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CAS-Graduate Admissions 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW Washington, DC 20016-8081 United States

All programs require:

Statement of Purpose

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 (250-500 for certificate applications).

Please note: We do not accept personal statements written by AI or similar tools. By submitting your application, you are confirming the Statement of Purpose was written solely by you, the applicant. This does not include the use of assistitve technologies for applicants with disabilities.

For guidance on writing your Statement of Purpsoe, please visit our Events Page for upcoming webinars and info sessions.

Transcripts

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.

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.

Resume or CV

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.

International Students

Language proficiency (we accept TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, and Duolingo); Official Transcript evaluation (not required if you completed a bachelor’s degree in the United States).

Application fee waivers are not given on an individual basis. We offer numerous virtual events with fee waivers for attendees. Consult our Visits & Events for a full list of upcoming opportunities.

View more details about admissions requirements for international students.

Some may require:

Standardized Test Scores

General Record Examination (GRE)

Required for some PhD and Master's programs. (Check the list below for your program's specific requirements.) They are not required for graduate certificates. Scores must be taken within five years of applying. There are no universal score requirements.

To submit GREs, use school code: 5007 (no department code). GRE scores can take up to six week to arrive after the test date.

Check below to see if your intended graduate program requires GREs.

Language Proficiency Tests

For international students whose native language is not English and who do not possess an undergraduate or graduate degree from an accredited U.S. institution: applicants need TOEFL test scores of at least 100, a Pearson Test of English score of at least 68, or a minimum IELTS score of 7. TOEFL must be taken within two years of applying.

To submit TOEFL, use school code: 5007 (no department code). TOEFL scores can take up to six weeks to arrive after the test date.

For more information, please visit our International Applicants page.

Other Test Types

To submit other test types, send a legible screen shot of your score report to casgrad@american.edu.

Letters of Recommendation

Recommenders will evaluate a candidate based on academic performance, motivation for program of study, intellectual capacity and/or research and writing ability.

Letters must be sent by the recommender. Fill out the Recommendation Request form on the Supplemental Items Listing page to send your recommender a notification so that they can submit their letter.

If you experience any errors with the Recommendation Request form or if you need to submit a new request to a new recommender, contact casgrad@american.edu.

Portfolio or Writing Sample

Some programs require portfolios or writing samples. See your program's requirements page or the section below for specific instructions on content and transfering files.

Priority Deadlines

Priority Deadlines are for first-round consideration for admission and graduate funding. Applications received by this time are guaranteed full review for the upcoming semester. Applications received after the deadline are reviewed in order of receipt provided there is still available space in the cohort. The admissions committee reserves the right to push late applications to the next available semester’s review panels.

To be considered for a priority deadline, your online application form and fee must be received by the date listed. All supporting documents (statement of purpose, transcripts, recommendation letters, etc.) should be uploaded within five business days.

International applicants requiring a VISA may have additional deadlines. Visit our International Applicants page for more details.

Requirements & Deadlines by Program

Master's Degrees

Applied Economics (MS, online)

Applicants should submit:

A statement of purpose
A completed application
$55 application fee
Current resume/CV
Official transcripts from all academic institutions from which you earned credit
Letters of recommendation

Please see the online program site for more details.

Art History (MA)

Fall Priority Admission Deadline: February 1 (Fall admission preferred)
Spring Priority Admission Deadline: November 1*
Summer Admission: No

Admissions Requirements:

Application and fee
Statement of Purpose
Transcripts
2 Letters of Recommendation
Resume
GRE scores (optional)
Writing Sample**

* Fall admission preferred; Spring admission requires consultation with the Graduate Program Director.
**Writing sample should be an undergraduate research paper, or equivalent text authored by the applicant, of up to 25 pages. If submitting a section of a thesis or paper longer than 25 pages, please provide a cover page summarizing the project and contextualizing the sample.

Arts Management (MA)

Fall Priority Admission Deadline: February 1
Spring Priority Admission Deadline: November 1
Summer Admission: No

Admissions Requirements:

Application and fee
Statement of Purpose
Transcripts
2 Letters of Recommendation
Resume

Audio Technology (MA)

Fall Priority Admission Deadline: March 1
Spring Priority Admission Deadline: November 1
Summer Admission: Yes

Admissions Requirements:

Application and fee
Statement of Purpose
Transcripts
2 Letters of Recommendation
Resume
Portfolio*

*Portfolio Submissions: Submit three samples of your best work. Portfolio can consist of audio production work, sound design for film or audio processing software, and source code. Include a half-page PDF document containing descriptions of the three samples. Please submit your portfolio by emailing a Dropbox link, Google Drive link, website link, or individual files to casgrad@american.edu or jharper@american.edu.

