Texas A&M University, Bush School of Government & Public Service

Mastering Global Realities with Real-World Experiences and Practitioner-Led Education

During a recent student orientation, Kateryna Shynkaruk, a senior lecturer at Texas A&M University’s Bush School DC, provided insight into what it takes to succeed in global politics. Her advice to students was clear: “[It’s necessary to have] the ability to understand your blind spots and grasp reality.”

This principle is not just a theoretical concept but a practical framework that shapes the institution’s educational experience. The Bush School DC prioritizes hands-on learning through simulations, role-playing exercises, and real-world decision-making scenarios, helping students identify gaps in their understanding and prepare for the complex realities of national security and international politics.

The school’s commitment to real-world exposure extends beyond the classroom. The Transatlantic Security Program, co-led by Shynkaruk, takes students on annual trips to Europe, where they meet with officials at institutions such as NATO and the European Union. Their feedback, she points out, describes these trips as eye-opening, offering students “invaluable firsthand insights into security dynamics and the nuanced role of culture in international relations.”

In regional studies, faculty members bring a wealth of field expertise to the classroom. Shynkaruk, who teaches courses in East European politics, European security, and international relations theory, often draws on direct experiences. “I travel to Ukraine at least twice a year, so when I teach a course on the Ukraine war, we’re not just having an abstract classroom conversation,” she explains.

Shynkaruk’s career spans academia, think tanks, diplomatic missions, and the US Department of State. “I enjoy the fact that I can wear all my hats at the same time in the classroom,” she shares.

Students’ capstone project is another immersive opportunity to work on real-world projects for government agencies or private contractors and present their findings to potential employers for evaluation. Regular guest lectures and events with ambassadors, senior diplomats, and leading experts underscore the school’s commitment to connecting students with influential figures in the field.

The Bush School DC recognizes the need for flexibility and offers evening classes to accommodate those balancing full-time jobs with studies. This helps attract a diverse student body, from mid-career professionals applying to the Master of International Policy program to recent graduates applying to the Master of National Security and Intelligence program.

Students are likewise prepared for the realities of the workforce through comprehensive support systems and resources that include career coaching, faculty advising, and specialized career services.

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Networking Opportunities Abound for Bush School DC Graduates

From monthly meetings with intelligence and national security organizations to events at think tanks and consulting firms, Bush School DC students are given a range of networking opportunities thanks to the school’s strong ties with the Intelligence Community.

The Bush School DC offers personalized career coaching and assistance with resumes, cover letters, and salary negotiation, as well as informational interviews with alumni and current mid-career students.

Graduates become part of Texas A&M’s extensive, supportive “Aggie” alumni network of more than 500,000 who live across 165 countries.

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Texas A&M University, Bush School of Government & Public Service
https://bush.tamu.edu/DC
[email protected]
202-773-0022