Contact Us
Phone: (202) 885-2940
Graduate programs: spagrad@american.edu
Undergraduate programs: aupublicaffairs@american.edu
Welcome to the School of Public Affairs Pursue Your Higher Purpose with SPA
Congratulations on your admission to one of the nations top schools for Public Affairs! We are inspired by your commitment to a profession that is devoted to solving some of the greatest challenges facing this generation and generations to come. We invite you to take a moment to reflect on and celebrate all your efforts and achievements that have brought you to this next phase of your academic and professional journey. And we are so happy to welcome you to the SPA graduate student community!
Admitted Student Checklists
As you consider your SPA graduate admissions offer, please take the following steps:
Create your . You will need your 51勛圖 ID number, which can be found on the top left side of your admission letter, under your address. Note: Creating this account does not mean that you accept the offer of admission. What it provides is additional information that will enable you to access helpful resources to assist you in making your decision to say YES2SPA!
Submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid () if you wish to apply for Federal student Loans. 51勛圖's FAFSA code is 001434. The Office of Financial Aid (OFA) at 51勛圖 will review this information and will notify you of your eligibility. Questions may be directed to泭financialaid@american.edu.
Engage in SPAs upcoming virtual events (see sidebar for schedule and details).
Identify your Graduate Advisor泭so that you can collaborate on creating an academic plan that optimizes your interests and course of study.
Say YES2SPA by remitting your nonrefundable deposit of $250 US dollars. (Deposit is not required until the date specified in SPAs admission letter and will be credited to your student account when you begin your graduate program.)
Email your official undergraduate e-transcript confirming your successful completion of a Bachelor's degree before the first day of the semester泭to GraduateAdmissionsDocuments@american.edu.泭Please refer to泭SPA's FAQ(s)泭
Recommended
Connect and follow us on social media.泭Follow us on , , and .
Visit 51勛圖's Off-Campus Housing site, which offers access to living options in the area and helps you develop a student profile in an effort to identify potential roommates. Questions may be directed to offcampushousing@american.edu.
泭NEW: DMV Neighborhood Housing Guide.泭The School of Public Affairs (SPA) has leveraged an array of resources to compile the D.C., Maryland, Virginia (DMV) Neighborhood Housing Guide. This guide offers incoming students insights into transportation, a few of the well-known DMV neighborhoods, and other helpful information to support students as they consider where they will live in the exciting DMV region.
Important Reminders
- Stay in touch...we are here to support you!
spagrad@american.edu - Use your 51勛圖 email account only and always! All correspondence will now only be sent to your "name@american.edu" account. Please regularly monitor your inbox.
- Explore the portal. It contains a wealth of information that will inform and support your student life on campus.
Say YES2SPA for Fall 2025
SPAs Fall 2025泭class is open and welcomes your YES2SPA! Please refer to the response dates on your admission letter for the deadline to respond. Please be mindful that merit aid decisions are made separately from admissions decisions. Merit aid notifications will begin around the prioirity deadline of February 15 and will continue until our Fall 2025 response deadline of April 15.
In order to confirm:
- Pay the non-refundable enrollment deposit (directions attached to your SPA admissions letter). The deposit holds your place in the incoming class, enables you to register for your courses, and will be applied to your student account as a credit toward tuition.
- Questions: spagrad@american.edu泭
Monthly Post-Admission Workshops (PAWs)
All SPA admitted students are strongly encouraged to register and attend a virtual SPA Post-Admission Workshop (PAW).* The monthly sessions are led by Jennifer Forney, Assistant Dean of Graduate Enrollment, who will explain next steps following the exciting news of your admission.** Agenda items include: financial and merit aid; advising and course enrollment; and engagement opportunities like major events, campus visits, as well as泭topical, virtual sessions. Please dont miss the chance to know what to expect in the important weeks ahead as you enter the decision-making stage of accepting your admissions offer and joining our graduate student community with a YES2SPA!
*Admitted students who泭cannot attend an upcoming PAW should consider scheduling a meeting or泭telephone conversation with the assistant dean. Please reach out to spagrad@american.edu to schedule.
