As you begin the exploration and application process for graduate study, 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 spagrad@american.edu. Best wishes!

1). What degree programs are offered at the School of Public Affairs (SPA) at American University?

• Master of Arts- Political Science
• Master of Public Administration
• Master of Public Policy
• Master of Science- Justice, Law & Society
• Ph.D.- Justice, Law & Society
• Ph.D.- Political Science
• PhD.- Public Administration
• J.D./MS in Justice, Law & Society (joint degree program with the Washington College of Law)
• J.D./ Master of Public Administration (joint degree with the Washington College of Law)
• J.D./Master of Public Policy (joint degree with the Washington College of Law)

Executive Programs:

• Master of Public Administration – Key Executive Leader MPA 
• Master of Science – Organization Development (MSOD)

2). How many credits are required to earn a graduate degree at the School of Public Affairs?
Various programs have different credit requirements:

• MS – Justice, Law & Society = 33 credit hours 
• MA – Political Science = 33 credit hours 
• MPP – Public Policy = 39 credit hours 
• MPA – Public Administration = 42 (Key Executive is 36 credits) 
• Ph.D programs = 72 credits (if entering without an earned Master’s degree); 48 credits for those who enter with a related earned Master’s degree. 
• MSOD= 39

3.) What are the differences between the MPP and MPA degrees?
MPA
Background: liberal arts, social sciences, political science, economics, public administration, business, pre-law
Course of Study: leadership-based curriculum complemented by analytical applications and problem solving using quantitative approaches
Selected career options: program manager, research director, public affairs specialist, community development organizer, public health advocate, city manager

MPP
Background: economics, political science, urban planning, statistics, international relations/development
Course of Study: analytical and quantitative-based curriculum complemented by selected topics or focus areas
Selected career options: policy director, budget analyst, project manager, research associate, grant specialist, educational services consultant

4). What is meant by the term "Executive Program" at SPA?
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. The existing executive programs are all "cohort" programs (meaning that all participants move through the curriculum together and follow a prescribed set of requirements). All of the existing executive programs at SPA are less than 2 years in length.

5). Does SPA offer graduate certificate programs?
Yes, SPA offers the following graduate certificates:

• Graduate Certificate in Organizational Change
• Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management
• Graduate Certificate in Public Financial Management
• Graduate Certificate in Public Management
• Graduate Certificate in Public Policy Analysis
• Certificate of Advanced Leadership Studies
• Professional Development Certificate in Women, Policy and Political Leadership
• Graduate Certificate in Leadership for Effective Public Policy Implementation (not for credit)

6). Can I enroll for graduate level classes as a non-degree student?
Yes, non-degree status is available at the "masters" level (not the Ph.D. level) for those with an earned undergraduate degree from an accredited U.S. institution (or equivalent degree from abroad). Note: guaranteed student loans and merit awards (School of Public Affairs scholarships, assistantships and fellowships) are NOT available to non-degree students. Up to 12 credits 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.

7). a. What is needed to apply to the traditional Masters & doctoral degree programs at SPA?
Application procedures may be found here.

To apply, submit the following:

• Application
• $55.00 application fee (fee waived for AU alumni; former PPIA/IIPP participants; Teach for American participants; Peace Corps participants, AmeriCorps participants; FAMU Scholars; and McNair scholars only)
• Official transcripts from every college attended
• Official GRE scores (required for all traditional Masters programs and ALL doctoral programs at SPA. (The GRE is waived ONLY for MPA and MPP applicants with 8 years or more of relevant work experienced – submit resume to spagrad@american.edu for approval). The GRE is NOT required for any of the Executive degree programs in SPA. Any student who wishes to be considered for merit aid must take the GRE and submit official test scores.
• Official TOEFL or IELTS scores (required for all international students who have NOT earned a degree from an accredited institution in the United States).
• Certification of Finances for International Students (international students only)
• 2 letters of recommendation (3 letters are needed for Ph.D. applicants)
• Resume'
• Personal statement (also known as a statement of purpose or interest). Typically 1-3 double spaced pages (no stated minimum or maximum for length).

*Key Executive and AU/OPM applicants should consult the executive website for application procedures.

b. What is the deadline to apply to the traditional programs?
The preferred deadline for Fall 2010 is Feb. 1, 2010. Best consideration for merit based aid will go to those who apply with a completed application by the Feb. 1 preferred deadline (a completed application includes the receipt of test scores, transcripts, recommendation letters, etc). The preferred deadline for Spring 2010 is Nov. 1, 2009.

8). How do I apply for a certificate program?
To apply to the certificate programs in Public Management; Nonprofit Management; Public Financial Management; or Organizational Change offered through the Department of Public Administration, please submit the following: application, non-refundable application fee, official transcript(s) from every college attended; personal statement (statement of interest); and official GRE general test scores taken within the last 5 years. Certificate applicants with 8 years or more of full time work experience are waived from the GRE but a resume is required). GRE scores are not required for the certificate program in Nonprofit Management.  Submit all required documents to the SPA Graduate Admissions office and await a response. A decision typically takes two weeks for certificate applicants. Note: International students who wish to apply to a certificate program MUST submit official TOEFL scores (minimum TOEFL = 600 on paper test OR 250 on the computer test) and SPA will forward international transcripts for evaluation to the International Student Services office on campus. The Personal and Immigration Information Request Form (PIIRF) is also required of international application. A degree equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree is needed for consideration. The review time for an international applicant to the certificate program may take 4-6 weeks. 

