Frequently Asked Questions
As you begin the exploration and application process for graduate study at the School of Public Affairs, we hope you will find the following list of frequently asked questions helpful. If at any point you need additional information, please contact the SPA Graduate Admissions Office at (202) 885-6230 or email spagrad@american.edu.
1. How many credits are required to earn a graduate degree at the School of Public Affairs?
Various programs have different credit requirements:
MA, Political Communication – 36 credit hours
MA, Political Science – 33 credit hours
MS, Justice, Law & Society – 33 credit hours
Master of Public Administration (MPA) – 42 credit hours
Master of Public Policy (MPP) – 39 credit hours
Key Executive Leadership MPA – 36 credit hours
MS, Organization Development – 39 credit hours
PhD programs (JLS, Public Administration, and Political Science) – 72 credit hours (if entering without an earned Master’s degree); 48 credit hours (if entering with a related earned Master’s degree)
2. What is the difference between the MPA and MPP degrees?
The Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree is a professional degree for those who want a career in public service that involves management and decision making. This program develops skills used by leaders and managers to implement policies, projects, and programs.
The Master of Public Policy (MPP) degree is a professional degree that places an emphasis on evaluating analytical skills to solve policy issues. MPP graduates work with quantitative and qualitative information to develop, assess, and evaluate alternative approaches to emerging issues and challenges.
3. What is an Executive Program?
An executive program is intended for mid-career or senior level professionals who wish to maintain employment while completing one of the school’s degree programs on a part-time basis. The minimum level of work experience may vary by program, but all of the executive programs do require substantial work experience in the field. An executive program is traditionally delivered in a weekend format or non-traditional scheduling pattern. Our existing executive programs are all cohort programs, meaning that all participants move through the curriculum together and follow a prescribed set of requirements.
4. Can I enroll in graduate level classes as a non-degree student?
Yes, non-degree status is available at the master’s level for those with an earned undergraduate degree from an accredited U.S. institution (or equivalent international degree). Guaranteed student loans and merit awards are not available to non-degree students. Up to 12 credit hours earned at American University as a non-degree student may be applied toward a degree program at American University if later admitted to a degree program.
5. How do I apply as a non-degree seeking student?
To apply as a non-degree seeking student, please do the following:
- Complete the non-degree application
- Submit official transcript(s) from every college attended
- Meet with an academic advisor within the department you wish to study for course registration:
Department of Government: Robert Briggs
Department of Justice, Law and Society: Linda Spicer
Department of Public Administration and Policy: Janet Nagler
The preferred application deadline for non-degree domestic applicants is prior to the first day of classes in the semester the applicant wishes to enroll. Late application and registration is possible through the end of the drop/add period for non-degree students. An applicant who is denied admission to a Masters or PhD program within the School of Public Affairs may not apply for non-degree OR certificate program admission within the School of Public Affairs for a minimum of one calendar year.
6. When are the application deadlines?
PhD – (Fall admission only) Deadline: January 1
Traditional Master’s programs – Fall priority deadline: February 1, Fall Final deadline: June 1, Summer deadline: May 1, Spring deadline: November 1
Executive program deadlines vary. Please visit the program website for the application deadline.
International students are encouraged to submit their application one month prior to the final deadline.
7. What are the average cumulative GPA and average GRE scores for admitted Master’s students? Is there a minimum requirement?
The average GRE scores for admitted students are 564v, 639q, and 4.5a. The average undergraduate GPA is 3.5 (all programs combined). Traditional master’s programs require a minimum 3.0 GPA (or equivalent) for full admission. If the admissions committee recommends admission for a student with less than a 3.0 GPA, provisional admission may be offered. Provisions vary, but typically require the admitted student to earn a particular GPA within an allotted time frame.
8. What are the average cumulative GPA and average GRE scores for admitted PhD students? Is there a minimum requirement?
The average GRE scores for admitted students are 608v, 655q, and 4.7a. The average undergraduate GPA is 3.65. A 3.2 minimum GPA is required for admission to our doctoral programs.
9. What tests fulfill the English language requirement for international students?
TOEFL – Preferred minimum score is 600 on the paper test, 250 on the computer test, or 100 on the internet based test
IELTS – Preferred minimum score is 7.0
PTE – Preferred minimum score is 68
10. Is the GRE required for admission? Can other standardized tests be submitted in lieu of the GRE?
The GRE is required for admission to all traditional Masters programs and PhD programs. Scores must be less than five years old to be considered official. The GRE is not required for admission to any of the Executive programs (Key Executive MPA or MS, Organization Development).
Applicants to the MPP and MPA programs who received their undergraduate degree more than eight years prior to their date of application and with 8 years or more of related experience are not required to take the GRE unless the applicant wishes to be considered for merit based aid. To apply for a GRE waiver, please send your resume to spagrad@american.edu with a written request. The LSAT may substitute for the GRE for MS, Justice, Law and Society and MPP/MPA applicants in some cases. All applicants to the dual degree program with the Washington College of Law (WCL) can submit LSAT scores. The GMAT may substitute for the GRE for MPP or MPA applicants in some cases.
