SCHOOL of INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
A M E R I C A N
U N I V E R S I T Y
•
WA S H I N G TO N ,
D C
What if
you could
join this
community
of global
leaders?
G R A D U A T E
A D M I S S I O N S
SIS building photos: ©2013 Prakash Patel
The School of International Service at
American University is housed in a 70,000
square-foot LEED Gold-certified building,
reflecting the university’s commitment to
sustainability.
What if you could
have the benefits
of both an
international hub
and a campus
community?
American University’s School of International
leaders who frequently visit our campus. And
work in NGOs, public service organizations,
Service (SIS) is a top 10 school of
our city offers unparalleled opportunities for
private companies, and international
international relations, based in Washington,
faculty and students not only to study and
organizations.
DC. Producing cutting-edge research to
research international relations, but also to
address the world’s most pressing challenges
actively engage in the ongoing work of this
and resources, the SIS community is
and training the next generation of global
dynamic field.
collaborative with each other and with
leaders, SIS has both the benefit of a tight-
For more than 50 years, SIS has prepared
Drawing on this wealth of experiences
colleagues in the field, connected to
knit campus community and the advantage of
the next generation of global leaders. With
Washington, DC, and the world, and
being in the nation’s capital city.
nearly 20 degree programs, our students and
committed to pursuing global change. We
Our school is a forum for faculty and
faculty have the wide range of knowledge
hope you will consider what it might be
undergraduate, graduate, and PhD students
and skills necessary to tackle the complex
like if you, too, were to join this distinctive
to collaborate, build relationships, and engage
challenges of our ever-changing and
community.
with each other, with alumni, and with global
interdependent world. Our students go on to
american.edu/sis
1
“We are the School of International Service—and quite proud of this
distinction. We train our students to leave the world a better place,
regardless of their choice of careers—from the private sector to
government to nonprofits and international organizations. Our faculty,
too, contribute greatly to the world around them—from villages on the
other side of the globe to multilateral organizations and government
agencies across town.” —Dean James Goldgeier
2
School of International Service
SIS by the numbers
total SIS 120+
8th 900+
graduate students full-time
2,000+
total SIS
undergraduate students
25%
18%
22%
of incoming
graduate
students are first
generation college
students.
countries represented
94%
95%
20
students
average
graduate
class size
american.edu/sis
of incoming
graduate
students have
international
experience.
of incoming
graduate
students speak
at least one
foreign language.
20+
practica options
each year
75%
of graduate students are
U.S.-born students of color.
of graduate students are
international students.
3.6
median GPA of
admitted students
40+
skills institutes
per year
9th ranked by Peace
Corps for Coverdell
Fellows programs
SIS faculty
members
Ranked 1st: Presidential
Management
Fellow finalists
and for Boren
Fellowship
recipients.
15,000+
140
ranked graduate
school of
international
relations by Foreign
Policy magazine
of classes are
offered after
5:30 pm, on weekends, or online. worldwide alumni
3
What if your
degree could
prepare you
to address the
great challenges
of our time?
SIS graduate degrees equip students with the
knowledge and skills necessary to lead change
in our complex and interconnected world. SIS
offers nearly 20 degree programs, including:
l two-year, on-campus master’s degrees
l an executive degree for mid-career
professionals, on-campus and online
l one year master’s degree for students
from partner institutions
l an innovative online master’s degree in
international relations
l an interdisciplinary doctoral program
Your Curriculum
Our multidisciplinary master’s curriculum is
focused on preparing students for careers in
global service and enhancing their current
career paths. Each master’s degree is
grounded in a set of core courses alongside
economics and research methods. Students
also select a specialized concentration to
focus their program on their unique interest
in a particular aspect of international
relations. The final component of the program
is a capstone project, which can include: an
applied practicum, a traditional thesis option,
4
or an internship and related substantial
research paper. Non-credit program
requirements include foreign language and an
internship or professional experience.
Our doctoral program is more scholarly
in nature with a curriculum providing
training in international relations that is
both multidisciplinary and policy-relevant.
This program enables our graduates to go
on to careers in university teaching and
research, government, and non-government
organizations in the United States as well as
around the globe.