Biology (MS)

(Tracks: Cell and Molecular Biology; Ecology and Evolutionary Biology)

Fall Priority Admission Deadline: March 1
Spring Priority Admission Deadline: November 1
Summer Admission: No

Admissions Requirements:

Application and fee
Statement of Purpose
Transcripts
2 Letters of Recommendation
GRE scores (Optional)
Resume

Biotechnology (MS)

*Effective Fall 2025, the MS in Biotechnology is not accepting applications.

Spring 2025 Priority Admission Deadline: November 1

Admissions Requirements:

Application and fee
Statement of Purpose
Transcripts*
2 Letters of Recommendation
GRE scores (Optional)
Resume

*Prerequisites: Appropriate undergraduate science courses or significant practical background

Chemistry (MS)

*Effective Fall 2025, the MS in Chemistry is not accepting applications.

Spring 2025 Priority Admission Deadline: November 1

Admissions Requirements:

Application and fee
Statement of Purpose
Transcripts
2 Letters of Recommendation
Resume

Computer Science (MS)

Fall Priority Admission Deadline: March 1
Spring Priority Admission Deadline: November 1
Summer Admission: No

Admissions Requirements:

Application form and fee
Statement of Purpose
Transcripts*
2 Letters of Recommendation
GRE scores (Optional)
Resume

*Prerequisites: Appropriate undergraduate coursework in computer science.

Creative Writing (MFA)

Fall Priority Admission Deadline: February 1
Spring Priority Admission Deadline: November 1
Summer Admission: Yes

Admissions Requirements:

Application and fee
Statement of Purpose*
Transcripts
2 Letters of Recommendation
Resume
Writing Sample**

*Statement of Purpose: Describe your current or planned genre focus and aesthetic aims, and explain how both are influenced by your past experiences as a reader and writer of literature.

**Writing sample
Prose: Submission cannot exceed 25 pages.
Poem: 12 poems not exceeding 15 pages. Each poem must be submitted on a separate page.

Data Science (MS)

Fall Priority Admission Deadline: February 15
Spring Priority Admission Deadline: November 1
Summer Admission: Yes

Admissions Requirements:

Application and fee
Personal Statement
Resume
Transcripts*
Letters of Recommendation (optional)
GRE scores (optional)

*Transcripts: Minimum undergraduate cumuative 3.0 GPA is required. Prerequistie: introductory course in Statistics.

Economics (MA)

(Tracks: Applied Economics, Development Economics, Gender Economics, Financial Economics)

Fall Priority Admission Deadline: March 1
Spring Priority Admission Deadline: November 1
Summer Admission: Yes

Admissions Requirements:

Application and fee
Statement of Purpose
Transcripts
2 Letters of Recommendation
Resume
Submission of GRE scores is optional as of November 2018

Environmental Science (MS)

Fall Priority Admission Deadline: February 1
Spring Priority Admission Deadline: November 1
Summer Admission: Yes

Admissions Requirements:

Application and fee
Statement of Purpose
Transcripts*
2 Letters of Recommendation
GRE (Optional)
Resume

*Prerequisite: One year of calculus & one year laboratory science required.

Ethics, Peace & Human Rights (MA)

Fall Priority Admission Deadline: January 15
Spring Priority Admission Deadline: November 1
Summer Admission: No

Admissions Requirements:

Application and fee
Statement of Purpose
Transcripts
2 Letters of Recommendation
Resume
Writing Sample

Prospective students may apply to either the Department of Philosophy and Religion, within the College of Arts & Sciences (CAS), or to the School of International Service (SIS). This will determine where accepted students will be registered as well as their academic advisors. Submitted applications cannot be transferred between CAS and SIS. For information on submitting an application to SIS, please visit their Graduate Admissions Website.

Game Design (MA)

The MA in Game Design is offered jointly between the College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Communication. Please see the School of Communication's graduate application information page for deadlines and requirements.

Health Promotion Management (MS)

Fall Priority Admission Deadline: February 1
Spring Priority Admission Deadline: November 1
Summer Admission: Yes

Admissions Requirements:

Application and fee
Statement of Purpose*
Transcripts
2 Letters of Recommendation
Resume

*A successful statement will illustrate a candidate's career goals, highlight how this program will advance their career goals, and explain how their experience may be relevant to this program. Please try to limit your statement of purpose to 500-750 words.

History (MA)

Fall Priority Admission Deadline: February 1
Spring Admission: No
Summer Admission: Yes

Admissions Requirements:

Application and fee
Statement of Purpose*
Transcripts
2 Letters of Recommendation
GRE scores (optional)
Resume
Writing Sample**

Early submission preferred.
*If applying to Public History, please indicate on application. Statement of Purpose: explain how an MA in History will further your career goals.