11. How long does it take to get a decision regarding admissions?
Application files are NOT reviewed until all required documents have arrived. Some delays in review are the result of outstanding documents not yet received. You may revisit your completed application to check the status of your application. A typical Masters file is reviewed and a decision released within 3-4 weeks. During peak review season (late December – end of March), the review and decision process may take 6-8 weeks. International applications may take 8-10 weeks for review. The review process for PhD applications begins in mid-January and most decisions are made and released in mid-late March.
12. What is a merit award and how do I apply?
A merit award is extended to strong applicants based upon a recommendation by the admissions committee. These awards are based on an assessment of an applicant’s credentials using traditional academic indicators (e.g. GPA, GRE scores, strength of recommendation letters, etc.). To be considered for a merit award, an applicant should submit a completed application by the stated preferred application deadline and answer yes to the question “Do you wish to be considered for a merit award” on the application.
Only full-time students are eligible to receive merit awards. Merit awards are offered only to new students and are renewable for a second year of study pending successful completion of the first year. If a student does not enter SPA on a merit award, they are ineligible in later years.
13. How do I apply for a guaranteed student loan?
The federal government makes available low interest rate, guaranteed student loans for eligible US citizens. Loans may be subsidized or unsubsidized. You do NOT need to wait until you are admitted to begin the guaranteed student loan process. To apply, complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid as instructed at www.fafsa.ed.gov. The phone number to the Financial Aid office at American University is (202) 885-6100 if you have questions regarding the loan process.
14. What is the difference between full-time and part-time status? Am I able to move back and forth between the two programs?
Full time status is categorized by the University as the registration by a student of 9 credit hours or more per semester (for domestic students, full time registration in summer session is 6 credit hours). Part time status is 8 credit hours or less per semester. A student may move from full time to part time status with no difficulty (international students on an F-1 Visa must remain full time).
Merit award recipients must also maintain full time status. Any changes in registration from full-time to part-time status may impact financial aid award amounts. Please contact the Financial Aid office for further clarification (202) 885-6100.
15. How do I transfer to the School of Public Affairs?
Transfer students must apply for the program through our online application. Application requirements remain the same for any student applying to one of our degree programs. A maximum of 6 graduate credits may be transferred from another accredited program into the traditional graduate programs at the School of Public Affairs. Exactly which credits and how those credits are applied, is determined by the Department Chair and academic advisor after a student has been admitted. Once admitted, those seeking to transfer credits should forward a course description and syllabus for the course to the Chair of the program for consideration.
16. Is an interview required for admission into the program?
An interview is not required for admission into the program. However, any student may request an informal meeting with a member of the admissions office by submitting the online request form.
17. What should I include in my personal statement?
Your personal statement is a very important part of your application. It should be a well-written and carefully crafted essay between two and five typewritten pages in length. You should describe in detail your:
• personal and career goals
• relevant employment experience
• reason for wanting to study at American University
• ability and commitment to undertake graduate education at this time
18. I am required to submit a writing sample to complete my application. How many pages are required?
Two samples of your written work (1-6 pages) are required for application to the MS in Organization Development and the Key Executive Leadership MPA programs. One sample of your written work (12-25 pages) is required for application to the doctoral program. Writing samples can be reports, memoranda, articles, or portions thereof.
19. My institution is not listed on the application. What should I do?
If your university is not listed, please leave the institutional code blank and free type the name of your University into the box. Do not select a random institution, as doing so will delay the process.
20. What if I am admitted to SPA but not Washington College of Law (WCL)?
The admission decisions of each school are independent. Should you apply to a dual degree program and only be admitted to SPA, our offer of admission still stands and you are eligible to proceed as a student in SPA. Note that admission decisions to one program have no bearing on or leverage with another.
21. When is the best time to apply for the BA/MA program?
After you have completed 90 credits of your SPA undergraduate program, you are eligible to apply for the BA/MA program. We strongly recommend that you apply during the second semester of your junior year so that you can take full advantage of the program. If you are interested in pursuing this option, please contact your academic advisor as soon as possible.
22. How do I check my application status?
If you have submitted an online application, you can use the user name and password you created when you started your application to log into your application portal where you can track the status of your application. Due to the high volume of mail received by our office during this period, please allow 7 to 10 business days to process your application materials after they have been received.
23. Is the spring admissions cycle competition easier?
No. For the spring admissions cycle, the number of applicants decreases and so does the number of students admitted. The acceptance rate, therefore, remains the same.
24. Can I defer my admission once admitted to your school? Will I be able to keep my merit-based financial aid?
You can defer up to one year from your semester of admission with approval from the admissions office and upon receipt of your non-refundable deferral deposit. Any merit award granted for your original semester of admission cannot be carried over to your deferred semester. You will be reconsidered for merit aid for the next admission cycle, although the award is not guaranteed.
25. If I have been denied admission to SPA, can I reapply?
Students denied admission to SPA must wait one academic year from the date of their original application to reapply. Such candidates are encouraged to contact the Graduate Admissions Office for advice on strengthening their applications.
