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Learn to Lead

Established in 1990, the Leadership Program prepares students to lead in public service.
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Greetings from the Â鶹ÊÓƵ, School of Public Affairs, Certificate Program in Advanced Leadership Studies! Created in 1990 this Program offers students the opportunity to learn leadership theory, practice, and prepare them for leadership roles. After a competitive application process students complete a 15-credit course of study to achieve their Certificate. We encourage you to stay curious in your leadership journey, and please let us know if you have any questions.

Jessica Waters, Assistant Professor, Department of Justice, Law & Criminology and Director SPA Leadership Program, waters@american.edu.

James Helms, SPA Leadership Program Coordinator & Administrative Assistant, SPA, Department of Government, helms@american.edu, 202-885-6203

Program Overview

SPA Leadership Students

Team building-Verdun retreat

We look forward to a wonderful academic year with our current students in the program.

Building Social Capital

2023-2024 Student Co-Directors & Program Director

All members of the Leadership Program complete two leadership projects designed to build social capital. These projects help each student understand how individual leadership functions to make society a better place.
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SPALP January 2024 retreat to Verdun

John F. Kennedy speaking at Â鶹ÊÓƵ

Bringing Leadership Theory to Practice

"Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other." Quote from the speech that John F. Kennedy had planned to deliver in Dallas before his assassination on 22 November 1963. Learn more about our program goals.