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Professional and Academic Success

You've earned your bachelor's degree. Now you need the connections and foundation to boost your resume and pave the way toward your professional and academic success. In today's competitive market, how do you get ahead of the pack?

Grow Your Career

This one semester program will help you build upon your chosen field and grow your professional network in DC. With dynamic fields of study from public policy to biotechnology, you can choose your path and establish a career foundation or switch career fields. By participating in American University's Graduate Professional Studies you will create a path to a successful future.

Earn Credit Toward a Future Degree

Learn from leaders - in classroom settings, on site visits that can only be found in our nation's capital, on the job as an intern, through focused research, and through professional development opportunities. Graduate Professional Studies classes are designed to transfer into degree seeking graduate programs at American University or other institutions. Your path to submitting a top-notch graduate school application starts here.

Key Benefits

  • Strengthen graduate school applications.
  • Get more experience in your field of interest.
  • Decide if graduate school or career is your next step.
  • Transition from one career field to another.
  • Build a professional network in DC to help with your job search.

The Student Perspective

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Learn more about Graduate Professional Studies from two program alumni.

100 percent of GPS Alumni reported they were better prepared for the job market or graduate school.

Program Brochure

Graduate Professional Studies Program Brochure

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Opening Doors Through GPS

Allan Saunders, Fall '14

GPS taught me...that a door that seems closed might not be locked.

The time before college graduation can be stressful for many students. Uncertainty about the future, what to do next, and where to go became important questions that need answers --- fast. Many students have turned to the American University Graduate Professional Studies program.

Learn more about Allan's experience