This policy regulates the admission of applicants to Graduate Programs at the American University of Armenia (AUA).

AUA practices holistic admissions and seeks to admit students who demonstrate scholastic achievement, potential, and motivation to accomplish goals that are commensurate with the University's mission. The final application decisions are made by the Graduate Admissions Committee (GAC). The GAC considers both academic and personal information including academic history, professional experience, graduate admissions test scores, the statement of purpose, recommendation letters, and the interview, if applicable. 

The American University of Armenia is open to all academically qualified applicants regardless of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical and/or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, sex, age, or sexual orientation. 

Meeting all requirements does not guarantee admission to AUA’s graduate programs. Factors such as program capacity and the competitiveness of an individual’s application within the applicant pool are also taken into consideration.

Decisions made by the GAC cannot be appealed.

To be eligible for admission to AUA, applicants must meet the Graduate Admissions general requirements as well as any additional requirements stipulated by each program. Refer to https://admissions.aua.am/graduate/application-requirements/ for all application requirements.

1. Graduate Admissions General Requirements

To be considered for admission to AUA’s graduate programs, applicants must meet the following Graduate Admissions General Requirements:

• Submit a complete AUA Application for Admission to Graduate Studies and all required supplements as outlined in the application instructions
• Satisfy the English language proficiency requirement
• Hold a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent), or are currently enrolled in the final year of studies, from an accredited or licensed institution of higher education. Admitted students must submit proof of graduation prior to the start of classes      

1.1 Application for Admission to Graduate Studies

Applicants to AUA’s graduate programs must submit a complete Application for Admission to Graduate Studies electronically through http://admissions.aua.am/apply. The application includes all required documents/supplements as outlined at https://admissions.aua.am/graduate/application-requirements/ and in the application instructions and must be submitted by the published admissions deadlines. Applicants may indicate up to two programs of studies in their application.

1.2 Application Fee

Applicants and reapplicants submitting applications for Admission to Graduate Studies must pay an application fee. The application fee is non-refundable and subject to change. For an up-to-date fee please refer to https://admissions.aua.am/graduate/application-requirements.

Only complete applications are considered for admission to AUA’s Graduate Programs.

1.3 English Language Proficiency Requirement

The language of instruction at AUA is English. Applicants are required to demonstrate English language proficiency to be considered for admission. Some applicants may be eligible to receive a waiver of the English Language Proficiency Requirement if they meet the criteria in the English Language Proficiency Test Waiver policy. Others must submit official exam results confirming English Language Proficiency either from the Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet Based Test (TOEFL iBT) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic).

Target score requirements for admission are as follows:

• TOEFL iBT – 79 or higher
• IELTS Academic – 6.5 or higher

Some programs may set higher target scores. Such cases are documented at https://admissions.aua.am/graduate/application-requirements/.

Applicants must ensure that official, valid test scores are reported electronically to the AUA on or by the published admission deadline date to which they are applying. TOEFL iBT test takers must indicate AUA’s institution code of 4151 for TOEFL iBT at the time of registration. IELTS Academic test takers must electronically report their scores to AUA.

Applicants with scores below the targets may be considered for conditional admission. However, applicants with a 67 or lower on the TOEFL iBT or 5.5 or lower on the IELTS Academic will be automatically denied admission.

Both tests are valid for two years.

Each year, the GAC and certain Academic Programs may recommend alternative assessments for English language proficiency. Such cases are outlined at https://admissions.aua.am/graduate/application-requirements.

Exceptional cases may be reviewed on a case by case basis by the GAC.

See English Language Proficiency Test Waiver policy

2. Program Specific Requirements

Depending on the selected field of study, certain programs may set additional requirements subject to change, including a graduate standardized test result. Refer to https://admissions.aua.am/graduate/application-requirements.

2.1 Graduate Program Standardized Tests

Some graduate programs require a graduate program standardized test as part of their admissions requirements. Visit http://admissions.aua.am/graduate/selection-process-target-scores/ for additional test requirements.

