The School of International Service (SIS) is American University's school of advanced international study, covering areas such as international politics,

international communication International communication (also referred to as the '' study of global communication'' or transnational communication) is the communication practice that occurs across international borders. The need for international communication was due to th ...

international development International development or global development is a broad concept denoting the idea that societies and countries have differing levels of economic development, economic or human development (humanity), human development on an international scal ...

international economics International economics is concerned with the effects upon economic activity from international differences in productive resources and consumer preferences and the international institutions that affect them. It seeks to explain the patterns and ...

, peace and conflict resolution,

international law International law (also known as public international law and the law of nations) is the set of rules, norms, and standards generally recognized as binding between states. It establishes normative guidelines and a common conceptual framework for ...

and

human rights Human rights are moral principles or normsJames Nickel, with assistance from Thomas Pogge, M.B.E. Smith, and Leif Wenar, 13 December 2013, Stanford Encyclopedia of PhilosophyHuman Rights Retrieved 14 August 2014 for certain standards of hu ...

, global environmental politics, and U.S. foreign policy. The School of International Service was established in 1957 and has an alumni network of over 20,000. SIS enrolls more than 3,000 students from over 150 countries. The school makes extensive use of the academic and governmental resources offered by its location in Washington, D.C. The School of International Service consistently ranks highly among international relations programs. SIS is a member of the Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs. SIS also has partnerships with schools such as the

Balsillie School of International Affairs The Balsillie School of International Affairs (BSIA) is a centre for advanced research and teaching on global governance and international public policy, located in Waterloo, Ontario. As one of the largest social sciences initiatives in Canada, t ...

History

The founding of schools of international affairs was urged by

President President most commonly refers to: *President (corporate title) * President (education), a leader of a college or university *President (government title) President may also refer to: Automobiles * Nissan President, a 1966–2010 Japanese f ...

Dwight D. Eisenhower during the height of the Cold War. His initiative called together thirteen University presidents, including AU's

Hurst Robins Anderson Hurst Robins Anderson (September 16, 1904 – April 19, 1989) was president of American University from 1952 until 1968, during which he oversaw one of the institution's most important periods of growth and development. He was previously a faculty m ...

, encouraging them to create human-focused international affairs programs dedicated to preparing practitioners for foreign policy beyond the U.S.–Soviet rivalry. In response, SIS was founded with the mission to establish a school based on service to the global community. In 1958, the school admitted its first full-time class, replacing AU's Department of International Relations. The class consisted of 85 students representing 36 countries. In 1967, SIS added its International Communications program, the first such program offered by an American

university A university () is an institution of higher (or tertiary) education and research which awards academic degrees in several academic disciplines. ''University'' is derived from the Latin phrase ''universitas magistrorum et scholarium'', which ...

. In 1981 SIS inaugurated the

Ibn Khaldun Ibn Khaldun (; ar, أبو زيد عبد الرحمن بن محمد بن خلدون الحضرمي, ; 27 May 1332 – 17 March 1406, 732-808 AH) was an Arab The Historical Muhammad', Irving M. Zeitlin, (Polity Press, 2007), p. 21; "It is, o ...

Chair A chair is a type of seat, typically designed for one person and consisting of one or more legs, a flat or slightly angled seat and a back-rest. They may be made of wood, metal, or synthetic materials, and may be padded or upholstered in vari ...

Islamic Studies Islamic studies refers to the academic study of Islam, and generally to academic multidisciplinary "studies" programs—programs similar to others that focus on the history, texts and theologies of other religious traditions, such as Easter ...

to address concerns that American universities lacked an appropriate venue for exploring the greater Muslim-Western understanding. In the 1990s, SIS established dual degree programs with

Ritsumeikan University is a private university in Kyoto, Japan, that traces its origin to 1869. With the Kinugasa Campus (KIC) in Kyoto, and Kyoto Prefecture, the university also has a satellite called Biwako-Kusatsu Campus (BKC) and Osaka-Ibaraki Campus (OIC). Tod ...