School of International Service | Degrees
President Barack Obama
delivers a speech on Iran at SIS
Sample SIS Courses
american.edu/sis
l
International Law &
the Legal Order
l
Applied Public Diplomacy
l
Arab-Israeli Conflict
l
International Negotiation
l
Causes of War
l
Insurgency & Counterinsurgency
l
Community Development
l
Migration, Refugees, & Trafficking
l
Complex Emergencies
l
NGO Management
l
Conflict Assessment & Prevention
l
Oil, Islam, & Politics in the Gulf
l
Corporate Social Responsibility
l
Planning, Forecasting, &
l
Cybercrime, Espionage, & Warfare
l
Diplomatic Practice
l
Economic Politics of the EU
l
Ethnic Conflict in Eurasia
l
Political Risk Analysis
l
Foundations of Economic
l
Politics of Peacebuilding in Africa
Development
l
Project Design, Monitoring, &
Decision Making
l
Political Ecology of Food &
Agriculture
Evaluation (DM&E)
l
Gender, Human Rights, & Conflict
l
Global Financial Governance
l
Race & Ethnicity in the Americas
l
Global Governance
l
Reconciliation & Justice
l
Health in the Developing World
l
Transatlantic Security
l
Intelligence & Foreign Policy
l
U.S. Strategy Toward Iran
l
International Finance &
l
Water Governance
Emerging Markets
l
Women & Development
5
Master’s Degrees
l
MS in Development Management
l
MA in Ethics, Peace, and Global Affairs
l
MA in Global Environmental Policy
l
l
l
l
l
MA in Intercultural and International
Communication
MA in International Affairs: Comparative
and Regional Studies (Africa, the Americas,
Asia-Pacific, Europe & Eurasia, the Middle
East, Islamic Studies)
MA in International Affairs: Global
Governance, Politics, and Security
MA in International Affairs: International
Economic Relations
l
MA in International Affairs: Natural
Resources and Sustainable Development
MA in International Affairs: United States
Foreign Policy and National Security
l
MA in International Development
l
MA in International Economics
l
MA in International Media
l
MA in International Peace and Conflict
Resolution
l
MA in International Relations (online)
l
MA in Social Enterprise
Executive Degree
Master of International Service
Executive Track (on-campus or online options available)
International Studies Track
l PhD Degree
PhD in International Relations
l Domestic Dual Degrees
JD/MA (International Affairs)
MA/MAT (International Peace and Conflict Resolution)
l MA/MBA
l MA/MTS (International Peace and Conflict Resolution/International Development)
l l International Dual Degrees
AU/Korea University, Korea
AU/Ritsumeikan University, Japan
l AU/University for Peace, Costa Rica
l l Master’s International
For graduate students serving in the Peace Corps.
l 6
School of International Service | Degrees
MS in Development
Management
The Development Management program
MA in Intercultural
and International
Communication
provides students with training and practice
The Intercultural and International
in development and public administration.
Communication program is the first of its
The degree is for both practitioners and
kind in the United States. The distinctive
students with prior field experience who
mission of the program is a focus on the
plan to work on development projects either
role of culture and communications in the
within the United States or in developing
international system, and an analysis of
MA in International
Affairs: Comparative and
Regional Studies
countries. The approach emphasizes social
the relationship between international
The Comparative and Regional Studies
learning, action research, institutional
communication and international affairs. The
program, which encompasses Africa,
development, and social development
program provides students with specialized
the Americas, Asia, Europe and Eurasia,
management.
knowledge and professional skills of public
the Middle East, and Islamic Studies, is
american.edu/sis/id/Development-
and cultural diplomacy, intercultural relations,
innovative in its use of comparative inquiry,
Management-Program.cfm
global social media, technology and policy,
enabling students to gain knowledge of
and global health communication.
specific countries while engaging in cross-
american.edu/sis/ic
regional analysis. By pioneering the frontiers
MA in Ethics, Peace, and
Global Affairs
Religion in the College of Arts and Sciences,
MA in International
Affairs: Global
Governance, Politics, and
Security
this interdisciplinary program is a response to
The Global Governance, Politics, and
the challenges of social policy facing the world
Security program provides students with the
and fosters understanding of the structural
professional training and skills necessary
and political dynamic of conflict, including
to launch careers in international affairs
an analysis of their sources. Students gain
and public service. The program takes a
theoretical and skills-based training in peace
multidisciplinary approach to understanding
and conflict resolution and do substantial work
relations among and beyond states and
in philosophy and social policy.
societies on the global stage. The program’s
american.edu/sis/epga
mission is to produce professionals with an
Offered jointly through the International
Peace and Conflict Resolution program at
SIS and the Department of Philosophy and
understanding of global history, political
dynamics, and economic systems, as well as
the methodological tools and the practical
skills needed to make sense of data.
american.edu/sis/ggps
of comparison across regions, this program
represents a distinctive form of professional
education, at once scholarly and eminently
practical.
american.edu/sis/crs
MA in Global
Environmental Policy
The Global Environmental Policy program
helps students to understand causes of
environmental harm and to identify ways
to build a more sustainable world. Through
coursework, individual and team research,
and internships in Washington, DC, and
around the world, students develop the
knowledge, perspective, and skills to address
environmental challenges. Particular
areas of program strength include climate
change, sustainable energy, water, food, and
biodiversity conservation, as well as crosscutting themes of political ecology, peace and
conflict, the role of law and institutions, and
participatory approaches.
american.edu/sis/gep
american.edu/sis
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MA in International
Affairs: International
Economic Relations
The International Economic Relations
considerable programmatic flexibility with the
communication, research, international
benefits of specialization in a concentration
communication, and global media. In addition,
selected by the student.
students take hands-on courses designed
american.edu/sis/usfp
to hone writing skills over a broad range of
media, and production classes that introduce
program provides students with the range
of skills needed to understand international
economic and financial problems in
today’s complex global environment. What
distinguishes the program is its focus on
international trade and financial issues using
analytical tools from economics, political
science, and law. Students learn to critically
analyze economic issues and the political
economy of policymaking in the areas of
international trade, finance, investment, and
development. american.edu/sis/ier
MA in International
Affairs: Natural Resources
and Sustainable
Development
An affiliate of the Global Environmental
Politics program, the Natural Resources
and Sustainable Development program is
a dual-degree program in which students
MA in International
Development
The International Development program is
one of the best-established development
programs in the United States. For over 35
years, it has trained students to participate
them to filmmaking, newswriting, digital
imaging, web design, photography, and public
communication writing. american.edu/sis/im
MA in International Peace
and Conflict Resolution
The International Peace and Conflict
effectively in driving socio-economic,
Resolution program focuses on the causes
political, and environmental change
of war and organized violence, and the
throughout the world. The program’s primary
processes of conflict analysis and resolution.
