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Application Requirements

Thank you for your interest in applying to a graduate program at the School of Public Affairs (SPA) at Â鶹ÊÓƵ. Applications forÌýSpring 2024 and Fall 2024Ìýare 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 thatÌýdenote the required application components*Ìýby degree program. Application questions may be directed toÌýspaapp@american.edu.

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

*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 - Â鶹ÊÓƵ undergraduates only (On-Campus)
Certificate Programs (On-Campus)
Ph.D. Programs (On-Campus)

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Master’s Degree* Applicants: We encourage you to register for an application coaching session (info sessions tab) to learn how to build a compelling application file.

Still have questions? Speak with SPA's Associate Director of Graduate Admissions & Enrollment Analytics, Emma Segalla, to have your specific application and admissions questions answered.

*Ph.D. applicants should contact spaphd@american.edu for assistance.

Master's Degrees (On-Campus)

Masters (On-Campus)
Program Personal Statement Resume Letters of RecommendationÌý Unofficial Transcript(s) Standardized Test(s)* English Proficiency Test (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or DET) Writing Sample Interview

MA Political ScienceÌý

 Required Required Required: Two (2) letters Required

**GRE Optional:

See note below

Ìý

 Required (Official Scores): International Applicants Only Ìý Ìý
MA Political Communication Required Required Required: Two (2) letters Required GRE Optional Required (Official Scores): International Applicants Only Ìý Ìý
MS Data ScienceÌý Required Ìý Ìý Required GRE Optional Required (Official Scores): International Applicants Only Ìý Ìý
Master of Public Administration (MPA) Required Required Required: Two (2) letters Required GRE Optional Required (Official Scores): International Applicants Only Ìý Ìý
Key Executive Leadership (MPA) Required Required Required: Two (2) letters Required GRE Optional Required (Official Scores): International Applicants Only Required Required

Master of Public Policy (MPP)

 Required Required Required: Two (2) letters Required GRE Optional Required (Official Scores): International Applicants Only Ìý Ìý
MS Justice, Law, & Criminology (JLC) Required Required Required: Two (2) letters Required

**GRE Optional:

See note below		 Required (Official Scores): International Applicants Only Ìý Ìý
MS Terrorism & Homeland Security Policy (THSP) Required Required Required: Two (2) letters Required

**GRE Optional:

See note below		 Required (Official Scores): International Applicants Only Ìý Ìý

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

**ÌýGRE Master’s Degree Program Notes:ÌýTheÌýMA Political ScienceÌýprogram 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.ÌýTheÌýMS JLC and MS THSPÌýprograms 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 theÌýJD 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.Ìý
JD/MS Justice, Law & Criminology Applicants should refer to JD and MS Justice, Law & Criminology page.Ìý

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 (Official Scores): International Applicants Only
MS Counter-Terrorism & Homeland Security Policy (CTHSP) Required Required Required: Two (2) letters Required

GRE Optional

 Required (Official Scores): International Applicants Only

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

Combined Programs (On-Campus)

Â鶹ÊÓƵ 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 RecommendationÌý 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 Ìý Ìý Required Required for Applied Public Affairs Track only
BA/Master of Public Administration (MPA) Required Required Required: Two (2) letters Required Required

BA/Master ofÌýPublic 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 Ìý Required GRE Optional Required (Official Scores): International Applicants Only
Cyber Policy & Management*** Required Required Ìý Required GRE Optional Required (Official Scores): International Applicants Only
Executive LeadershipÌý Required Optional Ìý Required GRE Optional Required (Official Scores): International Applicants Only
Leadership for Organizational Change Required Required Ìý Required GRE Optional Required (Official Scores): International Applicants Only
Nonprofit Management Required Required Ìý Required GRE Optional Required (Official Scores): International Applicants Only
Public Financial Management

Required

 Required Ìý Required GRE Optional Required (Official Scores): International Applicants Only
Public Management Required Required Ìý Required GRE Optional Required (Official Scores): International Applicants Only
Public Policy Analysis Required Required Ìý Required

GRE Optional

 Required (Official Scores): International Applicants Only

Women, Policy & Political Leadership

 Required Required Required: Two (2) letters Required GRE Optional Required (Official Scores): International Applicants Only

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

***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 (Official Scores) Required (Official Scores): International Applicants Only Required

Ph.D. Public Administration & Policy

 Required Required Required: Three (3) letters Required

Required (Official Scores)

 Required (Official Scores): International Applicants Only Required
Ph.D. in Justice, Law, & Criminology Required Required Required: Three (3) letters Required Required (Official Scores) Required (Official Scores): International Applicants Only Required

****No GRE waivers. Official scores required.