Requirements for Graduate Admission
To be considered for admission, all applicants must:
- Possess a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
- Submit a completed application form [PDF]; Online application preferred
- Submit a resume
- Submit a Statement of Purpose
- Pay a $50 application fee
- Submit official transcripts (with translation if applicable) from each institution previously attended
- Submit two letters of recommendation [PDF] (at least one of which must be from an academic source) evaluating undergraduate academic performance and suitability for graduate study in international affairs, three letters are required for PhD applicants; all of them have to be sealed and signed by the recommender
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- If recommenders are unable to submit recommendations by mail, it is possible for them to submit the recommendations from a professional e-mail address (e.g. @american.edu, @peacecorps.gov) to sisgrad@american.edu. However, applicants should draft an e-mail, to our attention at the Office of Graduate Admissions, stating that they waive their right to view the letters. This should be done in one e-mail that includes the names and contact information of the recommenders who will be submitting recommendations via e-mail.
- Submit official results of the appropriate standardized test
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- Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required of all applicants, except for the JD/MAIA, BA/MA, MIS candidates, and international master's applicants who do not hold a higher education degree from an institution where English is the primary language of instruction; GRE is required of all PhD applicants, (institution code 5558)
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- Required of international students whose native language is not English AND who do not hold a degree from a U.S. accredited college/institution
- Minimum score requirement: 100 on the iBT test, 250 on computer-based test, and 600 on paper-based test
- The SIS institution code for TOEFL score reporting is 8177. There is no department code.
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS):
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- Can be used in lieu of the TOEFL. Minimum score requirement: 7.0.
International students: Please click here to learn about application and admissions requirements.
NRSD applicants: please visit the University for Peace Web site and be sure to indicate your interest in both the School of International Service and UPeace in your statement of purpose.
BA/MA applicants: completion of a minimum of two 300-plus level SIS courses, inclusion of at least one letter of recommendation from a full-time SIS faculty member, a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.5 and a 3.5 grade point average in SIS courses, as well as completion of at least 90 credits prior to applying are highly recommended.
