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Our PhD programs position students in the national center of influence and relevancy. Here in our nation's capital, they dive into research that addresses today's most pressing challenges and produce scholarship with real-world connection and immediate impact.
Our doctoral programs are full-time, cohort-based degrees that draw from the breadth and depth of resources across American University. This rigorous training is rooted in contemporary theory, principles, practices, and research methods in public administration and policy; government and politics; and justice, law, and criminology. Students come to American University for the chance to study firsthand with experts and work closely with prominent scholars whose cutting-edge research activities and professional roles play key roles in national and global issues.
We pride ourselves on growing the next generation of leading scholars. Indeed, we encourage students throughout the course of their graduate careers to present papers at major academic conferences, co-author papers with faculty members, publish in top journals, and seek prestigious awards. By the time our students complete the program, they have already produced methodologically sound, socially relevant research advancing knowledge and theory. They are prepared for university teaching and research or a career as an authority and leader within their respective fields.
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More Information About Doctoral Programs
PhD Justice, Law & Criminology
Prepare for university teaching and research, and a career as an authority and leader in these fields.
PhD Political Science
Dive deeply into the policy and politics of official Washington and produce meaningful research with profound impact.
PhD Public Administration & Policy
Produce methodologically sound, socially relevant research that makes important contributions to knowledge and theory.
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Choose a Program of Interest BA/MA in Political Communication BA/MA in Political Science BA/MS in Data Science BA/MS in Justice, Law, and Criminology BA/MS in Terrorism and Homeland Security Policy BA/Master of Public Administration BA/Master of Public Policy Graduate Certificate in Executive Leadership Graduate Certificate in Leadership for Organizational Change Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management Graduate Certificate in Public Financial Management Graduate Certificate in Public Management Graduate Certificate in Public Policy Analysis Graduate Certificate in Women, Policy, and Political Leadership JD/Master of Public Administration JD/Master of Public Policy JD/Master of Science in Justice, Law, and Criminology Key Executive Leadership Master of Public Administration LLM/Master of Public Administration LLM/Master of Public Policy Master of Arts in Political Communication Master of Arts in Political Science Master of Public Administration Master of Public Administration and Policy (Online) Master of Public Policy Master of Science in Counter-Terrorism and Homeland Security (Online) Master of Science in Data Science Master of Science in Justice, Law, and Criminology Master of Science in Terrorism and Homeland Security Policy PhD in Justice, Law, and Criminology PhD in Political Science PhD in Public Administration & Policy
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