Undergraduate Academic Accelerator Pathway (2-Term) - Bachelor of Arts in History

at Shorelight Group - American University USA

Position yourself for public policy success with our MPP degree. Located in DC, the epicenter of public affairs, you’ll receive world-class instruction from top faculty as you train to advance the quality of policy making in a variety of institutional settings. Gain insights from leading policy professionals and deepen your understanding with the many experiential learning opportunities available here.

Chemistry, the study of matter, is elemental to understanding the world around us. Our program provides a solid grounding in many areas of study, including general, organic, and physical chemistry, as students pursue a personalized curriculum with the help of practitioner faculty. We place a large emphasis on practical experience, and students conduct research projects of their own design.

If you’re interested in how power works and how societies are governed, DC is the place to be. Our program provides a foundation in American politics, comparative politics, and political theory. AU is one of the nation’s most politically-active campuses. A short Metro ride away are internships with organizations like the Brookings Institution, Human Rights Campaign, and Emily’s List.

This program balances the practical and theoretical aspects of computer science and provides students with a solid background for professional careers or further study. You’ll master technologies, receive personalized attention in small classes, conduct research and independent studies with faculty members, obtain internships, and utilize the resources at various high-tech companies and government agencies in Washington, DC, region.

At AU, studying sociology prepares you for careers in advocacy, research, teaching, and policymaking. Our degrees offer in-depth training in sociological theory and emphasize research methodology. There’s no better place to begin a career in social change than Washington, DC.

Many of the most profound challenges facing humanity relate to the environment, health, or the intersection of the two. Climate change and species extinction currently undermine the quality of life for many and threaten to compromise the fundamental, organic infrastructure that supports all life on earth. Infectious diseases like HIV and malaria remain a major cause of death in poorer countries, while chronic diseases, once most apparent in richer countries, are becoming increasingly prevalent around the world. Meanwhile, environmental toxins, air and water pollution, and soil degradation compromise the health and well-being of peoples everywhere. Not only do ecological issues have the potential to impact public health, but decisions made by communities and the private and public sectors—from transportation to agriculture—markedly influence ecosystem functions. The Environmental Sustainability and Global Health Thematic Area introduces students to the socio-political dynamics of global health and environmental affairs. Students explore the multiple causes and consequences of environmental harm and ill health and work to understand the mechanisms of governance best able to respond. Cutting across both issues are the fundamental inequalities between people, as well as between countries, that exacerbate the impacts of environmental and health problems and hamper identification and implementation of solutions. Ultimately, students develop the intellectual and applied tools needed to simultaneously work towards a safer, saner planetary condition and healthier populations.

Philosophy is the passionate study of ideas, concepts, arguments, and ideologies. It is also a practice of critically attending to forms of experience, perspectives, and discourses that shape and express our lives. In this way, pursuing a degree in philosophy offers an opportunity to think differently and to think otherwise. The undergraduate program in philosophy at American University does this by exposing students to a wide variety of philosophical traditions and methods, while helping them to cultivate an attunement to issues of ethics and social justice. As such, our philosophy students grapple with the longstanding mysteries of knowledge and existence in the face of urgent political issues and the state of our world today, while also honing their thinking, writing and communication. Ultimately, the philosophy BA program helps students acquire useful skills for many trades and professions (former students have gone on to careers in academia, business, government, journalism, law, non-profit, public administration, etc.); but above all, it nurtures powers of the mind and heart for future changemakers. 

Get the tools you need to tackle modern challenges in criminal justice and criminology, terrorism and homeland security, and justice and law. Our faculty comprise some of the nation’s foremost experts. Learn from policymakers who are facing the most pressing security concerns. Deepen your understanding with an internship at the FBI, US Customs, Secret Service, or Department of Homeland Security.

Our master’s in chemistry emphasizes student research as they  learn to design, conduct, and analyze in our modern and specialized laboratories. First, you’ll build a solid foundation in methods, statistics, and research design. Then, you’ll choose a track that will prepare you for a career in clinical labs, pharmaceuticals, and biodefense, or you can customize your program for further graduate study. 

Master of Public Administration (MPA) at the AU School of Public Affairs is to prepare students to lead with distinction in programs that serve the public good, both in the U.S. and abroad. Accredited by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA), our program delves into the prime components of leadership in public and nonprofit organizations, the realm of public policy, and the analysis of issues critical to public administration today.