focus is the improvement of opportunities for
IPCR is founded on the belief that violence
the world’s poor and disenfranchised. It has
is neither necessary nor inevitable, and that
one of the largest concentrations of faculty
change toward social justice and sustainable
both teaching and researching international
peace can best be approached from a
development, and has approximately 1,200
collaborative and humanistic perspective.
alumni in development-related positions
With a strong emphasis on the blending of
around the world. american.edu/sis/id
theory with practice, peace studies with
MA in International
Economics
conflict resolution, and always with a search
for alternatives to violence, IPCR stands
apart as a reputable and unique academic
The International Economics program offers
and professional training program.
study at and receive degrees from both
a rigorous combination of theoretical,
american.edu/sis/ipcr
American University and the United Nations-
empirical, and policy-oriented courses
affiliated University for Peace in Costa
in economics, political economy, and
Rica. American University has strengths in
policymaking focused on international trade
international relations, environmental policy,
and finance. Administered jointly with the
and economics, while the University for
Department of Economics in the College of
Peace provides unparalleled opportunities
Arts and Sciences, the program prepares
to offer courses and practical experience
students to analyze the most important
in sustainable development and natural
issues in today’s global economy, including
resources management. All courses are
the macro- and microeconomic causes
taught in English.
and consequences of trade and financial
american.edu/sis/gep/NRSD.cfm
liberalization, exchange rate fluctuations, and
MA in International
Affairs: United States
Foreign Policy and
National Security
capital-markets integration.
american.edu/sis/internationaleconomics
MA in International Media
MA in International
Relations (Online)
International Relations Online offers students
a foundation in the field of international
relations as well as the chance to gain
specialized expertise through concentrations
in global security, international development,
international negotiation and conflict
resolution, and U.S. foreign policy and
national security. Classes are delivered on
an engaging learning platform to students
located around the globe, and combine
highly-produced, self-paced content designed
by faculty with live virtual class sessions.
The International Media program offers
No other highly-ranked program offers
The United States Foreign Policy and National
students a unique opportunity to learn
a comparable online master’s degree in
Security program presents courses on
international communication theory and
international relations with AU’s level of
defense policy, intelligence, the formulation
research while at the same time developing
interaction among faculty and students.
and implementation of foreign policy, and
professional production skills. This
ironline.american.edu
the social, political, economic, strategic, and
interdisciplinary degree allows students to
historical underpinnings of U.S. foreign policy.
take concurrent courses in SIS and the School
It is a rigorous course of study that combines
of Communication that emphasize strategic
8
School of International Service | Degrees
SIS alumnus John Prendergast,
SIS/MA ’90, serves on the
board and as an advisor to
Not on Our Watch, an
international advocacy and
humanitarian assistance
organization founded by actors
Don Cheadle, George Clooney,
Matt Damon, and Brad Pitt.
MA in Social Enterprise
DOCTORAL DEGREE
This Social Enterprise program is the
Master of International
Service
first of its kind offered by an Association
EXECUTIVE TRACK
PhD in International
Relations
of Professional Schools of International
The executive track is designed for
The PhD program trains students to produce
Affairs member, and is among the very few
professionals with at least seven to nine years
new knowledge of the highest scholarly
graduate degrees available worldwide that
of professional experience. As a true executive
caliber. The program prepares students
directly focuses on social entrepreneurship.
program, the program places emphasis on
for careers as teachers and scholars at
This program is designed to assist students
decision-making, strategic communication,
universities and research institutes in
in acquiring the knowledge, skills, and
leading multicultural workforces, and change
both the private and public sectors. The
mindset necessary to launch a new global
and crisis management. Additionally, a wide
core curriculum covers the foundational
social entrepreneurial venture or play a
variety of possible concentrations are offered
fields of transnational study: international
key leadership role in an existing one. This
in fields such as foreign and security policy,
relations, comparative and regional studies,
program’s curriculum blends learning about
peace and conflict resolution, international
and social theory. Students pick one of
both hard and soft management practices
negotiation, and international development.
eight concentrations and also take a three-
with an examination of the dynamics of
Most course offerings are available after
course multiple-methodology sequence that
social innovation.
business hours to accommodate the needs
introduces them to the major qualitative and
american.edu/sis/socialenterprise
of part-time students. Both on-campus and
quantitative research techniques used in the
online options are available.
social sciences today. SIS provides students
with generous financial support, which
INTERNATIONAL STUDIES TRACK
includes tuition remission and a stipend,
The international studies track is designed
both of which can be renewed for up to four
for students who are currently enrolled or
years. All students have the opportunity to
have recently completed a master’s level
work closely with a faculty member on their
program in international affairs or a related
teaching and research.
field at a partner institution. Students benefit
american.edu/sis/phd
from cross-continental academic experiences
that augment their educational and personal
development. Graduates from the program
are conferred a dual degree from SIS and
partner institution.
american.edu/sis/mis
american.edu/sis
9
What if you
could develop
expertise by
choosing from
among 50
specialized
concentrations?
