MA in International Affairs Policy & Analysis

Bachelor's Degree

Applicants are required to submit transcripts from all institutions attended. Cultural factors are considered in evaluating transcripts and examination results.

International graduate students requesting immigration documents from American University for an F-1 or J-1 visa must submit supporting financial proof and the Certification of Finances for International Students (CFIS) Form to the Graduate Admissions Office.

All applicants to SIS graduate programs are required to submit two letters of recommendation to support their application. Letters of recommendation should evaluate the applicant's academic performance and suitability for graduate study in international affairs. For MA programs, we strongly recommend that at least one of the letters be from a faculty member who knows your work well.

Your resume/CV allows the review committee to assess your background and previous experiences and will serve as the detailed source of information about your employment. We encourage applicants to be detailed and thorough in preparing their resumes, and to include internships and volunteer experiences in addition to traditional full-time work experiences.

Please review the three admission essay questions below. Upload your completed PDF to the SIS Statement of Purpose Supplemental Item within your application portal. Note that the Supplemental Items section is only available for upload after you have submitted the online application form. Question 1: Personal Narrative/Overview Length: 400 words Please share the story of how your background, experiences, and academic interests have led you to pursue graduate school at this time and in this field. What has prepared you for this endeavor and what unique skills, experiences, or perspectives would you bring to SIS? Question 2: SIS Graduate Program Length: 400 word The field of International Affairs is broad, and SIS has a wide range of degree options reflecting that breadth. Please tell us (1) why you are applying to the specific program you have chosen and (2) how you think this degree will serve your academic and professional aspirations. A substantive answer to this prompt should consider the following: how does this program connect to issues/problems that you would like to impact; what curricular opportunities (e.g. courses/concentration options, study abroad, skills-building, etc.) are you most interested in, and why; who are the faculty you'd like to work with, and why. Question 3: Values Length: 400 words The professional field of International Affairs continues to be limited by its lack of diversity, especially—but not only—racial, ethnic, and gender diversity. SIS is committed to making the field more closely resemble the diversity of our population by training our students to recognize inclusion as a key to identifying innovative solutions for the global challenges we face. With this aspect of SIS' mission in mind, please respond to one of the following questions: How would your understanding of the global challenges of social inequality and inequity inform your studies at SIS, your role in the SIS community, and your future work? How have you engaged with racial/ethnic diversity in your past school or work environments, and/or how do you envision yourself contributing to a more inclusive workplace in graduate school and your future career?

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