AU and RU first began developing our partnership for exchange in 1990. In the following decades of collaboration, our programs now include undergraduate and graduate semester exchange, dual degree programs, faculty exchange, and of course, the joint degree program (JDP) for the BA in Global International Relations (Global IR), the newest evolution of our partnership.
The JDP was developed to create a unified degree program that will allow you to transition seamlessly between the two schools while completing the BA in Global IR over the course of four years. This degree reflects the cultural and geographic reach, as well as the expertise and strengths of both universities in offering the first truly global degree in international relations. You will gain a deep understanding of global and regional challenges, especially as they relate to East Asia and the United States. As Sakura Scholars, you will be uniquely prepared to pursue careers that draw upon your ability to critically examine international relations from multiple theoretical, historical, cultural, national, and disciplinary perspectives and standpoints.
The joint BA prepares you for internationally-focused careers in government, non-profits, and the private sectors. The curriculum is firmly rooted in the liberal arts and sciences, inherently interdisciplinary, and aimed at helping students to think critically and clearly about the most pressing global challenges. It also affords an opportunity for you to find your truest vocations, to discover your passions, and to become an active and engaged citizen in a complex global world that defies simple explanations or solutions.
You will fulfill degree requirements for both institutions and spend two full academic years studying with each university.
Sakura Scholars
Students in the JDP are known as the Sakura Scholars. Sakura is the Japanese word for cherry blossoms, which have become a symbol of friendship between Japan and the United States. Washington, D.C. received a gift of thousands of cherry trees from the people of Japan in 1912. You can see the cherry blossom trees at the Tidal Basin, where they bloom each spring.
American University
Located in Washington, D.C., American University was chartered by Congress in 1893.
American University is a leading student-centered research university where passionate learners, bold leaders, engaged scholars, innovators, and active citizens unleash the power of collaborative discovery. We partner with key organizations in the Washington, DC, region, and around the globe to better the human condition, learn from a vast array of experiences and internships, create meaningful change, and address society’s current and emerging challenges.
AU has a strong reputation as a leader in the field of international relations. We have been ranked in the top 10 U.S. undergraduate institutions for international relations by Foreign Policy Magazine (2018). AU welcomes a diverse population of students, staff, and faculty from 134 countries.
The School of International Service (SIS) at AU was established in 1957, and in the six decades since, we have answered the call from U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower at our founding to “wage peace.”
Learn about AU: https://www.american.edu/about/
Learn about SIS: https://www.american.edu/sis/about/
Ritsumeikan University
Ritsumeikan University was first founded in 1869 and was ranked #1 Japanese Private University in the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2020.
RU is designated by the Japanese government as a Top Global University, in recognition of its mandate to provide a welcoming campus with resources for international students, staff, and faculty and for its development of programs to encourage its students to venture beyond Japan and explore the world. The College of International Relations is the first college of international relations in West Japan. The Graduate School of IR is the only APSIA (Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs) member school in Japan, marking its position as a top IR institution.
Learn about RU: http://en.ritsumei.ac.jp/profile/
Learn about the College of IR: http://www.ritsumei.ac.jp/ir/eng/