You are here: American University School of Public Affairs Leadership Program FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
From your perspective, what do you believe SPA Leadership Program students consider the best perks of the program and how it impacts their lives as students in college?
The program helps leadership students develop their academic interests and to prepare for a future career. Each student develops a SPA leadership portfolio; career services helps students prepare a professional resume and letter of introduction. Leadership students also get to know the American University community very well, including the staff at the Office of Student Involvement; the Office of Community Service; and the Center for Teaching, Learning and Research. Leadership students also work closely with the SPA librarian. All leadership students complete a series of workshops at offices across campus, which is a great way to meet people and learn all that AU has to offer. In addition, leadership students have their own student club that organizes many program events during the course of the year.
What are you looking for in a student's application to the program?
The selection committee is interested in finding out how the program can benefit you! Be sure to communicate why you are applying; be sure to tell us about any type of leadership roles, community service, or political engagement you have participated in during your high school years. Past applicants have discussed many leadership and community roles they performed in high school, including activities such as: model United Nations; campaign and political work; local government or faith-based community work; sports; chess club; tutoring; and many other activities. Be sure to tell us why you are interested in learning more about leadership based on your past experiences. Please let us know how you think you will be able to contribute to the program, and how the program will benefit you.
How many people are accepted into the program? How many apply?
Every year we welcome a new class of approximately 42 students. We usually receive around 100 applications.
Can you speak more to the role of the program in opening up career opportunities?
We work closely with each student to help them identify their interests, and then work to develop those interests in their studies and in an internship. Students also work with SPA Career Services to identify a career path. The program is very intentional about helping students discover career options.
What costs are associated with enrollment in the program and what expenses come up during travel/being off campus in the program?
There are no specific program costs outside of course textbooks. American University provides students with a free metro pass to get around DC. The program does not require a study abroad experience, but many of our students complete one. Foreign travel and other off campus expenses are the responsibility of each student.
Can you be in both the UC or other learning community and the leadership program?
Ordinarily yes. Please check with your academic advisor to make sure that everything fits your course schedule.
Do program participants come from a range of majors/fields of study?
Yes. Our students are enrolled in a variety schools and in many majors at American University.
How many of the students are going into political work? Are there internship options for students not going into the government field?
Yes, there are internship opportunities in many fields, based on the interests of each student. Some leadership students do go into political work, but not all of them. The possibilities are seemingly endless.
Does this program provide any further opportunities outside the classroom prior to the internship opportunity during 3rd year?
Yes, the leadership projects in both the first and second year of the project may provide opportunities for students to engage the local community.
Can we only apply before our first semester or is there a way to apply later on at AU?
You need to apply before your first semester at AU.
Do most graduates of the Leadership Program go on to careers in public service, or do they also go into fields such as political consulting, law, etc?
Leadership students go into many fields after graduation. Check out their leadership portfolios to see what they are doing in the program and after.
When are admitted applicants notified of their acceptance, and does everyone receive a decision, regardless if they are accepted or not?
We will send out application decisions around the end of May/beginning of June.
Should a student taking a gap year this coming year apply for this program the spring before they will attend AU?
Please apply in the spring before you begin your studies at American University.
What is most important to include in the resume submitted with the application?
Please be sure to include any type of leadership roles, community service, or political engagement you have participated in during your high school years. Past applicants have discussed many leadership and community roles they performed in high school, including activities such as model United Nations, campaign and political work, faith-based community work, sports, chess, and many other activities.
Can you talk about how SPA Leaders works with Lincoln Scholars and University College?
They are separate programs, but it is possible to complete the requirements of at least two of them simultaneously. Please check with your academic advisor to make sure that your schedule can manage the various requirements.
Is the issue that you choose to solve for your social action project on an individual level? Or are they all group projects?
Leadership students complete group projects in their freshmen year-long course (SPA 361); they complete individual projects in their sophomore year-long course (SPA 362).
Can you mention some of the topics that are discussed in the Advanced Study and Practice of Leadership class?
There are two parts to the leadership capstone course (SPA 460). The first part of the course examines the key theoretical concerns of the fields of leadership, bureaucracy, and public affairs. Weekly readings and class discussions involve leadership in all its complexity: in the use of power (why some actors, interests, ideas and values fare well in a given institutional milieu, while others fare less well) and regarding the problem of change (the conditions under which any given state of affairs proves durable or temporary, easily replicated or difficult). Intended to promote effective functioning leadership in professional settings, students lead the second part of the course with class presentations, featuring their professional leadership portfolios.
What are you looking for in an SPA Leadership application?
As I mentioned in an earlier question, the selection committee is interested in finding out how the program can benefit you! Be sure to communicate why you are applying; be sure to tell us about any type of leadership roles, community service, or political engagement you have participated in during your high school years. Past applicants have discussed many leadership and community roles they performed in high school, including activities such as model United Nations; campaign and political work; local government and faith-based community work; sports; chess club; tutoring; and many other activities. Be sure to tell us why you are interested in learning more about leadership based on your past experiences. Please let us know how you think you will be able to contribute to the program, and how the program will benefit you.
Do you look at our initial application from when we applied to AU?
We do not need to review the initial application, only the program application.
Are there certain leadership experiences that are recommended for applicants?
No, there is nothing actually recommended. Just be sure to communicate why you are applying to the program and be sure to tell us about any type of leadership roles, community service, or political engagement you have participated in during your high school years.
Do SPA leadership students get special access to internships compared to students not in this program?
No, they do not get special access. However, the program does help to prepare our students for internships.
Can AU students truly utilize this program to pursue in their majors/minors of interest to further go beyond the classroom and to become successful in their job interests?
Yes, past leadership students have done that. You can work with the program faculty to discuss how your leadership program coursework might support your other activities.
Do students need to be majoring in the SPA to be a part of this program?
No. The SPA Leadership Program works with any major offered at American University.
Does the faculty and staff help guide AU students, who might be unfamiliar how to best enrich their experience, through the program?
Yes, each first-year student will meet with me in the fall semester to discuss this. Program faculty continue to provide support during your time at American University.