Graduate: Frequently Asked Questions

AUA offers the following graduate degrees:

• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• Master of Science in Management and Analytics (MSMA) 
• Master of Science in Economics (MSE)
• Master of Engineering in Industrial Engineering and Systems Management (MEIESM)
• Master of Science in Computer and Information Science (MSCIS)
• Master of Laws (LL.M.)
• Master of Arts in Human Rights and Social Justice (MAHRSJ)
• Master of Arts in International Relations and Diplomacy (MAIRD)
• Master of Public Affairs (MPA)
• Master of Arts in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (MATEFL)
• Master of Arts in Multiplatform Journalism (MAMJ)
• Master of Public Health (MPH)
  

You can find detailed information regarding these programs here.

AUA offers the following graduate certificate programs:

• Graduate Certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (CTEFL)
• Graduate Certificate in Translation (CTr)
• Graduate Certificate in Tourism and Hospitality Management (CTHM)
• Graduate Certificate in Data Analytics (CDA)
• Graduate Executive Certificate in Management (ECM) 

You can find detailed information regarding these programs here.

Yes, AUA invites students who are interested in AUA to sample our courses on an individual basis prior to applying or enrolling in our graduate programs. Such individuals are defined as non-degree students. For more information regarding non-degree studies, visit here, and read the AUA Non-Degree Status policy.

The language of instruction for all graduate programs at AUA is English.

In rare cases, upon prior approval of the corresponding program chair, students may study part-time and graduate within three academic years. Talk to the Program Chair of your preferred program to discuss this option.

No, AUA does not offer any online programs (distance learning), unless otherwise declared by the Government of Armenia in cases of State of Emergency.

Yes, AUA typically offers Open Classes at the Graduate level. These are actual classes that prospective students can attend once, at no cost. To learn about the available courses, class schedule, and registration process, email the program of your interest.

No. To change your program of study, you must permanently withdraw from your current program at AUA and reapply for admission to your preferred program, following all admissions requirements and deadlines. Visit our Program and Major Change policy for more information.

Graduate tuition rates are listed here.

AUA is committed to providing the best possible education for its students. For citizens of the Republic of Armenia and holders of Armenian Special Passport for Special Residency status, AUA provides an automatic 2,000,000 AMD (2,400,000 AMD in case of MBA) subsidy off the total cost of their education. The University also offers need-based tuition assistance to citizens of Armenia who demonstrate financial need, discounting the cost of education further by up to 90%. There are also a limited number of scholarships available for academically gifted students. International students are eligible for merit-based scholarships that may cover up to 50% of the tuition.

Visit this page to learn more about the various tools available to help support you in financing your education, and contact a Financial Aid Counselor at [email protected] to set up your own personal consultation.

No! If you plan on applying for tuition assistance (available to citizens of Armenia only), you must submit a separate application to the Office of Financial Aid at the same time that you apply for admission. So if you plan on applying by Early admission, you must apply for the tuition assistance by the Early Financial Aid deadline. For more information about financial aid, visit finaid.aua.am. For a list of their deadlines, visit finaid.aua.am/deadlines.

If you plan on applying for an international scholarship, you must submit a separate Application for International Scholarship to the Office of Financial Aid according to the deadline set by the Financial Aid office here. However, we encourage you to submit the application as soon as possible, when submitting your application for admission.

Yes, you may apply to AUA even if you do not yet have your 10-year special residency status. If you are accepted to AUA, your tuition will be reassessed during the execution of your education contract as long as you have already obtained the 10-year residency status. If for some reason there is a delay in receiving your 10 year residency status, please contact the Office of the Registrar to inquire about the possibility of reassessing your tuition.

Anyone who meets the AUA general and program-specific graduate admissions requirements as listed here.

You can find information regarding the requirements here. We are also listing them below:

• Satisfy the English language proficiency requirement
• Hold a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent), or be 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 at AUA
• Submit a complete AUA Application for Admission to Graduate Studies

Read the English Language Proficiency Test Waiver policy to check your eligibility. To apply for a waiver, submit an online Application for Waivers at apply.aua.am.

For information regarding the target scores and automatic denial thresholds visit here.

For AUA to receive your official TOEFL iBT test score(s), you must indicate AUA’s institution code (4151) at the time of registration. For the IELTS Academic test, you must indicate AUA’s institution code (40 Baghramyan Ave, Yerevan) during your exam. 

For information regarding the target scores and available internal assessment options visit here.

Applicants must ensure that valid test scores are reported electronically to AUA directly by the testing service on or by the published deadline to which they are applying. To do so, please make sure to include AUA’s institution codes as follows:

• GRE code 0676
• GMAT code 0284 
• LSAT test takers should indicate their LSAT account number. We will then obtain the official score report directly from the LSAC.

