| School of International Service, American University | |
|---|---|
| Established | 1957 |
| Type | Private |
| Dean | James M. Goldgeier |
| Academic staff | 86 (full-time)[1] |
| Students | 2,200 (undergraduate)/ 800 (graduate) |
| Location | Washington, District of Columbia, United States |
| Campus | Urban |
| Nickname | SIS |
| Website | american.edu/sis |
The School of International Service (SIS) is American University's school of advanced international study in the areas of international politics, international communication, development, international economic relations, peace and conflict resolution, global environmental politics, and U.S. foreign policy.
SIS is the largest school of international relations in the United States, enrolling 3,000 students from over 150 countries. Home to some of the most respected researchers and educators in the field of international relations, the school makes extensive use of the valuable academic and governmental resources offered by the university's location in Washington, D.C. Students are offered a myriad of opportunities by the thousands of public and international organizations located in Washington, D.C., and around the world.
SIS is consistently ranked in conjunction with American University's School of Public Affairs as the top ten such programs in the country by U.S. News & World Report's college and university rankings.
SIS is a member of The Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs.
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The founding of SIS was urged by President Dwight D. Eisenhower during the height of the Cold War. President Eisenhower's initiative called together thirteen University presidents, including AU's Hurst Anderson, encouraging them to create human-focused international affairs programs dedicated to preparing practitioners for foreign policy beyond the U.S.–Soviet rivalry.
SIS was created with the following mission in mind: to establish a school predicated on service to the global community. In 1957, ground was broken by Eisenhower and in 1958 SIS admitted its first full-time class, thus replacing AU's Department of International Relations. The first matriculating class of SIS consisted of 85 students representing 36 countries.
In 1967, SIS added its International Communications program—the first such program offered by an American university. Constantly adapting to the demands of the changing international system, in 1981 SIS inaugurated the Ibn Khaldun Chair of Islamic Studies 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 in Kyoto, Japan and Korea University in Seoul, Korea in recognition of the importance of education that embraces varied cultures. In 1991, SIS added the Center for the Global South to raise awareness and devise solutions for the problems affecting the most impoverished regions of the world. This was 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, through a partnership with the U.S. Peace Corps, a Master's International degree, which combines a Peace Corps assignment with SIS academic work.
In 2004, plans were initiated for the building of a new, 70,000-square-foot (6,500 m2), academic building on the quad of AU's campus, and the building was completed in spring 2010. It is a LEED Gold-certified building, featuring 3,230 square feet (300 m2) of photovoltaic solar panels, low-flow faucets to reduce water consumption, and the first building in Washington, D.C. to feature three solar water heating systems. Designed by architect William McDonough, the new building supposedly reflects the School of International Service's alleged commitment to advancing ecological stewardship, preserving transparency and human dignity, and working for social justice.
The Diplomatic Pouch highlights upcoming events, undergraduate and graduate news, and SIS alumni activities.
The Journal of International Service is American University's graduate journal of international affairs.
The Eagle is AU's official student-run newspaper.
Intercultural Management Quarterly is published by the Intercultural Management Institute, which provides customized training for effective communication, negotiation and leadership across cultures.
Admission to SIS is highly competitive. Applications can be submitted online, and require the completed application, a current resume, a statement of purpose, the application fee, official transcripts, and two letters of recommendation.
The School of International Service offers the following master's degrees:
SIS also offers several combined degrees:
The School also has programs with Ritsumeikan University, Korea University, and Sookmyung University. Information on dual-degree, semester, or summer/intersession study abroad programs are available.
The Ph.D program at SIS prepares students for careers as teachers and scholars at universities and research institutes in the private and public sectors.
The curriculum offers preparation in the foundational fields of transnational study: Comparative and Regional Studies, International Relations and Social Theory. Once students acquire a firm foundation, they have considerable opportunities for pursuing further study with depth and focus. SIS offers programs in Comparative and Regional Studies, International Communication, International Development, International Economic Policy, International Peace and Conflict Resolution, International Politics, Global Environmental Policy and United States Foreign Policy.
Through 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.
After completion of the program, graduate will have both the skills and the certification to meet the demands of executive level service in the dynamic private, public, and not-for-profit sectors.
As a Master of International Service candidate, one will join other mid-career professionals in a unique two course sequence, the Proseminar in International Affairs I & II.
Proseminar I provides an overview of new developments in international affairs; it connects theory and practice at the executive level in international affairs. Proseminar II focuses on professional strategies for coping with change and professional skills enhancement.
The Proseminars host key public and private sector executives to exchange ideas with students on their areas of responsibility.
One can construct a uniquely-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
SIS Graduate Certificate Programs:
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