Online Master's Degree & Certificate Programs

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Premier Online Programs at AU:

Master of Arts in Strategic Communication

Create compelling messages for diverse audiences and formats.

Master of Public Administration and Policy

Stand out with skills in both policy analysis and management.

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN HEALTH PROMOTION MANAGEMENT

Help people and communities lead healthier lives.

What Our Students Say About AU Online

Cait Dalton, MA in Strategic Communication, '16

"...we have gotten to know each other just as we would on campus."

I have formed close friendships with my classmates, despite our distance and differing backgrounds, and worked closely with professors who are active and experienced in the communications industry. Each course has featured some level of group work and through those assignments and activities, we have gotten to know each other just as we would on campus.

Marissa Brown, Master of Public Administration and Policy, '18

"...a program that caters to my needs and positions me for my dream job."

I am eternally grateful for the opportunity in a program that caters to my needs and positions me for my dream job. American University’s reputation and ideal location provides the perfect environment. The School of Public Affairs transforms lives of students like myself to thrive in the public administration and policy fields.

Carolina Espinel, MS in Nutrition Education, '16

"...it has been wonderful to count on the instructor and other classmates' expertise."

Being online, it allowed me to pursue the MS all the way from Ecuador! Additionally, I have been able to work while studying. Of course it has been a challenging task, but the structure of the courses and the guidance of the instructors have ensured a rewarding academic experience. I realize work and study complement each other, and it has been wonderful to count on the instructor and other classmates’ expertise.

RALPH BROGDEN, MA IN STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION, '19

“I 100% recommend American's MASC program."

I 100% recommend American's MASC program. The quality of the professors and students is exceptional. If you apply yourself wholeheartedly you will be rigorously challenged and you will grow personally as well as professionally in this program. I was sad to see it end, which is one reason why I'm pursuing a PhD!

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Jackson McGehee, MA in Strategic Communication, '16

"The pressure to create a quality product was strong..."

I presented my practicum project to my client recently. She is the Director of Public Relations for a nonprofit children’s healthcare network. She has her Accreditation in Public Relations from the Public Relations Society of America and is very active in the Georgia chapter. The pressure to create a quality product was strong, but I had confidence in my work. The scope of the practicum was impressive. I was able to take a communications challenge, analyze the situation, define the target audience and identify objectives. After I developed clear, measurable objectives, I developed strategies and tactics to accomplish the objectives, and a plan to evaluate success. My client had a big smile on her face when I completed the presentation. She said the work was exactly the type taught through the APR certification process.

Alexis Rickford, MA in Strategic Communication, '16

"...it's been great to see first-hand how what I am learning in school is applied in the field."

When I first started my online Master’s in Strategic Communication at American University, I was just completing my Graduate Diploma at Concordia University in Montreal. AU was my first experience with online courses, so I wasn’t exactly sure what I was getting into. I was also moving back to the DC area and starting at new job at the Export-Import (EXIM) Bank of the United States. I was excited for this job, because this was my first time working in a communications department, so I was finally getting some work experience in the field. On the other hand, I was nervous that I was taking on too much between school and working full-time. I am not going to say it has been a walk in the park, but it has been great to be able to see first-hand how what I am learning in school is being applied in the field.