Kyoto, Japan Kyoto (; Japanese: , ''Kyōto'' ), officially , is the capital city of Kyoto Prefecture in Japan. Located in the Kansai region on the island of Honshu, Kyoto forms a part of the Keihanshin metropolitan area along with Osaka and Kobe. , the ci ...

and

Korea University Korea University (KU, ) is a private research university in Seoul, South Korea, established in 1905. The university is included as one of the SKY universities, a popular acronym referring to Korea's three most prestigious universities. T ...

in Seoul, Korea. In 1991, SIS added the Center for the Global South, followed in 1995 by the addition of the Mohammed Said Farsi Chair in Islamic Peace, and in 2000 with a joint program on National Resources and Sustainable Development with the United Nations University for Peace. New degree options implemented in 2010 include the Global Scholars Program, a concentrated three-year B.A. program, an M.A. program in Social Enterprise, and, in partnership with the

U.S. Peace Corps The Peace Corps is an independent agency and program of the United States government that trains and deploys volunteers to provide international development assistance. It was established in March 1961 by an executive order of President John F. ...

, a Master's International degree combining a Peace Corps assignment with SIS academic work.

New building

In 2004, plans were initiated for a new, , academic building designed by architect

William McDonough William Andrews McDonough is an American architect, designer, and author. McDonough is founding principal of William McDonough + Partners, co-founder of McDonough MBDC, and co-author of '' Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things'' ...

, which was completed in spring 2010. It is a

LEED Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is a green building certification program used worldwide. Developed by the non-profit U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), it includes a set of rating systems for the design, constructio ...

Gold-certified building, featuring of photovoltaic solar panels, low-flow faucets to reduce water consumption, and three solar water heating systems.

SIS publications

Clocks and Clouds
is American University's undergraduate journal of international affairs.
The Journal of International Service
is American University's graduate journal of international affairs.
Intercultural Management Quarterly
is published by th
Intercultural Management Institute
which provides customized training for effective communication, negotiation, and leadership across cultures.

Academics

Bachelor's degrees

The School of International Service offers a

Bachelor of Arts Bachelor of arts (BA or AB; from the Latin ', ', or ') is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate program in the arts, or, in some cases, other disciplines. A Bachelor of Arts degree course is generally completed in three or four yea ...

in International Studies. The School also allows undergraduate students to earn a minor in International Studies as well as undergraduate certificates in either European Studies and International Studies.

Master's degrees

The School of International Service offers the following

master's degree A master's degree (from Latin ) is an academic degree awarded by universities or colleges upon completion of a course of study demonstrating mastery or a high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice.

s: *

Master of Science A Master of Science ( la, Magisterii Scientiae; abbreviated MS, M.S., MSc, M.Sc., SM, S.M., ScM or Sc.M.) is a master's degree in the field of science awarded by universities in many countries or a person holding such a degree. In contrast ...

in Development Management *

Master of Arts A Master of Arts ( la, Magister Artium or ''Artium Magister''; abbreviated MA, M.A., AM, or A.M.) is the holder of a master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The degree is usually contrasted with that of Master of Science. ...

in Ethics, Peace, and Human Rights * Master of Arts in Global Environmental Policy * Master of Arts in International Affairs (with a concentration in Comparative and Regional Studies; Global Governance, Politics, and Security; International Economic Relations; Natural Resources and Sustainable Development; or United States Foreign Policy and National Security) *Master of Arts in International Affairs Policy and Analysis * Master of Arts in Intercultural and International Communication * Master of Arts in

International Development International development or global development is a broad concept denoting the idea that societies and countries have differing levels of economic development, economic or human development (humanity), human development on an international scal ...

* Master of Arts in International Economics Relations * Master of Arts in International Economics Relations: Quantitative Methods * Master of Arts in International Peace and Conflict Resolution * Master of Arts in

International Relations International relations (IR), sometimes referred to as international studies and international affairs, is the Scientific method, scientific study of interactions between sovereign states. In a broader sense, it concerns all activities betwe ...

(only available online) * Master of Arts in Social Enterprise SIS also offers several combined degrees: * Combined

/Master of Arts (BA/MA) (for current American University undergraduate students only) *

Juris Doctor The Juris Doctor (J.D. or JD), also known as Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D., JD, D.Jur., or DJur), is a graduate-entry professional degree in law and one of several Doctor of Law degrees. The J.D. is the standard degree obtained to practice l ...

/Master of Arts in International Affairs (with a concentration in International Affairs) (with American's

Washington College of Law The American University Washington College of Law (AUWCL or WCL) is the law school of American University, a private research university in Washington, D.C. It is located on the western side of Tenley Circle in the Tenleytown section of no ...

) * Master of Arts in International Affairs/

Master of Business Administration A Master of Business Administration (MBA; also Master's in Business Administration) is a postgraduate degree focused on business administration. The core courses in an MBA program cover various areas of business administration such as accou ...

* Master of Arts in International Peace and Conflict Resolution/

Master of Arts in Teaching The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) or Master of Science in Teaching (MST) degree is generally a pre-service degree that usually requires a minimum of 30 semester hours beyond the bachelor's degree. While the program often requires education c ...