You should request an additional score report through your test account and indicate AUA as a score report recipient by putting our institution codes as listed under points 3 and 4 on our Application Requirements page. However, note that this will cost you an additional fee and take more time. 

You should submit a complete online Application for Admission to Graduate Studies at apply.aua.am within the published admissions deadlines.

Yes. In your application, you can mention a first and second choice programs of interest. While you need to submit one application, you must write a separate statement of purpose for each program.

Yes. Refer to our Deadlines for detailed information.

It is your responsibility to submit a complete application. If you forgot to attach a required document, contact the Office of Admissions and make sure to send those missing documents via email to [email protected] as soon as possible, within a week of the deadline.

Note that only complete and eligible applications are considered for admission!

If you retake the exam after the deadline for your submitted application and want your score to be considered, this will be considered as new information, and result in moving your application to the next available deadline for consideration. No new information will be considered after the Rolling Admission deadline (or the Regular Admission deadline for programs starting in the Summer term). Please make sure you notify us via email at [email protected], and send us your official test score. 

Your application fee should be paid online or through a bank transfer, after submitting your application. You will receive a separate message from the Office of Admissions regarding the payment instructions within two-three weeks of the deadline. We strongly encourage applicants to make payments online as it may take up to 10 business days for your account to reflect a bank transfer. 

Two recommendation letters. Your application will not be considered complete without the submission of both recommendation letters. If you are applying to more than one program, you still should submit only two recommendation letters.

Recommendation letters should be submitted online, as part of your application. Once you complete your recommenders’ information in your application, they will receive a notification along with the template. They shall complete the form and submit it by the deadline you intend to apply.

Yes. Recommendation letters should be submitted online using our recommendation letter template. They cannot be submitted via email or in hard copy.

The best recommenders are those who know you well and can fully assess your ability to perform and succeed in your graduate studies. Recommendations typically come from current or former professors and/or supervisors from a job or internship. The recommender cannot be a friend or a family member.

AUA prefers receiving recommendation letters in English.

No. AUA will not consider any recommendation letter attached to your online application. Since recommendation letters are confidential, they should  be submitted online, by your recommenders.

In order for your application to be considered complete, you must ensure that you meet all requirements by the deadline you plan on applying, including the submission of your recommendation letters. If your recommender delays the submission of your letter, then note that your application will be marked incomplete.

Yes, you may use a recommendation letter previously submitted with your AUA application, provided it is still valid. Recommendation letters are valid for one year. If you plan to use a valid recommendation letter(s) from your previous AUA application, email [email protected] detailing which recommendation letter you would like to be considered, no later than the application submission deadline.

Since recommendation letters should be submitted online, you cannot use recommendations provided to you for other purposes.

Applicants who submit complete applications will receive notification of their admission status via email within twelve weeks of the deadline to which they applied. Decisions for Rolling and Spring Admissions are typically released earlier.

No. AUA practices holistic admissions. We select students who have the skills and ability to succeed at AUA and assure that AUA is well suited to their educational and career goals. 

As admission to AUA is also competitive, both the Academic Program Admission and the Graduate Admission Committees consider your academic and personal information, including academic credentials, professional experience, graduate entrance exam scores, the statement of purpose, recommendation letters, and the interview, if you are invited to one.

Yes. Foreign nationals need valid travel documents to enter Armenia. Individuals must ensure they apply for and have a passport in time to obtain the necessary visas for Armenia. Some countries require that passports have a minimum of six months validity for travel purposes. To have detailed information about the visa, you need to email Anzhela Balasanyan – the Coordinator of International Student Services, at [email protected].

Yes. Please visit our Housing page for detailed information.

Yes. The American University of Armenia is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission, 1001 Marina Village Parkway, Suite 402, Alameda, CA 94501, 510.748.9001, www.wscuc.org.

AUA’s faculty brings world-class education, teaching, and professional experience to the classrooms and students of the University. They hold advanced degrees from renowned universities including Cambridge, Columbia, Harvard, McGill, MIT, Moscow State, Stanford, Yerevan State, and others. They represent a range of professional experiences including CEOs of leading local companies, entrepreneurs, technology consultants, IT visionaries, media professionals, published authors, government advisors, partners at major global accounting firms, bankers, and more.

According to the Law of the Republic of Armenia on Military Service and the Status of Military Serviceman, universities do not provide military deferment to admitted students. If you are interested in obtaining military deferment, please check with the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports and the Ministry of Defense.