**Writing Sample: recent written work of substantial length (senior thesis, research paper, or interpretative essay).

International Economics (MA)

*Effective Fall 2025, the MA in International Economics program is not accepting applications.

Spring Priority Admission Deadline: November 1
Summer Admission: Yes

Admissions Requirements:

Application and fee
Statement of Purpose
Transcripts
2 Letters of Recommendation
GRE scores (optional)
Resume

Literature, Culture & Technology (MA)

Fall Priority Admission Deadline: March 1
Spring Priority Admission Deadline: November 1
Summer Admission: Yes

Admissions Requirements:

Application and fee
Statement of Purpose*
Transcripts
2 Letters of Recommendation
Resume
Writing Sample**

*In your statement of purpose, please be sure to explain how our program’s emphasis on the intersection of literature, culture, and technology aligns with your academic/professional interests and goals.

**Writing Sample: 10-15 pages maximum or analogous sample of work in a different medium.

Nutrition Education (MS, online)

For the Nutrition Education online program, applicants should submit:

A statement of purpose
A completed application
$55 application fee
Current resume/CV
Official transcripts from all academic institutions from which you earned credit
Letters of recommendation

Philosophy (MA)

Fall Priority Admission Deadline: February 15
Spring Priority Admission Deadline: November 1
Summer Admission: No

Admissions Requirements:

Application and fee
Statement of Purpose*
Transcripts
2 Letters of Recommendation
Resume
Writing Sample

*Three tracks: 1.) Global Philosophy, Religion, and Culture; 2.) History of Philosophy; 3.) Social Policy and Applied Ethics. Indicate track in Statement of Purpose.

Psychology (MA)

(Tracks: Clinical Science; Psychological Science)

Fall Priority Admission Deadline: March 1
Spring Admission Deadline: No
Summer Admission: No
Fall Admission only

Admissions Requirements:

Application and fee
Statement of Purpose
Transcripts
2 Letters of Recommendation
GRE scores (optional)
Resume

Public Anthropology (MA)

Fall Priority Admission Deadline: February 1
Spring Priority Admission Deadline: November 1
Summer Admission: Yes

Admissions Requirements:

Application and fee
Statement of Purpose*
Transcripts
2 Letters of Recommendation
GRE scores (Optional)
Resume
Writing Sample**

* Statement of Purpose: Explain how your research interests are relevant to the research conducted by the Department's faculty.

**Writing Sample: recent written work of substantial length (senior thesis, research paper, or interpretative essay).

Public Health, Innovation & Practice (MA)

Fall Priority Deadline: March 1
Spring Priority Deadline: November 1
Summer Admission: Yes

Admission Requirements

Application and fee
Statement of Purpose*
Transcripts
2 Letters of Recommendation
Resume

Public History (MA)

Fall Priority Admission Deadline: February 1
Spring Priority Admission Deadline: No
Summer Admission: Yes

Admissions Requirements:

Application and fee
Statement of Purpose*
Transcripts
2 Letters of Recommendation
Resume
Writing Sample**
Note: GRE scores no longer required for Public History as of November 2018

Early submission preferred.

*Statement of Purpose: explain how an MA in Public History will further your career goals.
**Writing Sample: recent written work of substantial length (senior thesis, research paper, or interpretative essay).

Sociology Research & Practice (MA)

Fall Priority Admission Deadline: February 15

Spring Priority Admission Deadline: November 1

Summer Admission: No

Admissions Requirements:

Application and fee
Statement of Purpose
Transcripts
2 Letters of Recommendation
GRE scores (optional)
Resume

*Department accepts applications year round on a rolling basis.

Spanish & Latin American Studies (MA)

Please note: the MA in Spanish & Latin American Studies is not accepting applications.

Fall Priority Admission Deadline: No

Spring Priority Admission: No

Summer Admission: No

Admissions Requirements:

Application and fee
Statement of Purpose*
Transcripts
2 Letters of Recommendation
GRE scores
Resume
Writing Sample**

Prerequisite: Bachelor's degree in Spanish or equivalent knowledge and proficiency in Spanish language.
*Statement of Purpose written in English.
**Writing Sample written in Spanish, approx. 10 pages.

Statistics (MS)

Fall Priority Admission Deadline: February 1
Spring Priority Admission Deadline: November 1
Summer Admission: No

Admissions Requirements:

Application and fee
Statement of Purpose
Transcripts*
1 Letter of Recommendation**
GRE scores (Optional)
Resume

*Prerequisites: Differential, Integral, and Multivariate Calculus. Linear Algebra. Introductory course in Probability and Statistics. Students entering the MS program without the appropriate background will be expected to take certain undergraduate courses or a mathematics and statistics boot camp as prerequisite work.