* Master of Arts International Peace and Conflict Resolution/ Master of Theological Studies * Dual Master of Arts in Natural Resources and Sustainable Development (with the University for Peace) The School also has programs with

, and Sookmyung University. Information on dual-degree, semester, or summer/intersession study abroad programs are available on the Office of International Programs website.

Ph.D. program

The Ph.D. program in International Relations at SIS prepares students for careers as teachers and scholars at universities and research institutes in the private and public sectors. Ph.D. field concentrations include Development Studies; Global Environment; Global Governance & International Organizations; Peace & Conflict Resolution; Political Violence; Security; Technology, Culture & Social Change; and United States Foreign Policy and National Security.

Executive master's degree

In this program, experienced international affairs professionals are able to broaden their knowledge, enhance their intellectual development, expand their professional effectiveness, and strengthen their international leadership skills and knowledge. One can construct an individually tailored program of study from among the school's eight disciplines: * Comparative and Regional Studies * Global Environmental Politics * International Communication * International Development * International Economic Relations * International Politics and Foreign Policy * International Peace and Conflict Resolution * U.S. Foreign Policy

Graduate certificates

SIS Graduate Certificate Programs: * Comparative and Regional Studies * Cross-Cultural Communication * European Studies * Global Environmental Policy * Global Information Technology * International Arts Management * International Communication * International Economic Policy * International Economic Relations * International Peace and Conflict Resolution * International Politics * Peacebuilding * The Americas * United States Foreign Policy

Online Programs

American University's School of International Service offers two online international relations degrees: a Master of Arts in International Relations (MAIR) and an Executive Master of International Service (MIS). The MAIR program features live online classes and five concentrations, including Global Security, International Development, and International Negotiation and Conflict Resolution. The Executive MIS degree is designed for professionals with seven or more years of experience in the fields of international affairs or international service.

Research and learning centers

ASEAN Studies Center

Bridging the Gap

Center for Latin American and Latino Studies

Center for Global Peace

Center for Research on Collaboratories and Technology Enhanced Learning Communities (COTELCO)

Forum for Climate Engineering Assessment

Institute on Disability and Public Policy

Intercultural Management Institute

International Affairs Research Institute

Public International Law and Policy Program

Transnational Challenges and Emerging Nations Dialogue

US-Pakistan Women's Council

Notable faculty

Notable current and former SIS faculty include: * Mohammed Abu-Nimer – expert on conflict-resolution and the politics of the Middle East *

Amitav Acharya Amitav Acharya (born 1962) is an Indian-born Canadian scholar and author, who is Distinguished Professor of International Relations at American University, Washington, D.C., where he holds the UNESCO Chair in Transnational Challenges and Gover ...

–

UNESCO The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) aimed at promoting world peace and security through international cooperation in education, arts, sciences and culture. I ...

Chair in Transnational Challenges and Governance * Akbar S. Ahmed – former Ambassador of Pakistan to the United Kingdom * George Ayittey – President of the

Free Africa Foundation The Free Africa Foundation is a Washington, D.C.-based think tank founded by Ghanaian economist George Ayittey which criticizes corruption, oppression, and mismanagement in African governments, and advocates for democratic reform. Its board incl ...

; political economics professor * Robert A. Blecker – economist specializing in macroeconomics and international trade theory *

Edmund Ghareeb Edmund Ghareeb (Born in Aita al-Foukhar; ar, إدموند غريب) is a Lebanese-American scholar at the American University in Washington and a professor at George Washington University's Elliott School of International Affairs. He earned a ...

– Lebanese-American scholar specializing in Middle East politics *

James Goldgeier James M. Goldgeier is a professor of international relations at the School of International Service at American University in Washington, D.C., where he served as dean from 2011 to 2017. He became dean in August 2011. Previously he was employed ...

– foreign policy scholar specializing in American foreign policy, including US-Russia relations * Louis W. Goodman - international relations scholar, specializing in Latin America *

Frank William La Rue Frank La Rue (born 1952) is a Guatemalan labor and human rights law expert and served as UN Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of the Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression, from August 2008 to August 2014. Along with Americ ...

– UN Special Rapporteur and human rights scholar-activist *

Charles Malik Charles Habib Malik (sometimes spelled ''Charles Habib Malik''; 11 February 1906 – 28 December 1987; ar, شارل مالك) was a Lebanese academic, diplomat, philosopher, and politician. He served as the Lebanese representative to the United N ...

