University programs

Georgetown University’s Center for Professional Development offers a broad range of courses geared towards academic inquiry and effective management techniques. Courses are held in the center in Arlington, Va.

(http://cpd.georgetown.edu)

George Washington University’s College of Professional Studies offers a number of programs throughout the D.C. area and on the Internet. While courses can be taken without the intent of pursuing a degree, the center appears to be focused on degree- and certificate-based programs for working professionals.

(http://cps.gwu.edu)

Howard University’s Continuing Education School offers language courses and focused training/certificate programs for professionals.

(http://www.con-ed.howard.edu)

George Mason University’s Office of Continuing Professional Education offers non-credit courses, academic credit programs and certificate programs. Classes appear to be geared toward specific skill-set development rather than casual intellectual curiosity.

(http://ocpe.gmu.edu)

Johns Hopkins University School of Professional Studies addresses community needs in the Baltimore-Washington area through its academic programs, research activities, and partnership initiatives in business, education, and public safety leadership. By focusing on these regional priorities, the school is establishing national models for university-community collaboration.

(http://www.johnshopkins.edu/divisions/prof_studies/)

George Mason University Initiatives in Educational Transformation is a professional development master’s degree program for licensed, practicing K-12 public school teachers in Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia. The philosophical aim of IET is to help teachers develop a repertoire of practices that challenge them to surface, revisit and rethink the routines and assumptions that shape their work.

(http://www.gmu.edu/iet/about/history/)

American University offers continuing education options without having a specific center or program. Those who are interested in taking a college course or two (with current college students) can take university classes for a fee without enrolling in a degree program.

(http://www.american.edu/continuinged/ug.html)

Terry Sanford Institute of Public Policy – Duke University

Master of Public Policy Program

A two-year masters program designed for both students early in their career or mid-career professionals. A one-year joint or concurrent degree option is available with professional academic programs both at Duke and other U.S. accredited professional degree educational institutions. The M.P.P. program prepares students for public service in the government, non-profit or private sector.

Public Policy Ph.D. program

Public Policy Ph.D. candidates take core public policy courses and choose a social science field as a disciplinary concentration, acquiring depth in that field.

Program in International Development Policy

The Program in International Development Policy is designed for mid-career professionals who seek a graduate-level program and who are likely to dedicate their careers to policymaking and public service in developing countries and countries in transition. Upon successful completion of the program, PIDP Fellows receive a master of arts degree in International Development Policy.

The Health Policy Certificate Program is open to all graduate students. The interdisciplinary certificate speaks to the needs of students preparing for careers in healthcare policy, management and associated professions.

(http://www.pubpol.duke.edu/about/)

The Duke Environmental Leadership Program (DEL)

The DEL Program improves the knowledge and understanding of environmental issues and leadership capacity among practicing environmental professionals, business executives, graduate students and K-12 teachers and students. Comprised of an online master’s degree, continuing and executive education courses and community outreach programs, the DEL Program is driven by interdisciplinary and global themes, strategic approaches to environmental management, communication and effective leadership.

As the nation’s first and top school for professional environmental education, the Nicholas School strives to reach outside audiences and expand access to the School’s faculty, research and resources through the DEL Program. Offering an ideal educational alternative for those currently engaged in resource management, environmental preservation and policy analysis, the DEL Program is designed for you.

(http://www.nicholas.duke.edu/del/)

Graduate School, USDA

The Graduate School, USDA is a non-appropriated fund instrumentality (NAFI) government entity created 85 years ago by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to provide adult continuing education. Its mission is to develop people and to make government more efficient and effective — offering a wide variety of classes and programs, ranging from government-based specialties such as governmental accounting and auditing, human capital management and acquisition to foreign languages, economics, leadership and landscape design. The School annually serves 200,000 participants in nearly 1,000 courses, including 300 evening and weekend courses.

(www.grad.usda.gov)

George Mason University School of Public Policy

The GMU School of Public Policy offers a competitive academic environment that features small classes, abundant internship and study-abroad opportunities, and frequent opportunities for one-on-one interaction between faculty and students.

Academically, the School pursues five principal themes: national governance, regional developments, international commerce and policy, science and technology, and culture and values.

The school holds regular information sessions on its master’s degree programs and the discipline’s largest doctoral program. It also provides opportunities for advanced professional study through its executive education program for people who already hold bachelors degrees and for companies interested in specialized training for their employees.

