Graduate Master Accelerator Pathway (2-Term) - Master of Public Policy

at Shorelight Group - American University USA

The world works in fascinating ways, and AU physics students are driven to learn how. Whether you pursue a BS or BA, we offer nationally-recognized labs, prestigious internship opportunities, and a diverse, dedicated faculty. You can reach for the stars through our NASA partnerships or build prototypes in the Design and Build Lab, and you’ll collaborate with experts on hands-on research.

The African American and African Diaspora Studies program offers a rigorous interdisciplinary curriculum that provides students with an understanding of the historical and contemporary realities of African-descended peoples in the United States and across the diaspora. Students explore Black social movements and race politics, racial ideologies and critical race theory, and the distinctive artistic, literary, cultural practices of African peoples worldwide.

Interdisciplinary course work includes courses in chemistry, physics, and statistics and readies students for the diversity of upper-level biology courses taught by our faculty experts. Biology majors acquire a thorough, competitive background in biological science and are encouraged to obtain valuable research experience working one-on-one with faculty mentors in research labs on campus, to participate in study abroad and off-campus internships, and to gain teaching experience as student instructors.

There is no better place to learn how to report the news than in the nation's capital, where news is made every minute of every day. At American University School of Communication, students regularly report on Capitol Hill, the DC government, federal agencies, and the policies forged here that have impact around the world. You'll gain valuable experience and earn bylines and credits through internships at major national and international news outlets including The Washington Post, USA TODAY, Politico, NBC4, and National Public Radio.

Our journalism program helps you hone your skills with courses in various forms of writing, advanced reporting, digital media, journalism ethics, and communication law as you learn from the School of Communication's richly experienced faculty. Our students take advantage of the most advanced video, audio, and film equipment in our Media Innovation Lab as they gain confidence being behind and in front of the camera. You'll graduate with strong writing and reporting abilities, an impressive multimedia portfolio, and connections throughout the industry that will help you build a successful career in journalism.

The nation’s capital is your classroom, and our DC location offers unparalleled resources for research, internships, and jobs. Our outstanding faculty are actively involved with archives, museums, nonprofits, and government institutions. Whatever route you wind up taking, a BA in history from AU is your stepping stone to a rewarding career.

Master of science in Quantitative Analysis will teach you to use mathematics to understand and predict behavior and events. Private and public institutions rely on these understandings and predictions, making quantitative analysts highly sought after by employers. To ensure your success, the master's degree also provides you with the professional skills necessary to succeed in government, consulting, industry, and finance.

The Global Inequality and Development Thematic Area directly addresses issues concerning the theory and practice of achieving equitable and sustainable human development. Courses will encompass a broad examination of issues related to poverty and inequality as they intersect with urban and rural geographies, the built and natural environment, food systems, conflict, education, gender, youth and development, and possibilities for bilateral and multilateral cooperation. This area will include historical analysis of the field of development studies from colonialism through the present with a focus on understanding and analyzing conflicts, shared goals, and normative values embedded in development objectives. Students will become equipped to understand and analyze the multiple causes and consequences of development and inequality, and will become better equipped to understand the mechanisms of governance best able to respond to these challenges.

Combine business and STEM courses to develop an analytical skill set for the modern business world. Learn from top-credentialed faculty interested in your success. Specialize in accounting, analytics, entrepreneurship, finance, information systems and technology, international business, management, or marketing. Gain real-world experience by solving problems for local businesses or interning at DC’s many financial institutions, consulting firms, and policy institutes.

Our MA in political science will help build your expertise in campaign management and public affairs advocacy. You’ll have opportunities to research how America’s political system influences public policy, and gain hands-on experience interning on Capitol Hill and on the K Street lobbyist corridor. You’ll network with and learn from guest speakers well known in American politics.

Neuroscience is a rapidly growing, interdisciplinary field, including psychology, chemistry, biology, physics, and mathematics/computer science. You’ll study biological and chemical mechanisms of both typical and atypical brain functions with faculty experts in behavioral, computational, and cognitive neuroscience. You achieve depth in the field through upper-level specialization and research experience, and develop breadth by selecting courses from a range of electives.