– former president of the

United Nations Economic and Social Council The United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC; french: links=no, Conseil économique et social des Nations unies, ) is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations, responsible for coordinating the economic and social fields ...

Renee Marlin-Bennett Renee Marlin-Bennett (born September 29, 1959), is a professor of Political Science at Johns Hopkins University. Her research on global problems probes power, information flows, borders, and bodies. The research draws upon approaches from internatio ...

– expert on global political economy * Hamid Mowlana – Iranian-American advisor and academic * Orlando Letelier – Chilean economist and diplomat * James H. Mittelman – expert on globalization and development *

Anthony C. E. Quainton Anthony Cecil Eden Quainton (born April 4, 1934) is an American diplomat who served as the United States ambassador to the United States Ambassador to the Central African Empire, Central African Empire, Nicaragua, Kuwait, and Peru. Early life an ...

– United States Ambassador to the Central African Empire, Kuwait, Nicaragua, and Peru; United States Coordinator for Counterterrorism *

Arturo C. Porzecanski Arturo C. Porzecanski is a Uruguayan-born economist who has spent his entire adult life in the United States. Early life Born (November 2, 1949) and raised in Montevideo, Uruguay, of European Jewish immigrant parents, Porzecanski came to the U ...

– Distinguished Economist-in-Residence; Professor and Program Director of the MA in International Economic Relations; investor * Andrew E. Rice – founder of the Society for International Development * Susan Rice – the 24th United States National Security Advisor from 2013 to 2017 during the Barack Obama Administration. She was formerly a U.S. diplomat, Brookings Institution fellow, and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. She served on the staff of the National Security Council and as Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs during President Bill Clinton's second term. * Abdul Aziz Said – foreign affairs scholar specializing in diplomacy Islamic world *

David J. Saposs David Joseph Saposs (February 22, 1886 – November 13, 1968) was an 20th-century American economist, labor historian, and civil servant, best known as chief economist of the National Labor Relations Board (1935–1940). Background David Sapo ...

– economist and historian; former chief economist of the

National Labor Relations Board The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is an independent agency of the federal government of the United States with responsibilities for enforcing U.S. labor law in relation to collective bargaining and unfair labor practices. Under the Nati ...

Cathy Schneider Cathy Lisa Schneider is an American author and professor of democracy and dictatorship; comparative social movements; political violence; and policing. She is a professor at the American University School of International Service. Education Schn ...

– author and professor of urban politics, comparative social movements, and criminal justice * Stephen Silvia – scholar of international economics, international trade relations, and comparative politics (with emphasis on Germany and United States) *

Roger Tangri Roger Tangri (born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1941) is a British as well as United States citizen. He is a political scientist and Africanist with an expertise in the politics of Ghana and Uganda. Tangri has previously taught at the University of Bot ...

– British-American scholar of African politics *

Irene Tinker Irene Tinker (born March 8, 1927, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin), is professor emerita in the Departments of City and Regional Planning & Women's Studies at the University of California, Berkeley, teaching from 1989 to 1998. She was the founding Board p ...

– expert on comparative global development; founding Board president of the International Center for Research on Women *

Celeste A. Wallander Celeste Ann Wallander (born 1961) is an American international relations advisor who currently serves as assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs at the United States Department of Defense. Education Wallander receive ...

– professor; specialist on military and energy in Russia/Eurasia region; member of the

Council on Foreign Relations The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) is an American think tank specializing in U.S. foreign policy and international relations. Founded in 1921, it is a nonprofit organization that is independent and nonpartisan. CFR is based in New York Ci ...

; *

Paul R. Williams Paul Revere Williams, FAIA (February 18, 1894 – January 23, 1980) was an American architect based in Los Angeles, California. He practiced mostly in Southern California and designed the homes of numerous celebrities, including Frank Sina ...

– human rights lawyer and President of the

Public International Law & Policy Group The Public International Law & Policy Group (PILPG) is a non-profit organization, operating as a global ''pro bono'' law firm providing free legal assistance to developing states and sub-state entities involved in conflicts. PILPG also provides ...

* Ibram X. Kendi - scholar of race and discriminatory policy in America * Earl Anthony Wayne - Formerly

Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs The Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs is an office in the United States Department of State The United States Department of State (DOS), or State Department, is an United States federal executive departments, exec ...

and Ambassador to Argentina and Mexico

Notes

External links

School of International Service
{{Authority control American University Schools of international relations in the United States Public policy schools Educational institutions established in 1957 1957 establishments in Washington, D.C.