American University
GLOBAL SCHOLARS
Who We Are
The Global Scholars Program is an accelerated three year program in the School of International Service at American University. Around twenty-five students are chosen from among hundreds of applicants each year to participate in the program. Global Scholars are a diverse group of students with a variety of backgrounds, interests, and ambitions. You can read testimonials from alumni below:
Our director, Professor Anders Härdig, is a Professorial Lecturer in the Comparative Politics and Regional Studies (CRS) program at the School of International Service (SIS). His main fields of expertise are international politics and comparative and regional studies with a special focus on social movements and grassroots networks in the Middle East. Dr. Härdig is the recipient of several scholarships and grants, including a Fulbright scholarship, the Smith Richardson Foundation World Politics and Statecraft Fellowship, and multiple grants from the Marcus Wallenberg Foundation. In recent years, he has worked as a researcher and consultant for American and European companies on projects in Lebanon.
What We Do
The Global Scholars Program affords students a number of unique opportunities. Some of these advantages include:
1. Living Learning Community: Freshmen in the program live together on the same floor in Letts Hall along with the Program Associate, a second- or third-year Global Scholar. The PA lives with and attends one class each semester with the first-year students. This close proximity creates a tight-knit community and provides students plenty of time to get to know each other and to help each other adjust.
2. Cohort Learning: Students take World Politics, Introduction to IR Research, and Advanced IR Research together. These courses are taught by the Program Director, allowing for students to form a close relationship with their professor.
Former program director Professor Dylan Craig attends a conference on post-9/11 national security held by The Atlantic with four Global Scholars on Sept. 8, 2016.
Twelve students on the Brussels Madrid program stand together in front of City Hall in Antwerp, Belgium in June of 2016.
3. Accelerated Curriculum: Global Scholars works with students to enable them to complete the same rigorous coursework as a normal SIS student in only three years. We do this by helping students to jump-start their degree and working with students to create three-year plans.
4. Special Study Abroad: The Madrid Brussels program was specially crafted with the Global Scholars in mind. Available only to three-year program participants, Global Scholars can spend six weeks of their first summer completing nine credits worth of SIS classes in two of the most beautiful and exciting cities in the world.
5. Global Scholars Network: First-year Global Scholars are connected with a second- and third-year mentor to answer questions and provide support throughout their transition to university life. Additionally, the first class of Global Scholars graduated in 2014, providing three years of alumni to connect with.
How can you join us?
To become a Global Scholar, you must first apply to American University. Then you can access our application here - the application opens in October and is due by November 15 Early Decision or January 15 Regular Decision. The Global Scholars program is intended for incoming freshmen, so students may not transfer into the program. For more information about the program, you can visit our official AU website here. Additionally, you can read our community newsletters here. If you have any questions, please refer to our FAQ page. If you still have questions, contact us at globalscholars@american.edu.
Are you going to be on campus? Schedule a meeting with us to learn more about the program.