**Second recommendation letter is optional.

Studio Art (MFA)

Fall Priority Admission Deadline: February 1
Spring Admission Deadline: No
Summer Admission: No

Admissions Requirements:

Application and fee
Statement of Purpose
Transcripts
2 Letters of Recommendation
Resume
Portfolio**
Interview***

**Portfolio Submission: Please limit your portfolio to 20 images and submit it to Slideroom (starting February 1). Instructions for the formatting of materials are provided at the Slideroom website. A $10 fee will be collected by Slideroom for the uploading of your portfolio materials.

***Faculty will contact applicants for interviews after initial review period.

Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages — TESOL (MA)

Fall Priority Admission Deadline: February 1
Spring Priority Admission Deadline: November 1
Summer Admission: No

Admissions Requirements:

Application and fee
Statement of Purpose
Transcripts
2 Academic Letters of Recommendation
Resume

Background in a second language: Prior experience in a second language is not required, but is strongly recommended.
*GREs not required.

PhD Programs

Anthropology (PhD)

Please note: the PhD Anthropology program is currently not taking applications.

Fall Priority Admission Deadline: No

Admissions Requirements:

Application and fee
Statement of Purpose*
Official or Unofficial Transcripts
3 Letters of Recommendation
GRE scores
Resume
Writing Sample

*Statement of Purpose: Explain how your interest in anthropology coincides with the PhD program's mission statement and research strengths.

Behavior, Cognition & Neuroscience (PhD)

Fall Admission Deadline: December 1
Fall Admission only

Admissions Requirements:

Application and fee
Statement of Purpose*
Transcripts
3 Letters of Recommendation
Resume

Interview required (by invitation only)

*Statement of Purpose should include the names of the faculty mentor(s) you would like to work with and a description of your research interests, experiences, and career goals.

Biomedical & Environmental Health Sciences (PhD)

Fall Admission Deadline: February 1
Fall Admission only

Admissions Requirements:

Application and fee
Statement of Purpose*
Transcripts
3 Letters of Recommendation
Resume
GREs strongly encouraged

Clinical Psychology (PhD)

Fall Admission Deadline: December 1
Fall Admission only
Late applications not accepted

Admissions Requirements:

Application and fee
Statement of Purpose*
Transcripts
3 Letters of Recommendation
CV
GRE scores (Optional)**

* Statement of Purpose should include the faculty member(s) you want to work with as well as how your research experience and/or clinical interests are relevant to the research conducted by the faculty member(s)' research conducted in the department laboratories.

** GRE and Psychology Subject test are optional for all applicants.

Interview required (by invitation only)

Economics (PhD)

Fall Priority Admission Deadline: January 15
Spring Admission Deadline: October 1 (September 15 for International students)
Fall Admission preferred

Admissions Requirements:

Application and fee
Statement of Purpose
Transcripts*
2 Letters of Recommendation
GRE scores
Resume

*Minimum Prerequisites: applicants should have completed Intermediate Microeconomics and Intermediate Macroeconomics, or their equivalents, university-level Calculus, and university-level Statistics. Minimum 3.3 (4.0 scale) in all undergraduate coursework.

History (PhD)

Fall Admission Deadline: January 15
Fall Admission Only

Admissions Requirements:

Application and fee
Statement of Purpose*
Transcripts
3 Letters of Recommendation
GRE scores (Optional)
Resume
Writing Sample**

*Statement of Purpose: Explain how your research interests are relevant to the research conducted by the department's faculty.
**Writing sample: recent written work of substantial length (master's thesis, research paper, or interpretative essay).

Certificates

Applied Microeconomics

Deadline: Rolling Admission

Admissions Requirements:

Application and fee
Statement of Purpose
Transcripts
Resume

Applied Statistics

Deadline: Rolling Admission
Fall Admission preferred

Admissions Requirements:

Application and fee
Statement of Purpose
Transcripts
Resume

Arts Management

Deadline: Rolling Admission
Fall and Spring Admission only

Admissions Requirements:

Application and fee
Statement of Purpose
Transcripts
Resume

Asian Studies

Deadline: Rolling Admission

Admission Requirements:

Application and fee
Statement of Purpose
Transcripts
Resume

Audio Production

Deadline: Rolling Admission
Fall and Spring Admission only

Admissions Requirements:

Statement of Purpose
Transcripts
Resume
Portfolio*

Clinical Biochemistry

Open to students with a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution who have completed one year of calculus and one year of laboratory science (biology, chemistry, geology, or physics).

Admissions Requirements