Sample Concentrations
SIS encourages graduate students to
as a wide range of broadly applicable tools
build specific expertise by choosing
and skills.
from more than 50 concentrations. The
Doctoral students select a major field of
multidisciplinary nature of SIS allows
concentration from among those offered at
students to design a concentration to reflect
SIS during their first year of study with the
their unique passions within international
support of their advisor and the PhD program
relations, and offers the opportunity to
director.
personalize coursework to match career
ambitions and professional goals.
With over 120 full-time faculty and more
than 120 graduate classes each semester,
Learn more about concentrations at SIS
and browse current course descriptions at
american.edu/sis.
African Studies
Applied Conflict Resolution
Asian Studies
Community Development
Development Policy
Economics
Energy
European Studies
Gender Studies
Global Health
Global Social Media, Technology, and Policy
Governance and Democracy
Identity and Culture
International Business
Intercultural Relations
International Development
International Economic Relations
International Education
International Organizations
International Political Economy
Islamic Studies
Human Rights
Middle Eastern Studies
Negotiation
Peacebuilding
Program and Project Evaluation
Public Diplomacy or Environmental Politics/
Policy
Russian and Central Eurasian Studies
Security Studies
Social Entrepreneurship
Transnational Crime and Corruption
U.S. National Security
U.S. Foreign Policy
students have an unparalleled opportunity to
develop a focused area of expertise as well
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School of International Service | Curriculum
What if you
could study
with over 120
full-time faculty
members?
James Goldgeier, Dean
Mohammed Abu-Nimer
Aaron Boesenecker
Erin Collins
PhD, George Mason University
Middle East, Islam, nonviolence, and peace
PhD, Georgetown University
European politics, comparative political
economy
PhD, University of California–Berkeley
Political economy and cultural politics of
urban transformation
David Bosco
Ken Conca
JD, Harvard University
International governance
PhD, University of California–Berkeley
Water governance, environmental conflict and
peacebuilding, United Nations
Amitav Acharya
PhD, Murdoch University
Multilateralism, Southeast Asia
Akbar Ahmed
PhD, University of London
Islamic Studies
Boaz Atzili
PhD, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
International security, territorial conflicts
Adam Auerbach
PhD, University of Wisconsin–Madison
Political economy of development and local
governance in South Asia
Fanta Aw
PhD, American University
International educational exchange,
transnational migration
Jeffrey Bachman
PhD, Northeastern University
Human rights, humanitarian law
David Banks
ABD, George Washington University
Diplomacy, security politics
Shawn Bates
JD, Georgetown University
Alternative dispute resolution, green
infrastructure development, international
arbitration
William Belding
JD, University of California
Asymmetrical warfare, counterinsurgency
operations
Daniel Bernhofen
PhD, Syracuse University
International trade, globalization
www.american.edu/sis
american.edu/sis
Eve Bratman
PhD, American University
Environment, agriculture, and human rights in
Latin America
Dylan Craig
Philip Brenner
Keith Darden
PhD, Johns Hopkins University
Congress and foreign policy, U.S. foreign
policy towards Latin America and Cuba
PhD, University of California–Berkeley
Politics of Eurasia, insurgency
Robin Broad
PhD, Princeton University
Environment and development
PhD, University of California–Santa Barbara
Urban security, civil-military operations, U.S.
military strategy and management
Claire Brunel
Maria De Jesus
PhD, Georgetown University
Environmental economics, international
trade, empirical microeconomics
PhD, Boston College
Health communication, communication
and social change, diasporas and
communication
Charles Call
PhD, Stanford University
Post-conflict peacebuilding
Lauren Carruth
PhD, University of Arizona
Public health, humanitarian interventions,
sustainable development
Christine Chin
PhD, American University
Intercultural relations, transnational
migration, transnational education
Derrick L. Cogburn
PhD, Howard University
Transnational civil society and global policy
networks
PhD, American University
Proxy wars, intractable civil conflicts
Steve Dalzell
Marion Dixon
PhD, Cornell University
Food system change, political instability and
food insecurity
Michelle Egan
PhD, University of Pittsburgh
Comparative political economy, comparative
European politics
Doga Eralp
PhD, George Mason University
Dialogue facilitation, human rights, collective
memory, democratization
Daniel Esser
PhD, London School of Economics
Global development and aid effectiveness
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Tazreena Sajjad
Ken Conca
Nina Yamanis
Stephanie Fischer
Mohamed Alaa A. Moneim Hassan
Sarah Knight
MBA, University of Pennsylvania
Corporate social responsibility, nonprofit
management
PhD, American University
Political economy of the Middle East,
research methods
PhD, American University
International political economy
Jonathan Fox
Craig Hayden
PhD, Georgetown University
East Asian security and foreign policy,
international institutions
PhD, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Latin American politics, democratization,
migration
Carolyn Gallaher
PhD, University of Kentucky
Paramilitary violence, religious right and U.S.
