Application Requirements

Thank you for your interest in applying to a graduate program at the School of Public Affairs (SPA) at 猫咪社区app University. Applications for听Spring 2024 and Fall 2024听are now available. Master鈥檚 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听denote the required application components*听by degree program. Application questions may be directed to听spaapp@american.edu.

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

*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-猫咪社区app)
Dual Degrees (On-猫咪社区app)
Master's Degrees (Online)
Combined Programs - AU undergraduates only (On-猫咪社区app)
Certificate Programs (On-猫咪社区app)
Ph.D. Programs (On-猫咪社区app)

Apply Now

Start or continue your application for a School of Public Affairs graduate program

Apply Now

Speak with an Admissions Representative

Master鈥檚 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-猫咪社区app)

Masters (On-猫咪社区app)
Program Personal Statement Resume Letters of Recommendation听 Unofficial Transcript(s) Standardized Test(s)* English Proficiency Test (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or DET) Writing Sample Interview

MA Political Science听

Required Required Required: Two (2) letters Required

**GRE Optional:

See note below

Required (Official Scores): International Applicants Only
MA Political Communication Required Required Required: Two (2) letters Required GRE Optional Required (Official Scores): International Applicants Only
MS Data Science听 Required Required GRE Optional Required (Official Scores): International Applicants Only
Master of Public Administration (MPA) Required Required Required: Two (2) letters Required GRE Optional Required (Official Scores): International Applicants Only
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
MS Justice, Law, & Criminology (JLC) Required Required Required: Two (2) letters Required

**GRE Optional:

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

**GRE Optional:

See note below
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.听

**听GRE Master鈥檚 Degree Program Notes:听The听MA Political Science听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.听The听MS JLC and MS THSP听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-猫咪社区app)

Dual Degrees (On-猫咪社区app)
Program Reference
JD/Master of Public Policy Applicants should refer to the听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.听
JD/MS Justice, Law & Criminology Applicants should refer to JD and MS Justice, Law & Criminology page.听

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.听

Combined Programs (On-猫咪社区app)

猫咪社区app 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-猫咪社区app)
Program Personal Statement Resume Letters of Recommendation听 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听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-猫咪社区app)

Certificate Programs (On-猫咪社区app)
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 (Official Scores): International Applicants Only
Cyber Policy & Management*** Required Required Required GRE Optional Required (Official Scores): International Applicants Only
Executive Leadership听 Required Optional Required GRE Optional Required (Official Scores): International Applicants Only
Leadership for Organizational Change Required Required Required GRE Optional Required (Official Scores): International Applicants Only
Nonprofit Management Required Required Required GRE Optional Required (Official Scores): International Applicants Only
Public Financial Management

Required

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

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

Ph.D. Programs (On-猫咪社区app)

Doctoral Programs (On-猫咪社区app)
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.