Undergraduate Extended Accelerator Pathway (3-Term) - Bachelor of Arts in Foreign Language and Communication Media

at Shorelight Group - American University USA

This program is designed to give you the breadth of background necessary in these four disciplines to participate effectively in decision making in the public arena, especially the practical training necessary to deal with social problems as public issues.

The Religious Studies (BA) major at American University prepares students for careers across diverse fields by exploring how religion informs, influences, and directs social action and thought. Because “religion” pervades all aspects of life, our major allows students to focus on specific areas of interest, grounding religion in an historical and pluralistic framework while also bringing the topic into the modern world, recognizing how religion continues to shape politics, international relations, law, education, and economics.

The Religious Studies major is inclusive, investigating religion through diverse methodologies like critical theory, feminism and womanism, psychology, philosophy, and lived religion. Studying religion at American University expands students’ worldview, preparing them to be community leaders and changemakers.

MS in biotechnology opens the door to meaningful and innovative careers that improve human and environmental health. Our program immerses you in research, management, science communication, and entrepreneurship. You'll be able to specialize in one of four tracks: biodefense, drug discovery, biotechnology management, and bioinformatics.

The Master's in Computer Science (MS) will give you an edge in this dynamic, growing field. You will build a solid foundation in computer science with our core curriculum, and can customize your degree to fit your career goals by choosing one of three tracks of specialization: applied computer science, game and computational media, or data science. Students can further personalize their degrees by choosing to pursue research and a traditional master’s thesis, or a combination of research and an internship.

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. 

There is no better place to learn how to report the news than in the nation's capital, where news is made every minute of every day. At American University School of Communication, students regularly report on Capitol Hill, the DC government, federal agencies, and the policies forged here that have impact around the world. You'll gain valuable experience and earn bylines and credits through internships at major national and international news outlets including The Washington Post, USA TODAY, Politico, NBC4, and National Public Radio.

Our journalism program helps you hone your skills with courses in various forms of writing, advanced reporting, digital media, journalism ethics, and communication law as you learn from the School of Communication's richly experienced faculty. Our students take advantage of the most advanced video, audio, and film equipment in our Media Innovation Lab as they gain confidence being behind and in front of the camera. You'll graduate with strong writing and reporting abilities, an impressive multimedia portfolio, and connections throughout the industry that will help you build a successful career in journalism.

Our master’s degree centers around the real-world application of economics. Whether you’re gaining practical experience in leading organizations in the nation’s capital, or learning current applications by esteemed economist faculty, your curriculum will give you a head start on your career. From applied economics to gender analysis in economics, our program prepares for you a career that fits your interests.

Our literature BA program offers four tracks: literary studies, cinema studies, transcultural studies, and creative writing. Working with dedicated, award-winning faculty, students learn to analyze and comprehend other viewpoints and argue for ideas. Valuable internships in publishing, public radio, education, law, and advocacy are a short Metro ride away.

The American University School of Communication Bachelor of Arts in Film and Media Arts provides you with a professional skill set in photography, film, video, and digital media.

Our undergraduates take advantage of the broad opportunities that Washington, DC offers with internships at national media organizations including USA Today, National Geographic Television, and PBS.

You'll be positioned on the forefront of social purpose filmmaking at nonprofits, NGOs, and government agencies such as the World Wildlife Fund, Smithsonian Institution, and the National Park Service. Graduates of our program go on to have successful careers in the media industry.

Many of the most profound challenges facing humanity relate to the environment, health, or the intersection of the two. Climate change and species extinction currently undermine the quality of life for many and threaten to compromise the fundamental, organic infrastructure that supports all life on earth. Infectious diseases like HIV and malaria remain a major cause of death in poorer countries, while chronic diseases, once most apparent in richer countries, are becoming increasingly prevalent around the world. Meanwhile, environmental toxins, air and water pollution, and soil degradation compromise the health and well-being of peoples everywhere. Not only do ecological issues have the potential to impact public health, but decisions made by communities and the private and public sectors—from transportation to agriculture—markedly influence ecosystem functions. The Environmental Sustainability and Global Health Thematic Area introduces students to the socio-political dynamics of global health and environmental affairs. Students explore the multiple causes and consequences of environmental harm and ill health and work to understand the mechanisms of governance best able to respond. Cutting across both issues are the fundamental inequalities between people, as well as between countries, that exacerbate the impacts of environmental and health problems and hamper identification and implementation of solutions. Ultimately, students develop the intellectual and applied tools needed to simultaneously work towards a safer, saner planetary condition and healthier populations.