foreign policy
Terra Gargano
PhD, University of Maryland
International education, intercultural
relations
Agustina Giraudy
PhD, University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill
Democracy and politics in Latin America
James Goldgeier, Dean
PhD, University of California–Berkeley
Contemporary international relations,
American foreign policy, U.S.-European
relations
Louis W. Goodman, Dean Emeritus
PhD, Northwestern University
Development and democracy in Latin
America
T. Garrett Graddy
PhD, University of Kentucky
Food, agriculture, bioethics
Hrach Gregorian
PhD, Brandeis University
Peacebuilding, stability and peace operations
in fragile states
PhD, University of Southern California
Public diplomacy, media studies, political
communication
Pek Koon Heng
PhD, University of London
International relations, political economy of
Asia
Randall Henning
Nanette S. Levinson
PhD, Tufts University
Politics of economic policy-making
David Hirschmann
PhD, University of the Witwatersrand
Development management, gender
Claudia Hofmann
PhD, University of Cologne
Non-state actors, organized crime
Patrick Thaddeus Jackson
PhD, Columbia University
Social and political theory
Ash Jain
JD/MS, Georgetown University
International organizations, global norms,
U.S. alliances, national security challenges
Sikina Jinnah
PhD, University of California–Berkeley
International organizations and global
environmental policy, biodiversity, climate
change and international trade
Miles Kahler
PhD, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
International organizations
Anders Hardig
Victoria Kiechel
PhD, American University
Social movements and grassroots networks
in the Middle East
MArch, Harvard University
Sustainable design, energy benchmarking,
workforce training in energy efficiency
Austin Hart
John King
PhD, University of Texas–Austin
Research design, political campaigns and
voting behavior
12
Carl LeVan
PhD, University of California–San Diego
Comparative democratization, political
institutions and economic development,
authoritarianism in Africa
PhD, Harvard University
Trade and development, global governance,
international political economy
Tamar Gutner
Ji-Young Lee
PhD, University of North Texas
International affairs statistics and research
design
EdD, Harvard University
Technology, culture and development, social
entrepreneurship, internet governance
Garret Martin
PhD, London School of Economics
Transatlantic relations, NATO, security
Jordanna Matlon
PhD, University of California–Berkeley
Race, gender, and belonging in Africa
David Mislan
PhD, Rutgers University
U.S. foreign and defense policy, theories of
decision-making, causes of war and peace
Shadi Mokhtari
PhD, York University
Human rights, Middle East politics, political
Islam
Thomas Moriarty
PhD, University of Virginia
U.S. foreign policy, international security,
non-state actors and terrorism
Shoon Murray
PhD, Yale University
U.S. foreign policy, domestic politics, and
public opinion, the politics of military
interventions
Kyoung-Ah Nam
PhD, University of Minnesota
Intercultural education and training,
cross-cultural communication
Simon Nicholson
PhD, American University
Food, agriculture, biotechnology, post-carbon
transitions
School of International Service | Faculty
David Bosco
Christine Chin
Amitav Acharya
David Ohls
Michael Schroeder
Robert Tomasko
PhD, University of Wisconsin–Madison
International political economy, international
security
PhD, George Washington University
Global governance, political leadership
EdM, Harvard University
Social entrepreneurship, leadership
Randolph Persaud
Lucia Seybert
Shalini Venturelli
PhD, Cornell University
Energy and the environment, sustainable
development
PhD, University of Colorado
Global knowledge economy, global public
media, international media and geopolitics
Judith Shapiro
Anthony Wanis-St. John
PhD, American University
Global environmental politics, The People’s
Republic of China
PhD, Tufts University
International negotiation
Sally Shelton-Colby
PhD, Princeton University
International environmental politics,
environmental activist groups,
environmental ethics
PhD, York University
Global and human security, race, ethnicity
and culture, and the Americas
Jennifer Poole
PhD, University of California–San Diego
International trade, labor economics,
development economics
Arturo Porzecanski
PhD, University of Pittsburgh
International finance, Latin American
financial issues
MA, Johns Hopkins University
Congress, domestic politics, U.S. foreign
policy towards Latin America and the
Caribbean
Anthony C.E. Quainton
Susan Shepler
LhD, LaRoche College
Diplomatic practice, public diplomacy, U.S.