Up to 15 credits earned within the certificate program may apply to the degree program (Department Chair of the program of interest has final approval).

9). 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 (downloadable available on website www.american.edu/spa under admissions OR contact the graduate admissions office at 202 885-6230); submit official transcript(s) from every college attended; and meet with an academic advisor within the department you wish to study for course registration. 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 up 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.

10) a. What are the average GPA & GRE scores for students of the School of Public Affairs? Is there a minimum GPA or GRE needed to apply?
The average GPA for Fall 2009 admits was 3.52 (all programs combined). The combined average GRE for Fall 2009 admits was 562 verbal, 648 quant, and 4.7 analytic.

The traditional programs require a minimum 3.0 GPA for full admission (or the equivalent from an international university). If the admissions committee recommends admission for a student with less than a 3.0 GPA, a provisional admission maybe extended – provisional admits are rare. Provisions vary but typically require the admitted student to earn a particular GPA within an allotted time frame (example: earn a 3.3 GPA within first 9-12 credit hours of graduate study).

b. - What scores are needed by international students for the TOEFL or IELTS?
The preferred minimum TOEFL for international students is 600 on the paper test,100 on the IBT test, OR 250 on the computer test. The minimum IELTS score is 7. The TOEFL or IELTS exam cannot substitute for the GRE but rather is taken in addition to the GRE for international applicants.

11). Is the GRE required? Can other standardized tests substitute for the GRE?
The GRE is required for admission to all of the traditional Masters programs (MA in Political Science; MS in Justice, Law & Society; MPP; and MPA). The GRE is also required for admission to all Ph.D. and no test substitutes are permitted. 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; AU/OPM or MSOD). Applicants to the traditional MPP and MPA 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 based on graduation date from undergraduate study and 8 years of related work experience, please send your resume to spagrad@american.edu with a short written request. The LSAT may substitute for the GRE for MS in Justice, Law & Society and MPP/MPA applicants in some cases. All applicants to the joint degree programs with the Washington College of Law can submit LSAT scores. The GMAT may substitute for the GRE for MPP or MPA applicants in some cases. Please call 202-885-6230 with questions.

12). What is the institutional code for American University for GRE and TOEFL scores to be reported?
The institutional code for the GRE is 5733.  No departmental code is needed. The Institutional code for the TOEFL and IELTS is 5007. The test scores from Educational Testing Services (ETS) are reported to a data warehouse at American University and the Graduate Admissions office retrieves the scores electronically.

13). How long does it take to get a decision regarding admission?
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 are encouraged to check the status of your application by contacting the graduate admissions office, (202) 885-6230 or spagrad@american.edu. A typical Masters file is reviewed and a decision released within 3-4 weeks. During peak review season (late Dec. – 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 Ph.D. applications begins in early February and most decisions are made and released in mid-late March.

14). How do I apply for a merit award?
A merit award is extended to strong applicants based upon a recommendation by the admissions committee (typically between late Feb. – April). Merit awards are based on an assessment of an applicants 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 deadlines" (Feb. 1 for Fall admission; Nov. 1 for Spring admission), AND answer yes to the question, "Do you wish to be considered for merit aid" 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 (Merit awards are renewable for a third year for Ph.D. students only). If a student does not enter SPA on a merit award, a merit award is not possible in later years.

15). How do I apply for a guaranteed student loan?
The federal government makes available low interest rate, guaranteed student loans for eligible U.S. 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.

16). How much is tuition at American University?
Graduate tuition is billed at a "per credit hour" rate for the traditional programs. The current tuition for 2009-2010 is $1,237 per credit hour. Other student fees are required. Graduate tuition is subject to increase on an annual basis. The most current tuition can be found on the American University website (www.american.edu and click to prospective student). Executive programs have a different fee and tuition structure, contact the program of interest for details.

17). What is the difference between full time and part time status? Can I move back and forth between full time and part time?
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 fewer than 9 credit hours 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. Note: changes in registration from full time to part time status may impact financial aid award amounts – contact the Financial Aid office for further clarification (202) 885-6100.

18). Once I am admitted, how can I find out more OR register?
You are always welcome to contact the Graduate Admissions Office with your questions (202) 885-6230 or spagrad@american.edu. SPA does host an "admitted" day in the Spring for Fall admits and orientation occurs on the Thursday evening before classes begin. You may register for classes or clarify academic program requirements with your academic advisor:

• Bob Briggs – advisor, MA Political Science and ALL doctoral students- rbriggs@american.edu or 202 885-6204
• Janet Nagler – advisor, MPA program – jnagler@american.edu or 202 885-6224
• Renee Howatt- advisor, MPP program- howatt@american.edu or 202-885-3125
• Linda Spicer – advisor, MS Justice, Law & Society – lspicer@american.edu or 202 885-6456

19). What is a deposit?
The School of Public Affairs requires a $250.00 non-refundable deposit from all admits who indicate a desire to enroll. The deposit will be credited to your student account once you register – in essence, it is a small down payment on your tuition. If you do not enroll, your $250.00 deposit will be retained by American University. Merit award recipients must also pay the $250.00 deposit – this amount will appear as a credit and will be refunded at the end of the drop/add period.

20). Does SPA accept transfer credit from another graduate program?
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 apply is a matter 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.

21). What is the full contact information for the SPA Graduate Admissions Office?
American University
School of Public Affairs - Graduate Admissions
Ward Building, Room 310
4400 Massachusetts Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20016
spagrad@american.edu
(202) 885-6230