American University International Programs: Your Complete Guide to Studying in Washington DC

Why Choose American University for International Study

American University occupies a unique position in American higher education: a mid-size private research university situated on Embassy Row in Washington, DC — one of the most international cities in the United States. With over 1,830 international students from 122 countries comprising 13% of its student body, AU is built for students who see the world as their arena. The university’s motto, “Changemakers for a Changing World,” reflects an institutional culture that prizes engagement, activism, and real-world impact over detached academic theory.

What truly distinguishes American University from other US research universities is the seamless integration of academic study with professional experience. An extraordinary 91% of AU students complete at least one internship during their undergraduate years — a figure that dwarfs the national average — and the DC location makes possible placements that few other universities can match. Students intern at the White House, the World Bank, CNN, the United Nations, embassies, and major consulting firms, gaining experiences that transform resumes and career trajectories. The result speaks for itself: 93% of AU graduates are employed, in graduate school, or both within six months of commencement.

For international students specifically, AU’s holistic admissions approach removes one of the biggest barriers to studying in the United States: standardised testing. The American University admissions office does not require SAT or ACT scores from students graduating from secondary schools outside the US, including US citizens studying abroad. This policy recognises that international educational systems assess student ability in diverse ways that a single American test cannot capture. Students comparing US institutions for international programmes may also find our guide to Vanderbilt’s engineering graduate programs useful for a complementary perspective on American research universities.

Academic Schools and Undergraduate Programs at AU

American University organises its academic offerings across six schools, each with distinctive strengths that leverage the university’s Washington DC location. The College of Arts and Sciences serves as the liberal arts foundation, offering programmes ranging from biochemistry and computer science to musical theatre and philosophy. The college teaches twelve languages — Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Swahili — reflecting the university’s global orientation.

The School of International Service (SIS) is arguably AU’s crown jewel and one of the most respected international affairs programmes in the world. SIS offers international studies with thematic concentrations spanning environmental sustainability and global health, foreign policy and national security, global inequality and development, peace and conflict resolution, and justice, ethics, and human rights. Located minutes from the State Department, USAID, and dozens of international organisations, SIS students have unparalleled access to practitioners shaping global policy in real time.

The Kogod School of Business provides a distinctive business education that integrates international perspectives throughout its curriculum. The Business, Language, and Culture programme — which combines business training with intensive study in Arabic, French, German, Russian, or Spanish — is a standout offering that prepares graduates for careers in global commerce. The School of Communication delivers excellent programmes in journalism, film and media arts, and public relations, capitalising on Washington’s status as the nation’s media nerve centre. The School of Public Affairs, with its unique CLEG programme (Communication, Legal Institutions, Economics, and Government), and the School of Education round out AU’s academic portfolio.

AU also offers several accelerated Three-Year Scholars Programs — Global Scholars, Public Health Scholars, and Politics, Policy, and Law Scholars — that require additional application but allow students to complete their bachelor’s degree in three years rather than four, saving a full year of tuition and living expenses. For students who want to learn about engineering programmes at other top US universities, our guide to Vanderbilt’s engineering offerings provides a useful comparison point.

International Admissions Requirements and Process

The application process for international students at American University follows the standard US framework while incorporating accommodations that recognise the diversity of global educational systems. Applicants submit either the Common Application or Coalition Application along with a $75 application fee. Academic documentation must cover the equivalent of US grades 9 through 12, accompanied by a secondary school counselor recommendation and a teacher recommendation letter.

English proficiency is required for all applicants whose first language is not English, but AU is flexible about how this can be demonstrated — either through secondary school curriculum conducted in English or through standardised testing. Critically, students who will need an F-1 or J-1 visa to study in the US must also provide the AU Certification of Finances form and a bank letter showing access to approximately $70,231 or equivalent, reflecting the total annual cost of attendance.

AU offers multiple application timelines: Early Decision (November 15), Early Decision II (January 15), and Regular Decision (January 15). International students who are not admitted through direct entry have additional pathways available. The International Accelerator Program (IAP) is a one-year transition programme combining intensive English instruction with coursework, after which students enter their second year as degree-seeking students. The American Collegiate Program offers two to three semesters of credit-bearing coursework with English support, designed to facilitate transfer to AU or any other university. These alternative pathways demonstrate AU’s commitment to creating multiple routes to success for international students.

