Is American U Online International Relations Program on Level with Rest of AU's SIS School?

Graduate School
1

I am seeing good ratings for American University’s School of International Studies. A survey of foreign policy professions by Foreign Policy put AU at #9 among “Top U.S. Undergraduate Institutions to Study International Relations” (https://foreignpolicy.com/2015/02/03/top-twenty-five-schools-international-relations/). However, I’m a little concerned about the specifics of their International Relations Online master’s degree. Is it as academically challenging as the rest of its SIS school apparently is? Can a school give such in depth teaching online? Not to mention the networking and in person benefits of grad school?

AU does have some on campus masters programs, too, but as far as I can see none on the general areas of “International Relations,” “International Affairs,” or “International Studies” (https://www.american.edu/sis/admissions/sisdegrees_all.cfm). Which program would typical IR students take?

2

Are the courses the same, just offered in distance format, or is the degree program substantially different? What have you found out about the individual course formats and content? What can you find out at AU about networking for graduates of that program?

I completed an MS Ed degree online that was also available live on campus. There is nothing in my transcript or diploma to indicate that my classes were online. Other than missing the live human interaction (“Hey, where did you get that coffee?”), I never felt a lack of depth. Networking for my program is good. After graduation our group of alumni and professors stays in touch with each other professionally through a closed Facebook group and through LinkedIn.