Bound for Berlin: Two Recent Grads Land Prestigious Appointments

Selected from a national pool of applicants, Jocelyn Parker, SIS/BA ’26, and Griffin Cook, SPA-SIS/BA ’26, are among just 65 Americans named to the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals program.
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Image from Getty.

Professional News ·

AU in the News: Week of August 7

Your weekly roundup of faculty expertise, student achievements, leadership perspectives, and top campus initiatives.
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Specialty Rankings

number 11

for Public Policy Analysis

by U.S. News & World Report's 2026 Public Affairs Graduate Schools Rankings

number 12

in Public Finance & Budgeting

by U.S. News & World Report's 2026 Public Affairs Graduate Schools Rankings

number 18

in Social Policy

by U.S. News & World Report's 2026 Public Affairs Graduate Schools Rankings