foreign policy towards Latin America and
the Middle East
PhD, University of California–Berkeley
Youth and conflict, migration crises
Stephen Silvia
Paul Wapner
Gary Weaver
PhD, American University
Intercultural communication
Sharon K. Weiner
PhD, Yale University
Comparative labor market policy
PhD, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Nonproliferation and WMD, civil-military
relations
PhD, University of California–Berkeley
Global metropolitan governance, climate
change
Maina Chawla Singh
Barbara Wien
PhD, Jamia Millia Islamia
Colonial and contemporary India
Columbia University
Human rights, peace education, nonviolence
Rachel Sullivan Robinson
Loubna Skalli-Hanna
Wanda Wigfall-Williams
PhD, Pennsylvania State University
Gender, children, and youth
PhD, George Mason University
Human trafficking, reconciliation strategies,
dialogue facilitation
Malini Ranganathan
PhD, University of California–Berkeley
Demography, Africa, HIV, family planning
Christopher Rudolph
PhD, University of California–Los Angeles
National security, international political
economy
Tazreena Sajjad
PhD, American University
Human rights and conflict, gender,
transitional justice
Vidyamali Samarasinghe
PhD, Cambridge University
Gender and development, population
Cathy Schneider
PhD, Cornell University
Social movements, race, ethnicity, and
immigration
Daniel Schneider
JD, University of Wisconsin
Corruption and development, transnational
crime
american.edu/sis
Sarah Snyder
PhD, Georgetown University
Cold War history, human rights activism and
policy
Paul Williams
Jordan Tama
Nina Yamanis
PhD, Princeton University
National security commissions, national
security strategy, foreign policy making
process
PhD, MPH, University of North Carolina–
Chapel Hill
Global health, micropolitics of development
Stephen Tankel
PhD, Florida State University
Political violence, insurgency, terrorism
PhD, King’s College London
Terrorism, insurgency, political and military
affairs in South Asia
Amanda Taylor
EdD, Harvard University
Culture, power, and education
Matthew Taylor
PhD, Georgetown University
Corruption, Latin American development
PhD, University of Cambridge
International law
Joseph Young
Quansheng Zhao
PhD, University of California–Berkeley
International relations, foreign policy of East
Asia
Guy Ziv
PhD, University of Maryland
Middle East, theories of decision-making
13
What if you
could apply
your learning in
Washington, DC,
and around the
world?
At SIS, students pursue their educational and
local resources and those of our partners
Save the Children, the U.S. Department of
career development simultaneously through
overseas, more than 90 percent of SIS
State, the Embassy of France, the Stimson
a skills-focused curriculum, professional
graduate students complete at least one
Center, Open Society Foundation, the United
internships, study abroad opportunities,
internship during their time in the program.
Nations Relief and Works Agency, the Wilson
and applied practica projects in Washington,
In recent years, students have interned at
Center, Amnesty International, the Stern
DC, and around the world. Drawing on
organizations such as the World Wildlife Fund,
Group, and more.
14
School of International Service | Skills
Skills Institutes
More than 20 weekend skills
institutes are offered each semester
to help students gain the practical
tools necessary for effective global
leadership.
Sample skills institutes include:
• Business-NGO Partnership Building
• Designing Intercultural Training
Programs
• Fundraising
• Gender Analysis and Development
• Green Recovery and Reconstruction
Training
• Innovation in Market Development
• Media Relations in Conflict Zones
• Mediating History
• Non-Violent Action
• Policy Briefing
• Project and Program Evaluation
• Rapid Environmental Impact
Assessment in Disasters
• Real World Strategic Planning
• Smartphone Media Production
• Structured Analytic Production and
Presentation
american.edu/sis
15
SIS Practicum in Depth
Practica
SIS students have the opportunity
to participate in a practicum
experience, a culminating teambased capstone project in which
they work with agencies and
organizations in the field to
analyze a real world challenge
and provide recommendations
to the client.
A partner talks to SIS students
during a practicum in Brazil.
Sample practica include:
• China in Africa
Partners: U.S. Department of
State, Bureau of African Affairs
• Climate Ethics and
Environmental Justice
Partners: Greenpeace, World
Wildlife Fund
• Conflict Transformation,
Peacebuilding, and Human
Security
Partners: international nongovernmental organizations,
government agencies, the
Alliance for Peacebuilding
• Intelligence Analysis
Partner: Defense Intelligence
Agency SIS Practicum in Depth
Migration Pressures: Moving Beyond
the Humanitarian Crisis
• Program Assessment in
Intercultural Leadership
Development
In a recent SIS practicum course, a team of
By the end of the semester, the team
students examined the drivers of migration
compiled their findings into briefing materials
from Central America to the United States.
and policy recommendations for partners,
Partner: Pxyera Global They sought to understand the factors
which included: U.S Departments of State and
that both “push” people to abandon their
• Sustainable Institution
Building in Law Enforcement
Organizations
Commerce, the Office of the Vice President,
homeland and “pull” them to the U.S., and to
U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, and
analyze the policies and programs that could
the embassies of Honduras, Guatemala,
better address those factors. Students broke
and El Salvador. You can review the briefing
Partner: U.S. Department of
Justice International Criminal
Investigative Training Assistance
Program
into small sub-teams to conduct research,
packet at: american.edu/sis/practica/upload/
interviews and fieldwork on the economic and
S15-Central-America-Migration-Pressures-
political forces that drive migration. Students
Findings-Recommendations.PDF
in this practicum also had the unique
opportunity to travel to several Central
American countries to gain on-the-ground
insights into their research questions.
16
School of International Service | Skills
SIS International Programs and Partnerships
To help students further develop a global perspective, SIS offers numerous opportunities for students to study and research abroad, including
short-term summer experiences and dual degree programs. Funding is available through SIS to support these research and study abroad initiatives.
