Social Policy

Social Policy Research

Our faculty member’s research illuminates pressing social problems, inequities, and potential policy solutions to the most pressing issues of our day, including social inequality, food insecurity, and the achievement and opportunity gap.

Latest Social Policy News

dol harubang statues on the AU quad

International Global Policy and Administration ·

From Passive to Active Victimhood in the Shadow of State Violence

SPA professor examines the role of litigation in the formation of victim identities, in the context of South Korea’s Jeju 4.3 Incident
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Melissa Kilmer (left) and Jane Palmer (right)

Social Policy ·

Safe(r) Spaces?

SPA professor and student examine whether campus sexual assault prevention programs increase student comfort with accessing related resources.
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Seth Gershenson

Public Management and Leadership ·

The Teacher Down the Hall

SPA professor examines the impact of types of teacher experience and peer characteristics on educational outcomes by race.
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Thomas Zeitzoff

Political Science ·

Tracing the Roots of Antisemitism

SPA professor explores the relationship between education and prejudice across countries.
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Jane Palmer

Criminology ·

"Survivor-Defined Justice"

SPA professor explores the civil legal needs of sexual assault survivors.
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TaLisa Carter

Social Policy ·

Skin in the Game

SPA professor and alumna examine how skin tone impacts perceptions of physical attraction.
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Recent Publications

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Policy Briefs

person holding puppy

Policy Brief ·

Exploring the Link Between Animal Cruelty and Intimate Partner and Family Violence

An SPA Policy Brief
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preschoolers doing arts and crafts

Policy Brief ·

Beyond the Classroom: The Case for Public Preschool

An SPA Policy Brief
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Meet our Social Policy Faculty

 


SPA Degrees in Social Policy

Arielle Baldwin

Master of Public Administration

Our program gives you the tools to meet complex public challenges with strong, capable leadership.

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Ben Schumann

Master of Public Policy

This program shapes policy analysts and changemakers of the future.

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PhD in Public Administration

PhD Public Administration & Policy

Produce methodologically sound, socially relevant research that makes important contributions to knowledge and theory.

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Looking for more graduate degree offerings? Browse our full list.

Contact Us

Phone: (202) 885-2940

Graduate programs: spagrad@american.edu

Undergraduate programs: aupublicaffairs@american.edu

Kerwin Hall on a map

Public Affairs, School of 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW Washington, DC 20016 United States