History
In 1934, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt began implementing New Deal programs that sought to increase practical contacts between the collegiate and educational world and the operations of government.He believed that the intersection of academia and public service would result in better-informed decision making.From his vision, the School of Public Affairs (SPA) at American University was born.
Education
We have an ambitious vision for the future, building on our strengths and honoring our formidable legacy. We continue to maintain our strengths in public management, policy analysis, social policy, and nonprofit management, while enhancing our expertise in specific areas such as health policy, metro/urban governance, and national security policy. By magnifying the impact of our research, maintaining our focus on excellence teaching, and preparing students for multiple paths of success, we continue to expand our central role in the public affairs arena.
Research
Research centers and institutes within the School of Public Affairs draw on the scholarship and expertise of SPA faculty. These centers offer scholarly collaboration and exchange in the areas of politics, campaigns, public finance, and public administration and policy, and justice. Their work is shared with the AU and Washington, D.C., communities, as well as across the nation.
Career
The American University Career Center supports the university’s commitment to uncompromising quality in the education of its students. The Career Center teaches undergraduates, graduate students and alumni how to develop educational and career goals, decision-making skills and job search strategies needed to manage their professional and academic pursuits.
We accomplish our mission by providing AU students, alumni, employers, faculty and staff with expert advising, leadership in experiential education, current information and resources, and networking opportunities on and off campus, as well as online.
School of Public Affairs Key Statistics & Highlights
- 8 Masters
- 547 Scholarships
- Public Institution Type
School of Public Affairs Overview
School of Public Affairs Scholarships
School of Public Affairs Scholarships
Below you will find scholarships related to School of Public Affairs. Distinction can be made between scholarships provided by the University and those provided by independent providers.
Independent provider
Grant
6850 EUR
Deadline
30 Apr 2026
"France Excellence Europa" Scholarship Program
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Anytime
Australia Awards Pacific Scholarships
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
250000 INR
Deadline
31 May 2026
GyanDhan Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
07 Oct 2026
Fulbright U.S. Student Program
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Other Scholarships For Graduate Students
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
72000 USD
Deadline
31 Oct 2026
Belgian American Educational Foundation (BAEF)
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Stipendium Peregrinum
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
15 May 2026
ASEAN Scholarship for Cambodia
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
33600 EUR
Deadline
01 Jul 2026
Mundus MAPP EMJM Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
25600 USD
Deadline
Not specified
Next 100 (Kitas 100)
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
The Ocean Country Partnership Programme (OCPP) Scholarships
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
ADB-Japan Scholarship Program for Developing Countries in Asia and Pacific
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
20000 USD
Deadline
31 Mar 2027
Thanks To Scandinavia Grants To Danish Students
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Beijing Government Scholarship for International Students
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
40000 AUD
Deadline
30 Sep 2026
Veterans’ Fund Indigenous Scholarships
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
40000 AUD
Deadline
30 Apr 2026
Veterans’ Fund Graduate Scholarships
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
31 Jan 2027
Bakala Foundation Scholarship Program
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Anytime
Summer courses of Lectures for Institutes of Languages from the University
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1500 MYR
Deadline
03 Apr 2026
Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS)
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
24 May 2026
The Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
30 Apr 2026
The Scholar Foundation Scholarship
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Becas Fundación Ramón Areces Para Estudios De Postgrado
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3200 USD
Deadline
Not specified
United Arab Emirates Government Scholarship Programs
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
6850 EUR
Deadline
30 Apr 2026
"France Excellence Europa" Scholarship Program
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Anytime
Australia Awards Pacific Scholarships
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
250000 INR
Deadline
31 May 2026
GyanDhan Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
07 Oct 2026
Fulbright U.S. Student Program
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Other Scholarships For Graduate Students
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
72000 USD
Deadline
31 Oct 2026
Belgian American Educational Foundation (BAEF)
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Stipendium Peregrinum
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
15 May 2026
ASEAN Scholarship for Cambodia
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
33600 EUR
Deadline
01 Jul 2026
Mundus MAPP EMJM Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
25600 USD
Deadline
Not specified
Next 100 (Kitas 100)
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
The Ocean Country Partnership Programme (OCPP) Scholarships
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
ADB-Japan Scholarship Program for Developing Countries in Asia and Pacific
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
20000 USD
Deadline
31 Mar 2027
Thanks To Scandinavia Grants To Danish Students
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Beijing Government Scholarship for International Students
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
40000 AUD
Deadline
30 Sep 2026
Veterans’ Fund Indigenous Scholarships
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
40000 AUD
Deadline
30 Apr 2026
Veterans’ Fund Graduate Scholarships
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
31 Jan 2027
Bakala Foundation Scholarship Program
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Women in Tech Scholarship
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
6850 EUR
Deadline
30 Apr 2026
"France Excellence Europa" Scholarship Program
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Anytime
Australia Awards Pacific Scholarships
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
