Undergraduate Academic Accelerator Pathway (2-Term) - Bachelor of Arts in Political Science

at Shorelight Group - American University USA

The Global Inequality and Development Thematic Area directly addresses issues concerning the theory and practice of achieving equitable and sustainable human development. Courses will encompass a broad examination of issues related to poverty and inequality as they intersect with urban and rural geographies, the built and natural environment, food systems, conflict, education, gender, youth and development, and possibilities for bilateral and multilateral cooperation. This area will include historical analysis of the field of development studies from colonialism through the present with a focus on understanding and analyzing conflicts, shared goals, and normative values embedded in development objectives. Students will become equipped to understand and analyze the multiple causes and consequences of development and inequality, and will become better equipped to understand the mechanisms of governance best able to respond to these challenges.

The Photography BA program is for students interested in all forms of photography, from fine art to photojournalism. Combining the resources and expertise of AU's Department of Art, College of Arts and Sciences, and the School of Communication, the program includes historical, theoretical, and practical approaches to photography.

Students study the evolution of photography, and can gain hands-on experience in darkrooms and digital editing labs. Students who complete the program understand the why and how of photography's adoption by fine artists, commercial studios, and the general public; and photography's changing role in the greater art world. Students relate technical developments in the medium to aesthetic and conceptual developments, citing movements and trends that also coincided with a broader art history. Through a final project and exhibition, students delve into a relevant topic of their choice and analyze it through a specific socio-cultural lens.

The US is experiencing an acute shortage of qualified cybersecurity professionals. Well-trained professionals who can wield mathematical models to protect sensitive data are in growing demand. Our MA program combines the study of applied mathematics, data science, and information technology. Our DC location allows students to gain valuable job experience while earning graduate credit.

The courses that constitute the Justice, Ethics, and Human Rights Thematic Area wrestle with the thorny issues of justice, equality, and human rights. How do we create more just societies? What are the conditions that promote or impede collective violence and mass murder? What kinds of peace settlements are long lasting? Can we protect human rights and simultaneously reduce poverty and inequality? What kinds of criminal and transitional justice systems are both fair and effective at reducing abuse? Students in the program will learn about an array of empirical cases and master the pertinent theoretical and ethical debates.

The Arabic Program offers skill level courses, ranging from the elementary to the advanced levels, and topics courses introducing the students to key themes, texts, and figures of the modern and premodern Arab world. Our mission is to help students attain proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking the Arabic language. At the same time, since language reflects culture, we work with our students toward a higher degree of cultural proficiency. We achieve our goals through activities introducing the students to culturally authentic materials and by using a variety of resources, tools, and technologies. Arabic communication between instructor and students is a regular feature in our classes. While the primary focus in our courses is on Modern Standard Arabic, we integrate colloquial Arabic (Levantine or Egyptian dialect) into our language instruction at the skill level courses, in order to help our students develop a broader range of conversational skills.

Our Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) program prepares students for rewarding careers in all facets of the field, from nonprofit to forensic accounting.

Whether you're advancing your career, transitioning to a new one, or just starting out, the MSA program will put you on track to compete in a flourishing field – one that's projected to increase by 22 percent in the next decade. The MSA curriculum focuses on various accounting topics - including auditing, forensic investigation, business ethics, information systems, and more - to develop the leadership qualities and data-utilization skills you'll need to excel in the industry.

Public Relations. It's a field built on ideas and images, persuasion and information, strategy and tactics. From studios promoting films to companies burnishing their images to advocates promoting social causes, public relations is at the heart of our economy, society, and politics. No policy or product can succeed without a smart message targeted to the right audience in creative and innovative ways. The ability to communicate strategically is what our Public Relations and Strategic Communication program is all about.

Our goal is to educate you not only in the most recent trends, but in the type of thinking that will set you apart from your peers. Through courses, internships, and hands-on work, we empower you with the strategic tools and insights that rival what professionals learn after years of experience.

Researching or doing a project on a political issue or environmental cause? We'll send you out to speak with key influencers so that you can weave that knowledge into your coursework. You may even have a chance to work with real-life clients. Some of the biggest names in Washington, DC from speechwriters to high-level professionals are guest lecturers in our classes. PR firms, international organizations, health care companies, congressional offices and advocacy groups all welcome our students as interns. You'll build a network of professionals that will enhance your learning and accelerate your career.

The BS in Health Promotion provides rigorous academic preparation in the scientific and clinical knowledge of human anatomy and physiology, nutrition, exercise physiology, and health psychology combined with aspects of health communication and programming.  Drawing upon behavior change theory and health sciences, health promotion is a discipline dedicated to supporting healthy lifestyles. This curriculum prepares students for a health promotion position in a corporate, community, commercial, or school environment, or for graduate work in a health-related field.

Are you interested in:

• Establishing and managing wellness programs for employees and their families?
• Developing effective media campaigns for emerging health issues?
• Helping clients achieve fitness and nutrition goals?
• Researching health policy and establishing state and national programs?
• Integrating health promotion and disease management activities into the healthcare system?
• Instituting innovative community-outreach programs?
• Advocating for health issues and promoting wellness in communities?

Our MA in political science will help build your expertise in campaign management and public affairs advocacy. You’ll have opportunities to research how America’s political system influences public policy, and gain hands-on experience interning on Capitol Hill and on the K Street lobbyist corridor. You’ll network with and learn from guest speakers well known in American politics. 

MS taxation program is the only one of its kind offered in the Washington, DC area. This program offers the versatile and practical experience you need to excel in the tax world. Our faculty are both mentors and practitioners — many of whom hold high-level positions at PwC, Deloitte, and EY.

You'll develop and deepen your knowledge of federal and state tax codes, emerging from the program prepared to succeed in all areas of the field.