Applicants must ensure that official, valid test scores are reported electronically to AUA directly by the testing service on or by the published admission deadline to which they are applying. AUA’s institution code for the tests are as follows:

• GRE code 0676
• GMAT code 0284

Each test is valid for five years.

Each year, the GAC and certain Academic Programs may recommend alternative assessments for Graduate Standardized Tests (GST). Such cases are outlined at https://admissions.aua.am/graduate/application-requirements.

Exceptional cases will be reviewed on a case by case basis.

3. Graduate Admission Deadlines

Fall Admission

Applicants are encouraged to submit applications as soon as possible and well before the published admission deadlines.

Any new information presented after the given admission deadline will not be taken into consideration.

Admission deadlines are posted online at https://admissions.aua.am/graduate/#deadline.  

Spring Admission

Some programs may offer spring admission. Applicants should check the AUA Admissions website at https://admissions.aua.am/graduate/#howapp in the fall for information on deadlines for programs offering spring admission. 

4. Reapplication and Readmissions

Applicants whose applications were previously denied, technically ineligible, or incomplete must submit a new Application for Admission to Graduate Studies. Admitted applicants who did not enroll at AUA, did not defer their offer of admission, or permanently withdraw must also reapply. Dismissed students may also reapply but should refer to the Probation and Dismissal Policy first to check their eligibility. Reapplicants should submit any documents that provide new information or evidence that supports their ability to succeed in their studies at AUA. 

5. Graduate Application Status and Admissions Decision

The GAC makes decisions on complete and eligible applications. Applicants who submit complete applications by the published admission deadlines will receive notification of their admission status via email, within twelve weeks after the respective deadline. Applicants submitting new information after the published deadline date may be moved to the next deadline, if available.

Graduate Application Statuses are categorized as follows:

Admission: Applicant is offered admission to the program indicated in the Admission Status Letter.

Conditional Admission: An applicant who does not meet the target requirements for admission, but otherwise demonstrates the potential to successfully pursue a graduate degree at AUA, may be offered conditional admission. Students admitted conditionally will be required to meet all conditions as stipulated in their Admission Status Letter. Failure to meet stipulated conditions will result in the University rescinding the offer of conditional admission or other actions including but not limited to termination from the university.

Denial: Applicant is denied admission to AUA. 

Deferred: An applicant is deferred and moved to the following admissions deadline for further consideration. Prior to this deadline, the applicant may submit new information that may augment his/her Application for Admission to Graduate Study. Applicants who are deferred will receive an updated Admissions Status Letter during the notification period of the next deadline.

Waitlist: An applicant is offered a spot on the waitlist for the program indicated in the Application Status Letter.

Each year, a number of applicants may be placed on a waitlist for admission due to limited space. Applicants on the waiting list will be notified if and when places become available in the entering class but no later than one week before the start of classes.  The final Application Status Update will be sent to remaining waitlisted applicants.

10. Verification of Credentials

AUA’s Office of Admissions reserves the right to verify the information listed in the Application for Admission to Graduate Study and any additional documents submitted during the admissions process.  Intentionally giving false or misleading information in the application will result in the rejection of the application.

11. Responding to Offers of Admission

Along with the offer of admission, applicants receive a link to the Intent to Enroll form. Admitted students must complete the Intent to Enroll form and submit the non-refundable tuition deposit by the indicated deadline mentioned on the Intent to Enroll form to confirm their seat in the particular program to which they have been admitted. Admitted students who fail to submit a complete Intent to Enroll form and submit the tuition deposit on time risk losing their seat.

12. Return of Application Materials

Once submitted, the Application for Admission to Graduate Study and all supplemental documents become the property of the American University of Armenia and will not be returned to the applicant.

13. Submitting Applicant Specific Inquiries

All questions relating to the status of an applicant must be submitted to the Office of Admissions directly by the applicant.