Application Requirements

Thank you for your interest in applying to a graduate program at the School of Public Affairs (SPA) at American University. Applications for Spring 2024 and Fall 2024 are now available. Master’s degree and graduate certificate program application files are evaluated on a rolling basis, while the doctoral admission process occurs once per year (Fall admission only). Before applying, carefully review the application file requirements. Below you will find tables that denote the required application components* by degree program. Application questions may be directed to spaapp@american.edu.

Applicants are encouraged to register for an application coaching session on our Recruitment Events page (info sessions tab).

*Although listed for only one graduate program, The Key Executive Leadership MPA, SPA may request to schedule an interview with any applicant in an effort to gather additional information in supplement to the requirements outlined in the tables below.

Master's Degrees(On-Campus)
Dual Degrees (On-Campus)
Master's Degrees (Online)
Combined Programs - AU undergraduates only (On-Campus)
Certificate Programs (On-Campus)
Ph.D. Programs (On-Campus)

Master's Degrees (On-Campus)

Masters (On-Campus)
Program	Personal Statement	Resume	Letters of Recommendation	Unofficial Transcript(s)	Standardized Test(s)*	English Proficiency Test (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or DET)	Writing Sample	Interview
MA Political Science	Required	Required	Required: Two (2) letters	Required	GRE Optional: See note below**	Required: International Applicants Only
MA Political Communication	Required	Required	Required: Two (2) letters	Required	GRE Optional	Required: International Applicants Only
MS Data Science	Required			Required	GRE Optional	Required: International Applicants Only
Master of Public Administration (MPA)	Required	Required	Required: Two (2) letters	Required	GRE Optional	Required: International Applicants Only
Key Executive Leadership (MPA)	Required	Required	Required: Two (2) letters	Required	GRE Optional	Required: International Applicants Only	Required	Required
Master of Public Policy (MPP)	Required	Required	Required: Two (2) letters	Required	GRE Optional	Required: International Applicants Only
MS Justice, Law, & Criminology (JLC)	Required	Required	Required: Two (2) letters	Required	GRE Optional: See note below**	Required: International Applicants Only
MS Terrorism & Homeland Security Policy (THSP)	Required	Required	Required: Two (2) letters	Required	GRE Optional: See note below**	Required: International Applicants Only

*Optional means an applicant may submit an official standardized test score for consideration in an effort to strengthen their file.

** GRE Master’s Degree Program Notes: The MA Political Science program does not currently require the GRE; however, students with GPAs below 3.1 who believe their GPA does not reflect their academic potential are encouraged to include a GRE test score in their application file. The MS JLC and MS THSP programs do not currently require the GRE; however, students with GPAs below 3.0 who believe their GPA does not reflect their academic potential are encouraged to include a GRE test score in their application file.

Dual Degrees (On-Campus)

Dual Degrees (On-Campus)
Program	Reference
JD/Master of Public Policy	Applicants should refer to the JD and Master of Public Policy page.
LLM/Master of Public Policy	Applicants should refer to the LLM and Master of Public Policy page.
JD/Master of Public Administration	Applicants should refer to JD and Master of Public Administration page.
LLM/Master of Public Administration	Applicants should refer to LLM and Master of Public Administration page.
JD/MS Justice, Law & Criminology	Applicants should refer to JD and MS Justice, Law & Criminology page.

Master's Degrees (Online)

Masters (Online)
Program	Personal Statement	Resume	Letters of Recommendation	Unofficial Transcript(s)	Standardized Test(s)*	English Proficiency Test (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or DET)
Master of Public Administration & Policy (MPAP)	Required	Required	Required: Two (2) letters	Required	GRE Optional	Required: International Applicants Only
MS Counter-Terrorism & Homeland Security Policy (CTHSP)	Required	Required	Required: Two (2) letters	Required	GRE Optional	Required: International Applicants Only

*Optional means an applicant may submit an official standardized test score for consideration in an effort to strengthen their file.

Combined Programs (On-Campus)

American University undergraduates only. The GRE is waived for all Combined Program applicants. There is no English Proficiency Test (EPT) score required for international applicants.

Combined Programs (On-Campus)
Program	Personal Statement	Resume	Letters of Recommendation	Unofficial Transcript	Terms of Agreement
BA/MA Political Science	Required	Required	Required: Two (2) letters	Required	Required
BA/MA Political Communication	Required	Required	Required: Two (2) letters	Required	Required
BA/MS Data Science	Required			Required	Required for Applied Public Affairs Track only
BA/Master of Public Administration (MPA)	Required	Required	Required: Two (2) letters	Required	Required
BA/Master of Public Policy (MPP)	Required	Required	Required: Two (2) letters	Required	Required
BA/MS Justice, Law, & Criminology (JLC)	Required	Required	Required: Two (2) letters	Required	Required
BA/MS Terrorism & Homeland Security Policy (THSP)	Required	Required	Required: Two (2) letters	Required	Required

Certificate Programs (On-Campus)

Certificate Programs (On-Campus)
Program	Personal Statement	Resume	Letters of Recommendation	Unofficial Transcript(s)	Standardized Test(s)*	English Proficiency Test (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or DET)
Analytics & Management	Required	Required		Required	GRE Optional	Required: International Applicants Only
Cyber Policy & Management***	Required	Required		Required	GRE Optional	Required: International Applicants Only
Executive Leadership	Required	Optional		Required	GRE Optional	Required: International Applicants Only
Leadership for Organizational Change	Required	Required		Required	GRE Optional	Required: International Applicants Only
Nonprofit Management	Required	Required		Required	GRE Optional	Required: International Applicants Only
Public Financial Management	Required	Required		Required	GRE Optional	Required: International Applicants Only
Public Management	Required	Required		Required	GRE Optional	Required: International Applicants Only
Public Policy Analysis	Required	Required		Required	GRE Optional	Required: International Applicants Only
Women, Policy & Political Leadership	Required	Required	Required: Two (2) letters	Required	GRE Optional	Required: International Applicants Only

*Optional means an applicant may submit an official standardized test score for consideration in an effort to strengthen their file.

***Open to current or admitted THSP students only.

Ph.D. Programs (On-Campus)

Doctoral Programs (On-Campus)
Program	Personal Statement	Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV)	Letters of Recommendation	Unofficial Transcript(s)	Graduate Record Examination (GRE)****	English Proficiency Test (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or DET)	Writing Sample
Ph.D. in Political Science	Required	Required	Required: Three (3) letters	Required	Required	Required: International Applicants Only	Required
Ph.D. Public Administration & Policy	Required	Required	Required: Three (3) letters	Required	Required	Required: International Applicants Only	Required
Ph.D. in Justice, Law, & Criminology	Required	Required	Required: Three (3) letters	Required	Required	Required: International Applicants Only	Required

****No GRE waivers

Application Requirement Tables

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Application Requirements

Master's Degrees (On-Campus)

Dual Degrees (On-Campus)

Master's Degrees (Online)

Combined Programs (On-Campus)

Certificate Programs (On-Campus)

Ph.D. Programs (On-Campus)