(policy.gmu.edu)

International Graduate University

IGU offers Master’s Degree programs from their College of Management, College of Human Service and College of Democracy and evening classes.
(202) 544-1555

University of Maryland
Professional Studies

UMDPS programs are developed in conjunction with The [UMD] Graduate School.  They also partner with industry leaders and expert faculty to deliver customized programs for organizations or graduate degree or certificates for professionals.

New this Fall, The Office of Professional Studies will offer a Graduate Certificate in Sport Management. The 12-credit program will draw upon its proximity to professional sports venues to provide a solid foundation in the business, operational, marketing and administrative contexts of sport management. The program is ideal for professionals aspiring to transition careers or simply wishing to better understand the workings of the sports industry.

(http://www.professionalstudies.umd.edu/)

The Catholic University of America 

Several programs are offered for graduate study.  The master’s degree is offered for concentrations in American government, political theory and world politics.  Special master’s programs are offered on Capitol Hill in the field of Congressional and Presidential Studies and in International Affairs.
A joint program with the Department of Economics offers a master’s degree in international political economy. Qualified students may also pursue a combined M.A./J.D. in conjunction with the Columbus School of Law. An extremely competitive Ph.D. program is offered in American politics, political theory, and world politics.
(politics.cua.edu/graduate)

The Institute of World Politics

Master’s Degree Program

The Institute currently offers three Master’s degrees: M.A. in Statecraft and World Politics, M.A. in Statecraft and National Security Affairs, and M.A. in Strategic Intelligence Studies. All are professional degrees designed for students who are pursuing a career in the international affairs, intelligence, or national security fields.

Certificate of Graduate Study

The certificate program is designed for students who wish to pursue graduate studies but do not need a degree, and for those students who already have an advanced degree yet need additional graduate credentials. The Institute awards Certificates of Graduate Study in eight areas of specialization: Comparative Political Culture, Counterintelligence, Intelligence, International Politics, National Security Affairs, American Foreign Policy, Democracy Building, and Public Diplomacy and Political Warfare.

Internships

In Washington, D.C. many professionals begin their careers as interns. Interns regularly include college students, recent graduates and even those who have held professional positions, but are looking to move to a new field. IWP offers a stimulating academic environment, a chance to be a part of a graduate school team, the opportunity to take a graduate course free of charge and the occasion to be close to Washington scholar-practitioners.

Unlike other schools, students in the Certificate and Continuing Education programs share the same courses and professors as students in the M.A. program.

(www.iwp.edu)

The Graduate School at Southeastern University

Courses are taught by a renowned faculty of experts who are true masters of their field, scientists, authors, government and business leaders. Graduate classes are usually small, interactive and encourage a high degree of student-faculty engagement.

(http://www.seu.edu/gen/Academic/gradschool/default.htm)

National Institutes of Health
(Foundation for Advanced Education in the Sciences)

The Foundation for Advanced Education in the Sciences (FAES) is a private, non-profit organization that works with NIH to provide courses and other offerings to enhance the overall academic environment of NIH.  Since the 1950s they have taken the lead to organize and support a large number of undergraduate and graduate level courses for anyone who works for or is training at NIH.  The majority of the school’s faculty is made up of NIH staff, making their specialized knowledge available to a wider audience.  Although the primary recipients of the school’s programs have always been members of the NIH scientific staff at all levels, courses are also open to other federal employees and the general public.

(http://gpp.nih.gov/GraduateStudents/GraduateHandbook/FAESCourses.htm)

The American Friends of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation

American Friends, located in Washington, D.C., was established in 1999 and is a tax-exempt nonprofit organization under section 501(c)(3) of the United States tax code. The board of directors includes recipients of Humboldt Foundation grants and other individuals who share the goals of the Foundation.

The German Chancellor Fellowship Program was established under the patronage of former German Chancellor Helmut Kohl to promote the transatlantic partnership between Germany and the United States.

It is intended for career-oriented individuals under 35 years of age who identify a German host and design a project to expand their professional expertise and accomplishment. Ten awards are given to U.S. citizens annually. Applications may come from prospective leaders in professions spanning all sectors of American society — public, private, not-for-profit, cultural, and academic. Successful applicants have come from a wide range of specializations, such as architecture, graphic and performing arts, business, economics, journalism, law, and social and political studies.

(http://www.americanfriends-of-avh.org/index.html)

Princeton Review offers prospective grad students a number of ways to prepare for the Graduate Records Examination (GRE):

Classroom Courses
Online Course
Private Tutoring
Small Group Tutoring
Books

(www.prince­tonre­view.com)

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