250000 INR
Deadline
31 May 2026
GyanDhan Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
07 Oct 2026
Fulbright U.S. Student Program
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Other Scholarships For Graduate Students
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
72000 USD
Deadline
31 Oct 2026
Belgian American Educational Foundation (BAEF)
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Stipendium Peregrinum
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
15 May 2026
ASEAN Scholarship for Cambodia
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
33600 EUR
Deadline
01 Jul 2026
Mundus MAPP EMJM Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
25600 USD
Deadline
Not specified
Next 100 (Kitas 100)
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
The Ocean Country Partnership Programme (OCPP) Scholarships
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
ADB-Japan Scholarship Program for Developing Countries in Asia and Pacific
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
20000 USD
Deadline
31 Mar 2027
Thanks To Scandinavia Grants To Danish Students
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Beijing Government Scholarship for International Students
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
40000 AUD
Deadline
30 Sep 2026
Veterans’ Fund Indigenous Scholarships
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
40000 AUD
Deadline
30 Apr 2026
Veterans’ Fund Graduate Scholarships
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
31 Jan 2027
Bakala Foundation Scholarship Program
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Anytime
Summer courses of Lectures for Institutes of Languages from the University
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1500 MYR
Deadline
03 Apr 2026
Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS)
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
25000 USD
Deadline
01 Dec 2026
The Monahan Foundation
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
30 Nov 2026
OAS AUWCL Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
5000 USD
Deadline
12 Aug 2026
Adamson Ahdoot LLP Scholarship Grant
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
50000 USD
Deadline
15 May 2026
World Wide Studies - Victor Pinchuk Foundation
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
31 May 2026
EDHEC French Ambassy Co-Financed in India
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
24 Jun 2026
Single Parent Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1500 USD
Deadline
17 Jun 2026
Hutchison & Foreman Committing to Justice Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
01 Jul 2026
Aspiring Professionals Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
18 May 2026
Criminal Justice Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
24 Jun 2026
Dreams Without Borders Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
18 May 2026
Lucas Law Legal Leaders Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
31 Aug 2026
The Devadoss Law Firm Civil Rights Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
22 Jun 2026
Lawyers of Tomorrow Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
6850 EUR
Deadline
30 Apr 2026
"France Excellence Europa" Scholarship Program
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Anytime
Australia Awards Pacific Scholarships
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
250000 INR
Deadline
31 May 2026
GyanDhan Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
07 Oct 2026
Fulbright U.S. Student Program
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Other Scholarships For Graduate Students
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
72000 USD
Deadline
31 Oct 2026
Belgian American Educational Foundation (BAEF)
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Stipendium Peregrinum
Read more about eligibility
School of Public Affairs Student Reviews & Awards
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View American University Washington DC reviewsSchool of Public Affairs Rankings
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View American University Washington DC rankingStudent services
At American University, undergraduate academic advising is a collaborative and purposeful partnership between advisors, the AU community, and students. Approached from a holistic perspective, this process considers and respects students' diverse backgrounds, interests, and abilities. Academic advisors facilitate the identification and achievement of the student's educational and professional goals.
Our mission is to provide thorough and accurate academic counsel to
the students enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences, to assist them in the selection of a relevant, stimulating and challenging course of study and guide them toward choices that will make them better students and better citizens.
Housing services
It is our hope that conducting the business of living and dining on-campus is a smooth and enjoyable process for students and their families. By offering services such as on-campus housing, off-campus resources, meal plans and EagleBucks, and the university One Card program in one department, our goal is to allow students to focus on their education in and out of the classroom. The staff of Housing and Dining Programs strives to create meaningful student experiences in the residence halls and on-campus while encouraging students to learn and grow together in community.
Medical services
Our dedicated team of doctors, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurses and patient care representatives are here to help you make your college/grad school experience a healthy and productive one.
Campus life
The Office of Campus Life includes 13 different departments dedicated to supporting students in areas ranging from spiritual life to academics. We strive to create a campus environment that fosters student learning, development, and success.
Whether we’re collaborating with student leaders on service opportunities, hosting concerts and guest speakers, or welcoming each incoming class to campus, our portfolio is as varied as it is dedicated to student engagement.
Sports facilities
The Wellness Center provides health education resources and programs for AU students. Our mission is to provide students with wellness resources, to promote healthy lifestyles, reduce risk behaviors and offer a safe, non-discriminatory environment.Our health education programs are based upon the philosophy that wellness encompasses many dimensions, including physical wellness, emotional, spiritual and social wellness. The primary goal of the Wellness Center is to help students develop positive, healthy lifestyles which will endure throughout a lifetime.
Accreditation
Institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and AdministrationMember of the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management, Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences
School of Public Affairs Campus Locations
#1 Main Campus
United States Country
Washington, D. C. City