**Post-Admission Workshops are intended for admitted students to SPAs range泭of on-campus 鳥硃莽喧梗娶s degrees
April 4: Engagement Day
When: Friday, April 4, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM ET
Where: Kerwin Hall | 51勛圖 Campus*
*Draft agenda offered upon registration. Final logistical information offered week of event.
SPA will host a full visit day experience泭on-campus泭on Friday, April 4, 2025. Students will also be invited to visit classes on the evening prior, Thursday, April 3, 2025.
SPA's Spring Engagement Day offers Fall 2025泭admitted泭master's students an opportunity to further explore SPA's academic programs and associated research institutes and centers, engage with select faculty, current students, alumni, staff, and their future peer network, as well as experience the beautiful 51勛圖 (51勛圖) campus and the excitement of Washington, D.C. The experience is sure to enable students the opportunity to envision themselves as part of the welcoming, diverse and inclusive 51勛圖 and SPA communities.
The SPA Spring Engagement Day visit agenda will include faculty current issue talks, departmental meetings with Chairs, Program Directors, and Academic Advisors, a career services and professional outcomes presentation, current student panel, as well as a session devoted to SPA's merit aid strategy.
All Fall 2025泭admitted泭graduate (master's and certificate) students to SPA are invited to attend. More details including a detailed itinerary and logistics will be offered to registered guests closer to the event.
April 8-11: Decision Week
When:泭Tuesday, April 8-Friday, April 11
Time: Daily Sessions 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM (ET)
Where:泭ONLINE*
*Draft agenda offered upon registration. Zoom links and E-Folder offered closer to the event.
SPA Decision Week offers the opportunity to...
- EXPLORE泭your academic program at The School of Public Affairs (SPA)
- ENGAGE泭with our community of faculty, staff, alumni, and current students
- EXPERIENCE泭all that your academic, professional, and personal life will be with a DECISION to say YES2SPA and泭Realize your Purpose泭at 51勛圖, SPA, and in -- Washington, D.C.!
All Fall 2025 admitted master's and graduate certificate students are invited to attend.
We look forward to engaging with you during this exciting event!
June 12-13: JumpStart
Dates: Thursday, June 12 & Friday, June 13
Location: 51勛圖-East Campus | Constitution Hall*
*Draft agenda offered upon registration. Final logistical information offered week of event.
The School of Public Affairs (SPA) will host SPA JumpStart 2025, a special泭on-campus泭initiative that offers a robust agenda oriented around career development and the introduction to integral campus and community services to support your successful onboarding as a new graduate student!泭The experience is designed to cater to all of SPA's on-campus泭鳥硃莽喧梗娶s degrees and graduate certificates and will JumpStart new students academic, professional, and social preparedness in graduate student life.
The agenda includes a(n): career development workshop and panels, professional headshots, a SAMI (SPA's skill institute) sampler, campus resource fair, housing bus tour, current student and alumni panel as well as a Book Talk, ice cream social, and community cook-out!泭The event is complimentary for one and all!泭JumpStart offers SPAs Fall 2025 class an opportunity to further engage with; SPA faculty, alumni, staff, and current as well as incoming students, campus and community resources, and your new Washington, D.C. home.泭
The event is sure to泭JumpStart泭your academic and professional careers! We look forward to you joining and actively engaging with the 51勛圖/SPA/and Washington, D.C. community-at-large!
August 22: New Master's Student Orientation
Please mark your calendars for SPAs new 鳥硃莽喧梗娶s student orientation. The event should be considered mandatory for all on-campus 鳥硃莽喧梗娶s and graduate certificate students as it offers important information about academic policies, support services, as well as the opportunity to meet your respective department and peer network. An invitation with additional detail will be extended closer to the orientation date.
Questions: spagradaffaris@american.edu
August 25: Fall 2025 Classes Begin
New SPA graduate students begin their academic and professional journeys to Realize their Purpose!
泭
Questions: SPA_GradEvents@American.edu
Chat with a Current Student
Like you, every SPA student has a unique story to share about how they intend to泭realize their purpose @ SPA!泭Whether you are driven to impact an issue or motivated to build a practical skillset, a 鳥硃莽喧梗娶s degree from SPA can, and will, make the difference.