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Admissions Overview

Welcome to AU’s Admissions

At American University, we strive to make the admissions process as simple as possible, which is why our enrollment advisors are standing by to help you every step of the way. Whether you have questions on how to submit your transcripts or need advice on whom to turn to for a letter of recommendation, our team can walk you through your application from start to finish. Admissions requirements differ by program, so keep scrolling to see what you need for your application. Please don’t hesitate to contact an enrollment advisor with any questions.

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Start your application by creating an account in our application portal. See the list of application materials below.

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Contact Us

Have questions? Our enrollment advisors are here to help. Email us at soeonline@american.edu or call us at 202-807-6173

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All prospective students are always welcome to tour our campus.
Email: education@american.edu

I began to feel that my current skill set and experiences had leveled out and that I wanted to do more and dream bigger, but I did not have the resources/tools to do this. There is a significant access gap in rural communities, and we are often left out of the national conversation. Pursuing this degree allows me the opportunity to gain a new skill set, new ideas, and new connections that I can bring back to my school. This degree will benefit not only me but the nine rural towns over 250 square miles who send their students to my school. Additionally, as I plan for my future, I envision pursuing a superintendency and/or working for a national education organization, and the policy work I will do through this program will support my pursuit of these goals.

Marisa Mendonsa
Principal of a grades 7-12 school from Massachusetts

Key Dates & Deadlines

Applications require a $55 application fee.

MAT Elementary Education

Summer 2025
Priority Deadline
March 24, 2025
Final Deadline
April 21, 2025
Classes Start
May 13, 2025
Fall 2025
Priority Deadline
June 6, 2025
Final Deadline
July 28, 2025
Classes Start
August 25, 2025

MAT Special Education: Learning Disabilities

Summer 2025
Priority Deadline
March 24, 2025
Final Deadline
April 21, 2025
Classes Start
May 13, 2025
Fall 2025
Priority Deadline
June 6, 2025
Final Deadline
July 28, 2025
Classes Start
August 25, 2025

MEd

Summer 2025
Priority Deadline
March 24, 2025
Final Deadline
April 21, 2025
Classes Start
May 13, 2025
Fall 2025
Priority Deadline
June 6, 2025
Final Deadline
July 28, 2025
Classes Start
August 25, 2025

EdD

Fall 2025
Application Deadline
January 13, 2025
Deposit Deadline
April 21, 2025

Online MAT Elementary Education Application Requirements

Your statement of purpose should be approximately 500-1,000 words. Your statement of purpose can be uploaded on the Supplemental Items listing page. When preparing the statement of purpose, candidates should address the following:

  • Describe how your previous professional, educational, and personal experience inform your decision to apply to this program
  • Describe what you think you will gain from your participation in this program and your goals after completion
  • Identify any specific elements of the program that attract you

All applications require the unofficial transcripts from degree-seeking college institutions. Official transcripts are required only after the applicant has accepted admission to American University. AU standards ask for a minimum 3.0 GPA for undergraduate work in all degree-seeking coursework. Departments use unofficial transcripts during their review period to ensure applicants meet the minimum 3.0 GPA requirement for undergraduate work. Students who have below a 3.0 GPA in degree-seeking coursework will be required to submit a GPA supplemental statement that provides faculty reviewers a view into students’ academics.

Unofficial transcripts can be uploaded on the Supplemental Items Listing page in your application portal. 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 U.S. four-year degree. Please include a WES evaluation with your transcript Electronic transcripts may be sent via email to soeadmissions@american.edu. Hard copy transcripts may be mailed to:

School of Education
Attn: SOE Online Admissions
4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20016-8081

Note – students will enter the names and emails of their recommenders. If your recommender does not receive the email to submit their letter of recommendation, they can email their letter directly to the School of Education, education@american.edu.

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

  • MAT: 2 Letters of Recommendation Required

The résumé 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. Your résumé can be uploaded on the Supplemental Items Listing page.

Praxis CORE (or equivalencies) is no longer an admissions requirement. Instead, the requirement now is to take Praxis CORE (or equivalencies) by graduation with the strong recommendation to take it by the end of the first semester. For additional information on the Praxis, such as how to sign up and study resources, click here.

  • Prior teaching experience is not required but is strongly recommended.
  • TOEFL (non-native English speakers)
  • International Students: International applicants are eligible to apply, provided they have successfully completed the equivalent of a US Bachelor’s degree, have the appropriate diplomas and/or satisfactory results on transcripts.

MAT Special Education: Learning Disabilities Application Requirements

Admission to the Program

Students must meet the minimum university requirements for graduate study.

A student’s placement must go through a due diligence process for discriminatory policies and must be approved by the Program Director and Field Placement Coordinator.

Required Materials

  • Statement of purpose
  • Transcripts
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Resume

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 the Educator Testing Flyer or visit the OSSE website for additional test types.

How to Apply

Online MEd Application Requirements

Education Policy and Leadership: Your Statement of Purpose is a very important part of your application. It should be a well-written and carefully crafted paper of approximately 1,000 words in length. You should describe in detail your personal and career goals; relevant employment experience; reason for wanting to study at American University in the Education Policy and Leadership program; and ability and commitment to undertake graduate education at this time. Be sure to include your name on every page of your Statement of Purpose.

