NEED HELP APPLYING?
Sign up for an advising appointment or chat with a current student about any School of Education program.
Once you have created an account you will be able to complete the application form. You do not need to complete the form in one sitting.
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Pay the application fee of $55. During checkout be sure to indicate if you have attended an event at AU. You may be eligible for an application fee waiver.
Submit your supplemental materials as early as possible to allow time for them to be received before the application deadline. After admittance, you will be required to mail all official transcripts.
Below are the Graduate Admissions Deadlines for upcoming cohorts.
Application Deadline | Virtual Interviews | Decision to Candidates |
---|---|---|
January 29 | February 2021 | March 15 |
Graduate Program | Priority Deadline | Final Deadline |
---|---|---|
MA in International Training and Education | October 16 | November 20 |
MA in Education Policy and Leadership (Online) | October 16 | November 20 |
Graduate Program | Priority Deadline | Final Deadline |
---|---|---|
MA in Teaching (Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Secondary Education, and English for Speakers of Other Languages) |
February 26 |
March 26 |
MA in International Training and Education | February 26 | March 26 |
MA in Special Education: Learning Disabilities | February 26 | March 26 |
MA in Education Policy and Leadership (Online) | February 26 | March 26 |
Anti-Racist Administration and School Leadership Certificate | February 26 | March 26 |
International students applications will only be accepted through June 11.
Graduate Program | Priority Deadline | Final Deadline |
---|---|---|
MA in Teaching (Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Secondary Education, and English for Speakers of Other Languages) |
June 11 |
July 9 |
MA in International Training and Education | June 11 | July 9 |
MA in Special Education: Learning Disabilities | June 11 | July 9 |
MA in Education Policy and Leadership (Traditional and Hybrid) | June 11 | July 9 |
MA in Education Policy and Leadership (Online) | June 11 | July 9 |
Anti-Racist Administration and School Leadership Certificate | June 11 | July 9 |
A successful statement will illustrate a candidate's goals, highlight their research interests, and explain how their experience is relevant to the academic research conducted by faculty in their program of interest. Please try to limit your statement of purpose to 500-1,000 words.
The resume should list a candidate's relevant work experience, internships, research, awards, and/or publications, as well as educational history.
A curriculum vitae (CV) is also accepted.
All applications require transcripts from degree-seeking college institutions. A bachelor's degree (or its equivalent) earned at an accredited college or university is required. AU standards ask for a minimum 3.0 GPA for undergraduate work. For students who received under a 3.0 GPA, a supplemental statement will be required during application.
A transcript uploaded by a student is considered "unofficial." Departments use these during their review period. Official transcripts are required only after the applicant has accepted admission to American University. Official transcripts must be sent and received by a university representative and should confirm the earned degree when applicable.
International transcripts will need to be evaluated and show equivalency of the US 4-year degree. Please include a WES evaluation with your transcript.
Recommenders will evaluate a candidate based on academic performance, motivation for program of study, intellectual capacity and/or research and writing ability.
Fill out the Recommendations page on the application to send your recommender a notification. Your recommender will receive a form to fill out asking specific questions and have a change to upload a letter of recommendation, if they wish.
If you experience any errors with the Recommendation Request form or if you need to submit a new request to a new recommender, contact education@american.edu.
Not required for any programs but students may upload scores if they wish.
To submit GREs, use school code: 5007 (no department code). GRE scores can take up to six weeks to arrive after the test date.
Proof of English Proficiency is required from all applicants whose native language is not English and who do not hold a bachelor's or master's degree from a U.S. accredited college/institution.
To meet the English Language Requirement, students must submit scores from one of the following three tests for admission
With permission from the SOE Office of Graduate Academic Services, students may request an English Language Waiver, email education@american.edu for information.
For more information, visit the International Student and Scholar Services website.
Passing scores by DC standard on Praxis Core exam required for all MA teaching degrees and MA special education degrees for students whose undergraduate GPA is below 3.0.The DC teacher licensing agency sets passing scores as: Reading 156, Writing 162, and Math 150. To submit Praxis, use school code: 5007 (no department code). Praxis scores can take up to six weeks to arrive after the test date. Alternative test types listed in application.
Some programs require portfolios or writing samples. See application for program specific requirement.