Norway
Russia
England
Canada
France
Washington, DC
Germany
Switzerland
Egypt
Cuba
China
Azerbaijan
Turkey
Korea
Japan
Israel-Palestine
Costa Rica
Colombia
Malaysia
Brazil
Peru
South Africa
New Zealand
300+
students received SIS funding for study/
research practica abroad in 2014-15
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Japan: Ritsumeikan University
Korea: Korea University
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Canada: University of Toronto
France: Sciences Po
Germany: Freie Universität Berlin
Norway: University of Life Sciences
Russia: St. Petersburg University
Turkey: Koç University
Egypt: The American University in
Cairo
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New Zealand: Victoria University of
Wellington
Costa Rica: UN University for Peace
Colombia: Pontificia Universidad
Javeriana
Peru: Peruvian Diplomatic Academy
China: Peking University
Japan: Ritsumeikan University
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South Africa
Internships
PRACTICA ABROAD*
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China
Israel
SUMMER PROGRAMS*
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Azerbaijan
Brazil
Cambridge
Geneva
Israel
* Summer programs and practica abroad listed are
samples and may not always be available.
american.edu/sis/sisabroad
american.edu/sis
17
What if you had
a team dedicated
to supporting
your global
career goals?
SIS graduates work in a variety of professions
The career center offers the following services:
in the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors
• initial résumé evaluation
throughout the world. Our team of career
• interviewing strategies
advisors and faculty members help students
• salary negotiation
• job and internship fairs
explore and prepare for meaningful careers
• graduate career boot camp
• mock interviewing
in the field. We also offer regular networking
• one-on-one advising
• international internships
events throughout the year with alumni,
• online career resources
• merit award advising
ranging from informal discussions to panel
• career panels
• Alumni in the Atrium series
• SIS industry days featuring
employer site visits
presentations.
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School of International Service | Career
Building Careers through Scholarships and Fellowships
Our award-winning Office of Merit Awards provides personalized advising to students in pursuit of national scholarships and fellowships to support
their academic and career goals, including the prestigious Boren Fellowship, Fulbright Fellowship, and the Presidential Management Fellowship.
Bilal Wahab, SIS/MA ’07
Fulbright Scholar
In 2015, the Fulbright Program again named
American University a “Fulbright U.S. Student
Program Top Producing Institution”.
Jeanine Finley, SIS/MA ’13
Boren Fellow
In 2015, American University ranked first
nationally for the number of combined
scholars and fellows receiving prestigious
Boren Fellowships.
american.edu/sis
Gaina Dubuisson, SIS/MA ’14
Pickering Fellow
6 out of the 40 currently enrolled Thomas R. Pickering Graduate Fellows
nationwide attend SIS.
William Daming, SIS/MA ’13
Presidential Management Fellow
In 2015, American University ranks first
nationally for the number of Presidential
Management Fellow program finalists.
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SIS Graduate Outcomes
SALARY RANGES
Public
sector
Nonprofit
sector
34%
89%
of 2014 MA graduates
were employed, fulfilling
other plans, or pursuing
an advanced degree within
six months of graduation.
Private
sector
35%
39%
$60,000 or more
26%
$50,000 - $60,000
16%
$40,000 - $50,000
19%
$40,000 or less
EMPLOYMENT SECTORS
23%
Intergovernmental
Foreign
Government
5%
3%
Selfemployed
1%
Note: Data from 2014 MA graduation survey (80% response rate.)
Learn more about SIS graduate outcomes at american.edu/weknowsuccess.
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School of International Service | Career
Selected SIS Graduate Employers
Accenture
Ashoka
Astrum Solar
Board of Governors
of the Federal
Reserve System
Booz Allen Hamilton
British Embassy in
the United States
Brookings
Institution
CARE
Carnegie Endowment
for International
Peace
Center for Strategic
and International
Studies
Central Intelligence
Agency
Chemonics
International
Chevron Africa
Congressional Black
Caucus Foundation,
Inc.
Defense Intelligence
Agency
Embassy of India
Embassy of Peru
Enough Project
European Bank for
Reconstruction and
Development
Federal Bureau of
Investigation
american.edu/sis
Federal Emergency
Management Agency
Global
Environmental
Institute
Health Poverty
Action
Heifer International
Human Rights Law
Network
IBM
Institute for
Sustainable
Communities
Institute of
International
Education
Inter-American
Development Bank
InterAction
International Food
Policy Research
Institute
International Justice
Mission
International
Organization for
Migration
International Rescue
Committee
Millenium Challenge
Corporation
National Cancer
Institute
National Wildlife
Federation
Organization of
American States
Peace Corps
Public International
Law & Policy Group
The Pew Charitable
Trusts
U.S. Agency for
International
Development
U.S. Department
of Energy
U.S. Department of
Homeland Security
U.S. Department
of Justice
U.S. Department
of State
U.S. Department
of the Treasury
U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency
U.S. Marine Corps
U.S.-China Business
Council
United Nations
Capital Development
Fund
United States
Institute of Peace
Voice of America
William J. Clinton
Foundation
World Bank
World Vision
21
What if these
SIS alumni
were in your
network?
Erick Marin
Müller,
SIS/MA ’12
Camilo Zambrano,
SIS/MA ’10
Huong Mai Nguyen,
SIS/MA ’11
Diplomat
Analyst
Embassy of Ecuador
in Washington, DC
The World Bank
Michael Porth,
SIS/MA ’11
Robin Koepke,
SIS/MA ’10
Blair Mersinger,
SIS/MA ’08
Security Analyst
Economist
Senior Analyst
Inter-American
Development Bank
Institute of
International
Finance, Inc.
