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 the motivation to accomplish goals that are commensurate with the University's mission. Final 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. 

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.

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.

1. Graduate Admissions General Requirements

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

• 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
• Submit a complete AUA Application for Admission to Graduate Study

2. Application for Admission to Graduate Study

Applicants to AUA’s graduate programs must submit a complete Application for Admission to Graduate Study electronically through http://im.aua.am. 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 deadline dates in order to be considered for admission. Applicants may indicate up to two programs of study in their application.

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

3. English Language Proficiency Requirement

The language of instruction at AUA is English. Applicants whose primary language is not English 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.

Native or near-native English speakers may apply for a waiver should they meet the eligibility requirements as outlined in the English Language Proficiency Test Waiver policy. Each year, the GAC and certain Academic Programs may recommend alternative assessments for English language proficiency. Such cases will be outlined at https://admissions.aua.am/graduate/application-requirements/.

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

4. See English Language Proficiency Test Waiver policy
5. 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 date 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.

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

6. Graduate Admission Deadlines

Fall Admission

Applicants are encouraged to submit applications as soon as possible and well before the published admission deadlines. Applicants who submit complete applications earlier will typically be notified of their application status decision earlier.

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

Pending space availability, applicants may submit applications by the rolling admissions deadline. Applicants submitting complete applications by or on the rolling admissions deadline date are considered on a space-available basis. Applicants admitted from the rolling admissions pool risk limiting their selection of courses during registration. For these reasons, applicants are encouraged to apply by the early and regular published deadlines. Rolling admissions is not available to programs starting in the summer term.

Any change and/or additional information presented by applicants in their application after the admissions deadline will result in moving the application to the following deadline date. Applicants who receive their application status decision and submit new information prior to the Rolling Admissions deadline date may have their status reconsidered. No new information will be considered after the Rolling Admissions 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 deadline dates for programs offering spring admission. 

7. Non-Refundable Application Fee

Applicants and re-applicants submitting an Application for Admission to Graduate Study must pay a non-refundable application fee. For an up-to-date list of fees, please refer to http://admissions.aua.am/graduate/tuition-and-fees/.

8. Reapplication and Readmissions

Applicants whose applications were previously denied, technically ineligible, or incomplete must submit a new Application for Admission to Graduate Study. Admitted applicants who did not enroll at AUA, did not defer their offer of admission, or permanently withdrew must also reapply. Dismissed students may also reapply but should refer to the Probation and Dismissal Policy. Re-applicants must submit a complete application by the published admission deadlines.

If re-applicants apply for admission within the same academic year, they need not resubmit transcript(s), diploma(s), certificate(s), and other attachments already submitted with their initial Application for Admission to Graduate Study. Re-applicants should, however, submit any documents that provide new information or evidence that supports their ability to succeed in their studies at AUA.

9. Graduate Application Status and Admissions Decision

The GAC only makes decisions on complete and eligible applications. Applicants who submit complete applications by the published admission deadlines will receive notification of their admission status by email, up to twelve weeks after the respective deadline. Applicants submitting new information after the published deadline date by which they want to be considered (including test retakes) will be moved to the next available deadline. Any new information submitted after the published rolling admissions deadline, however, will not be considered. Decisions made by the Graduate Admissions Committee cannot be appealed.

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.