Experience AU, No Matter Where You Are

For over a decade, the School of International Service (SIS) has offered flexible online programs tailored to meet the needs of working professionals and service members for flexible online learning by transforming our programs to work in the online space. Our programs continue to pioneer online education through a research-based, interactive experience and increased access to a quality education from the top-10 ranked School of International Relations by Foreign Policy Magazine.¹

Our online experience brings AU campus to you. You will benefit from both the flexibility of online learning and becoming a full member of the AU community. This includes access to some of the leading voices in the international affairs community and resources unique to AU’s location in the nation’s policy hub, Washington, D.C.

Zoom HD Live Classes  |  Canvas  |  24/7 Access  |  Small Class Sizes

Through a unique blend of asynchronous and synchronous learning you will experience a combination of flexible learning and live interaction. In weekly small classes hosted on Zoom, you will engage in live seminar-style discussions with your classmates and professors, while being able to access course materials, lectures, and assignments at your convenience. You will gain both a solid theoretical grounding and practical insights, applying course concepts to current global events and developments.

This blended approach allows you to balance flexibility with real-time engagement, fostering a rich learning environment that accommodates diverse schedules while maintaining the benefits of live interaction with faculty and peers.

The digital campus access through Canvas, AU’s learning management system, provides an intuitive design, modern interface and communications tools that enhance  acts as your learning experience. You will benefit from interactive weekly assignments that are designed by AU faculty specifically for the online space. All course work expands on the week’s in-class lessons and prepares you for the next live session with your professor.

With Canvas, you will have access to:

You will become part of a dynamic community of students, faculty, and alumni who are dedicated to influencing positive change in an ever-evolving and complex global environment.

Your peers will bring diverse perspectives from varying industries and countries, enriching classroom discussions and broadening your global perspective.

AU faculty are some of the leading voices in the international affairs community and are dedicated to engaging with their students.

Our alumni network is a powerful network of over 20,000 SIS alumni and 130,000 AU alumni worldwide. When you graduate, you will join other influential forces serving the global community.

Learn more about our dynamic community.

The SIS Office of International Programs offers optional experiential learning opportunities abroad for International Relations Online students. These programs complement your studies and broaden your global perspective. 

Opportunities include:

Programs vary in duration from 2-4 weeks to a full semester, accommodating diverse student needs and schedules. Locations change based on student interests. 

These international experiences enhance your SIS education and prepare you for global leadership roles.

Learn more about these abroad and international opportunities.

Beyond your virtual interctions, you will have the opportunity to meet your classmates and faculty face-to-face during an exciting immersion visit to American University’s campus in Washington, D.C. Each program features a tailored immersion experience that complements your online learning and strengthens your connections within the SIS community.

Learn more about immersion experiences.

International Relations Online students are full members of both the American University and School of International Service communities. We make it our mission to offer the highest-quality support throughout the entire student experience, from initial contact all the way through graduation and beyond:

During the admissions process, you will have a dedicated admissions counselor who will answer any questions you have about the program, the application, and the admissions process.

Upon your admission to the program, you will be assigned a dedicated advisor who is available to meet with you one-on-one throughout your program and who will act as your go-to resource for guidance and support.

Once you enroll, you will be able to work with our Student Services team, who will assist you with academic support, course planning/advising, and community engagement, no matter your level of technological expertise.

As an International Relations Online student, you will have access to American University assets including career services, library resources, student benefits, and access to SIS events and speakers.

When you graduate, you will be invited to participate in the commencement ceremony on campus where you will join students from both the online and on-campus programs as you celebrate your accomplishments.

After graduation, you will join the American University and School of International Service global alumni networks, which connect you for life to other graduates who are serving communities around the world.

Download a brochure to learn more about international relations at American University (PDF, 1,4MB).

¹#8-ranked school for International Relations Faculty and #10-ranked school for Policymakers. The Top International Relations Schools of 2024, Ranked. Foreign Policy Magazine. Accessed December 2024.