U.S. Department of Energy
Kellee James,
SIS/MA ’04
Shanti Shoji,
SIS/MA ’09
Brent Pavia,
SIS/MA ’93
CEO
VP and Founding
Member
Member Relations
Director
Kizuna Across
Cultures
Minneapolis
Regional Chamber of Commerce
Anita Dey,
SIS/MA ’00
Jenee Sharon,
SIS/MA ’13
Branch Chief,
Regional and
Bilateral Affairs
Branch
Afghanistan
Program Assistant
Danielle
Goldberg,
SIS/MA ’04
Consultant
Inter-American
Development Bank
Mercaris
Federal Trade
Commission
22
U.S. Department of State
Program Officer
International Civil
Society Action
Network
School of International Service | Alumni
Jeremy Dastrup,
SIS/MA ’11
Special Agent
Naval Criminal
Investigative
Service
Third Secretary
Ministry of
Foreign Affairs of
the Kingdom of
Thailand
Patrick Kipalu,
SIS/MA ’10
Project Manager
Forest Peoples
Programme
Jordin Cohen,
SIS/MA ‘91
Zukhra Boyette,
SIS/MA ‘07
Doreen Parekh,
SIS/MA ’03
Director
Health Program
Specialist
Senior International
Trade Specialist
The World Bank
U.S. Department of Commerce
Aisha Bain,
SIS/MA ’07
Kevin Hagan,
SIS/MA ’97
Gail Spence,
SIS/MA ’85
Senior Program
Advisor
Chief Executive
Officer
Senior Alliance
Advisor
International
Rescue Committee
American Diabetes
Association
U.S. Agency for
International
Development
Charles
Bongomin,
SIS/MA ’06
Mary Jo Phamm,
SIS/MA ’13
Saji Prelis,
SIS/MA ’01
Foreign Service
Officer
Director, Children &
Youth Programs
Ministry of
Community and
Social Services
U.S. Department of State
Search for
Common Ground
Barbara
Steenstrup,
SIS/MA ’64
Jeff Franco,
SIS/MA ‘97
Noblis
Caseworker
Director
Steenstrup
Consulting
Services Ltd
LEARN MORE
Siriwan
Limsakul,
SIS/MA ’13
VP and Executive
Director
City Year DC
For more information please visit: www.american.edu/sis/alumni/profiles.cfm
23
Admissions
Required Materials
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Online Application
Transcripts
Résumé
Statement of Purpose
Letters of Recommendation
Applicable Test Scores
Application Fee
Learn more about visiting SIS,
upcoming events, and opportunities
to meet us on the road at
american.edu/sis/visit
Application Deadlines
PhD (Fall admission only) Master’s Programs
Fall semester Spring semester l
December 15
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(international applicants)
(domestic applicants)
Visit ironline.american.edu for deadlines for our online master’s programs.
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January 15
September 15 October 1 Master of International Service
July 1 (international applicants)
July 30 (domestic applicants)
November 1
International Studies Track Master of International Service
Please check with partner institution on the respective deadline.
SIS Graduate Fellowships
All PhD students are fully funded for 4 years.
About 20 percent of master’s students receive SIS incoming fellowship awards.
All applications complete by the deadline are considered for fellowships.
american.edu/sis/admissions
SIS Partners include:
24
School of International Service | Admissions
Mailing Address
(FOR APPLICATION MATERIALS
ONLY)
United States mail (USPS)
SIS Graduate Admissions
Office of Enrollment
4400 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20016-8081
Courier/Overnight service:
(FEDEX, UPS, DHL, etc.)
SIS Graduate Admissions
Office of Enrollment
3201 New Mexico Avenue, NW
STE B1
Washington, DC 20016-8081
USA
Email Address (FOR SUBMITTING
APPLICATION MATERIALS ONLY)
graduateadmissionsdocuments@
american.edu
If you have questions or would like
to schedule a campus visit, please
contact the SIS Office of Graduate
Enrollment Management.
sisgrad@american.edu american.edu/sis/admissions
School of International Service,
American University
3400 Nebraska Avenue, NW
Suite 112
Washington, DC 20016
Phone: 202-885-1646
Fax: 202-885-1109
4400 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20016
202-885-1646
american.edu/sis
What if
you joined
SIS alumni in
international
service?
Serge Okogo,
SIS/MA ‘14
Hu Di,
SIS/MS ‘11
Justis Tuia,
SIS/MA ‘09
Advisor to the
President of the
Gabonese Republic
Director of
International
Operations and
Institutional
Relations
Magnet Schools
Assistance Program
& ECHO Program
Manager
Global Volunteers
U.S. Department of Education
Emily Ham,
SIS/MA ‘15
Matthew Roscher
SIS/MA ‘13
Jorhena Thomas,
SIS/MA ‘04
Analyst
Associate
Consultant
Operations Manager
NATO Crisis
Management
Center
Grant Thornton LLP
Taiyi Sun,
SIS/MA ‘10
Karli Kloss,
SIS/MA ‘15
Lecturer, PhD candidate,
Presidential Fellow
Associate Analyst,
M Powered
Strategies
District of Columbia
Homeland Security
and Emergency
Management Agency