Undergraduate Academic Accelerator Pathway (2-Term) - Bachelor of Arts International Studies - Peace, Global Security, and Conflict Resolution

at Shorelight Group - American University USA

The Peace, Global Security, and Conflict Resolution Thematic Area explores the causes and consequences of war as they relate to competing understandings of peace and security. Courses in this area help students assess the choices as well as challenges involved in preventing, resolving, and managing conflict. Students engage theories and historical cases from international security, strategic studies, human security, peace studies, and conflict resolution to conceptualize war and insecurity. The gateway course begins this journey by establishing the broader philosophical traditions associated with competing schools of thought. Students examine the different definitions of peace, security, and conflict as well as general patterns of violence and insecurity in the world. The course builds on this foundation by introducing students to the dynamics of political violence and different peacebuilding and conflict resolution mechanisms.

You’ll develop your own artistic direction and self-expression through a liberal arts curriculum that includes hands-on courses in painting, sculpture, video, and digital photography. Here, students exhibit their work in the Katzen Arts Center alongside high-profile artists from around the world. 

Get some insight into how your mind works and improve your understanding of others. You’ll study clinical, social, personality, developmental, behavioral, and cognitive neuroscience, learning, and memory. Much of your learning will happen experientially, in the lab, or in the community. Contribute to departmental research. Internships at one of DC’s numerous mental health agencies is a short Metro ride away. 

Get the tools you need to tackle modern challenges in criminal justice and criminology, terrorism and homeland security, and justice and law. Our faculty comprise some of the nation’s foremost experts. Learn from policymakers who are facing the most pressing security concerns. Deepen your understanding with an internship at the FBI, US Customs, Secret Service, or Department of Homeland Security.

The BS in statistics features two tracks: data science and mathematical statistics. The former is for students with a strong interest in the field of application, who want to gain the skills to collect, analyze and use data to drive decisions. The latter is for those with an interest in the theory of statistical methods. 

Environmental science is more important today than ever before. American University's Master of Science in Environmental Science gives students the knowledge and leadership skills to confront pressing environmental challenges facing the world, from climate change to renewable energy to food and water security.

The program will prepare you for careers in science, research, environmental policy, and advocacy. With advanced coursework in climate modeling, geochemistry, conservation, and the statistics necessary to inform science-based policy, the program prepares students to engage in high-level environmental problem-solving and to develop innovative solutions to critically important environmental issues.

Combine business and STEM courses to develop an analytical skill set for the modern business world. Learn from top-credentialed faculty interested in your success. Specialize in accounting, analytics, entrepreneurship, finance, information systems and technology, international business, management, or marketing. Gain real-world experience by solving problems for local businesses or interning at DC’s many financial institutions, consulting firms, and policy institutes.

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.

Combine business and STEM courses to develop an analytical skill set for the modern business world. Learn from top-credentialed faculty interested in your success. Specialize in accounting, analytics, entrepreneurship, finance, information systems and technology, international business, management, or marketing. Gain real-world experience by solving problems for local businesses or interning at DC’s many financial institutions, consulting firms, and policy institutes.

Neuroscience is a rapidly growing, interdisciplinary field, including psychology, chemistry, biology, physics, and mathematics/computer science. You’ll study biological and chemical mechanisms of both typical and atypical brain functions with faculty experts in behavioral, computational, and cognitive neuroscience. You achieve depth in the field through upper-level specialization and research experience, and develop breadth by selecting courses from a range of electives.