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

at Shorelight Group - American University USA

The US State Department has designated Russian a “critical need language,” and Russia’s political and economic transformation has opened exciting new career paths. Our Russian studies program gives you a solid footing in the region’s language, culture, economics, politics, and history. Deepen your understanding by studying in AU’s programs in Russia or Kazakhstan.

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.

Delve into the art and science of music technology with a bachelor’s in audio technology. Through our program, you'll gain practical experience through courses in sound synthesis, audio production, digital audio workstations, electronics, and physics. You’ll master industry technologies in our recording studio designed by one of the premier studio design firms in the country.

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.

The Peace, Global Security, and Conflict Resolution Thematic Area explores the causes and consequences of war as they relate to competing understandings of peace and security. Courses in this area help students assess the choices as well as challenges involved in preventing, resolving, and managing conflict. Students engage theories and historical cases from international security, strategic studies, human security, peace studies, and conflict resolution to conceptualize war and insecurity. The gateway course begins this journey by establishing the broader philosophical traditions associated with competing schools of thought. Students examine the different definitions of peace, security, and conflict as well as general patterns of violence and insecurity in the world. The course builds on this foundation by introducing students to the dynamics of political violence and different peacebuilding and conflict resolution mechanisms.

The Photography BA program is for students interested in all forms of photography, from fine art to photojournalism. Combining the resources and expertise of AU's Department of Art, College of Arts and Sciences, and the School of Communication, the program includes historical, theoretical, and practical approaches to photography.

Students study the evolution of photography, and can gain hands-on experience in darkrooms and digital editing labs. Students who complete the program understand the why and how of photography's adoption by fine artists, commercial studios, and the general public; and photography's changing role in the greater art world. Students relate technical developments in the medium to aesthetic and conceptual developments, citing movements and trends that also coincided with a broader art history. Through a final project and exhibition, students delve into a relevant topic of their choice and analyze it through a specific socio-cultural lens.

The BS in statistics features two tracks: data science and mathematical statistics. The former is for students with a strong interest in the field of application, who want to gain the skills to collect, analyze and use data to drive decisions. The latter is for those with an interest in the theory of statistical methods. 

Spanish is the second-most popular language in the world, and in an increasingly interconnected global society, the study of languages and culture is of vital importance. With a major in Spanish studies, you’ll develop translingual fluency and social awareness through courses on literature, language, and more. AU Abroad programs will help enhance your language skills and immerse you in culture. 

The Global and Comparative Governance Thematic Area is designed for students who are interested in how a range of actors—local, national, global—seek to understand and solve the compelling security, development, environmental, and economic problems of our time. This thematic area focuses on the role that states, regional and global institutions (the United Nations, EU, World Bank, etc.), civil society, and the private sector play in addressing regional and global problems. Students also have the option of specializing in a geographical region. Students will take a multidisciplinary approach and will acquire the skills to empirically evaluate phenomena, anticipate emerging trends, and interpret data through an innovative curriculum that emphasizes theory and applied knowledge.

Our Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) program prepares students for rewarding careers in all facets of the field, from nonprofit to forensic accounting.

Whether you're advancing your career, transitioning to a new one, or just starting out, the MSA program will put you on track to compete in a flourishing field – one that's projected to increase by 22 percent in the next decade. The MSA curriculum focuses on various accounting topics - including auditing, forensic investigation, business ethics, information systems, and more - to develop the leadership qualities and data-utilization skills you'll need to excel in the industry.