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 soeadmissions@american.edu.

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

• Duolingo English Language Test: Due to recent English language testing and travel restrictions related to COVID-19, American University is temporarily accepting the Duolingo English Language Test as part of our admissions process. The minimum required Duolingo score is a 120.
  
  Please email admissions directly at soeadmissions@american.edu to indicate that you will be submitting a Duolingo score in lieu of TOEFL or IELTS.
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): You must achieve a required score of at least 100 on the Internet-based test (IBT). Combined scores will not be accepted, nor will SOE accept the ETS MyBestScore results. The TOEFL is administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS), and the ETS code for the School of Communication is 5007. The test cannot be more than two years old.
   
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS). You must achieve a minimum score of a 7.0 or higher; combined scores will not be accepted. The test cannot be more than two years old.

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.

Praxis CORE (or equivalencies) is not required for admission. 

All admitted students are required to take Praxis CORE (or equivalencies) by graduation with the strong recommendation to take by end of first semester. 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. See Educator Testing Flyer here or visit the OSSE website for additional test types.

Some programs require portfolios or writing samples. See application for program specific requirement.