  • Describe how your previous professional, educational, and personal experience inform your decision to apply to this program
  • Describe what you think you will gain from your participation in this program and your goals after completion
  • Identify any specific elements of the program that attract you

All applications require the unofficial transcripts from degree-seeking college institutions. Official transcripts are required only after the applicant has accepted admission to American University. AU standards ask for a minimum 3.0 GPA for undergraduate work in all degree-seeking coursework. Departments use unofficial transcripts during their review period to ensure applicants meet the minimum 3.0 GPA requirement for undergraduate work. Students who have below a 3.0 GPA in degree-seeking coursework will be required to submit a GPA supplemental statement that provides faculty reviewers a view into students’ academics.

Unofficial transcripts can be uploaded on the Supplemental Items Listing page in your application portal. 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 U.S. four-year degree. Please include a WES evaluation with your transcript Electronic transcripts may be sent via email to soeadmissions@american.edu. Hard copy transcripts may be mailed to:

School of Education
Attn: SOE Online Admissions
4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20016-8081

Note – students will enter the names and emails of their recommenders. If your recommender does not receive the email to submit their letter of recommendation, they can email their letter directly to the School of Education, education@american.edu.

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

  • EPL: 2 Letters of Recommendation Required

The résumé 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. Your résumé can be uploaded on the Supplemental Items Listing page.

  • Prior teaching experience is not required but is strongly recommended.
  • TOEFL (non-native English speakers)
  • International Students: International applicants are eligible to apply, provided they have successfully completed the equivalent of a US Bachelor’s degree, have the appropriate diplomas and/or satisfactory results on transcripts.

Online EdD Application Requirements

An essay of up to three single-spaced pages (12-point font, one-inch margins) that addresses the following questions or issues:

  • What is your professional experience and how has it led you to pursue an EdD? Additionally, please reflect on a time you brought change or implemented an initiative within your professional context.
  • What is an educational leadership or policy issue connected to your work that you feel especially positioned to address through your doctoral research? Please reflect on any racial implications of this issue and how antiracism could factor into addressing this problem.
  • How do you anticipate that your EdD studies will help you advance your professional goals?
  • Why is American University’s EdD the right program for you? Please mention professors with whom you might like to study during the program.

An academic writing sample (e.g., a published or unpublished paper) that demonstrates clear, logical, conceptual, and analytical thinking, as well as the proper use of citations and references.

All applications require the unofficial transcripts from degree-seeking college institutions. Official transcripts are required only after the applicant has accepted admission to American University. AU standards ask for a minimum 3.0 GPA for undergraduate work in all degree-seeking coursework. Departments use unofficial transcripts during their review period to ensure applicants meet the minimum 3.0 GPA requirement for undergraduate work. Students who have below a 3.0 GPA in degree-seeking coursework will be required to submit a GPA supplemental statement that provides faculty reviewers a view into students’ academics.

Unofficial transcripts can be uploaded on the Supplemental Items Listing page in your application portal. 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 U.S. four-year degree. Please include a WES evaluation with your transcript Electronic transcripts may be sent via email to soeadmissions@american.edu. Hard copy transcripts may be mailed to:

School of Education
Attn: SOE Online Admissions
4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20016-8081

Note – students will enter the names and emails of their recommenders. If your recommender does not receive the email to submit their letter of recommendation, they can email their letter directly to the School of Education, education@american.edu.

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

The résumé 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. Your résumé can be uploaded on the Supplemental Items Listing page.

  • Prior teaching experience is not required, but is strongly recommended. The Admissions Committee carefully reviews each applicant’s personal and professional experience to assess readiness for graduate study at American University. In order to ensure your success, candidates must provide the following to be considered for the program:
  • A Master’s degree; if no Master’s degree, candidates will need to complete 24 graduate level credits prior to enrollment in the EdD
  • TOEFL (non-native English speakers)
  • International Students: International applicants are eligible to apply, provided they have successfully completed the equivalent of a US Master’s degree, have the appropriate diplomas and/or satisfactory results on transcripts and meet additional ELP requirements.
  • EdD applicants may be invited to attend an interview with EdD program faculty as part of the application process.

The AU Advantage for Military Students

Your country needs you, and AU wants to help you develop your potential as a leader in the classroom and as an education expert. Here are some of the benefits we offer to former military veterans, as one indication of how much we value your experience and service:

An AU Veteran Services officer will help you navigate the opportunities and requirements of the Post-9/11 GI Bill, which covers eligible individuals’ tuition and mandatory fees up to a cap. For additional support, please contact us at veterans@american.edu.

  • We will connect you with the AU Veterans Offices to find out more about the Yellow Ribbon Program.
  • Our high-touch admissions process includes waiving the application fee and working around your schedule and needs.
  • AU’s SOE includes access to a Leadership Development Program that integrates the services of seasoned executive coaches with the tools typically reserved for high-level executives at Fortune 500 companies.