Scholarships and Financial Aid for International Students

Financial planning is a critical consideration for international students, and American University offers several pathways to make its education more accessible. All academically qualified international and US Global Nomad applicants are automatically considered for partial merit-based scholarships — no separate application is required. These scholarships are highly competitive but can significantly reduce the overall cost of attendance, which totals approximately $70,231 per year including tuition, room, board, books, insurance, and personal expenses.

The flagship scholarship for international students is the AU Emerging Global Leader Scholarship (AU EGLS), one of the most generous awards available to international undergraduates at any American university. The EGLS covers all billable AU expenses — full tuition, room, and board — for one international student per year. The scholarship is renewable for four years of undergraduate study provided the recipient maintains satisfactory academic performance. Recipients are responsible only for non-billable expenses including health insurance, books, and airline tickets, totalling approximately $4,000 per year.

The EGLS programme seeks students who need a visa (preferably F-1 or J-1) to study in the United States and who demonstrate both academic excellence and a commitment to positive social change. Past EGLS scholars have come from countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Eastern Europe, bringing perspectives that enrich the entire AU community. The competitive nature of this scholarship — one recipient per year from a global applicant pool — makes it exceptionally prestigious, and recipients join an alumni network of proven changemakers who have gone on to impactful careers in international affairs, public service, and business.

Internship Opportunities and Career Outcomes in DC

American University’s internship programme is arguably its most powerful differentiator. The 91% student internship participation rate is not an aspirational target — it is a measured outcome that reflects the university’s systematic approach to connecting students with professional opportunities. Washington DC is home to federal government agencies, international organisations, embassies, major media companies, consulting firms, non-profits, and technology companies, creating an internship ecosystem unmatched by any other American city.

The range of organisations where AU students intern illustrates the breadth of opportunity. In media and communications, students have worked at ABC News, CNN, ESPN, National Geographic, the Washington Post, and the Wall Street Journal. In government and policy, placements include the White House, FBI, Peace Corps, and the European Commission. International organisations — the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, United Nations, NATO, and the Asian Development Bank — represent another major category. The financial services sector offers positions at Deloitte, EY, KPMG, PwC, Morgan Stanley, and American Express.

Embassy internships provide a uniquely DC experience. AU students have interned at the embassies of Bahrain, Canada, Chile, Great Britain, Korea, Pakistan, and Panama, among others — opportunities that are virtually impossible to access from any other university location. The AU Career Center provides personalised guidance for international students navigating the US internship landscape, including advice on visa requirements for work authorisation. For students considering how university programmes translate to career outcomes, our guide to Oxford’s MSc in Advanced Computer Science offers insights into how elite programmes structure career preparation.

Study Abroad and Global Learning Programs

Despite being located in one of the world’s most international cities, American University recognises that there is no substitute for immersive experience in another country. An impressive 70% of AU students study abroad at least once before graduation — a rate that ranks among the highest for any American research university. AU Abroad offers over 150 programmes across more than 50 countries on six continents, ensuring that students in every discipline can find a programme that complements their academic and career goals.

The study abroad portfolio is remarkably diverse in both geography and structure. In Asia, students can attend Waseda University in Japan, Yonsei University in Korea, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, or National Chengchi University in Taiwan. European options include the London School of Economics, Oxford University, the University of Edinburgh, Freie Universität Berlin, and the Copenhagen DIS programme. Latin American programmes span Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, and Uruguay. Middle Eastern offerings include the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and intensive Arabic studies in Amman, Jordan.

Several programmes are particularly distinctive. AU Sharjah provides a semester in the United Arab Emirates, while the European Union in Action programme in Belgium gives students first-hand exposure to EU governance. The Turkana Basin Field School in Kenya combines archaeological research with East African cultural immersion. The Bard-Smolny Program in Russia offers a rare opportunity for academic study in St. Petersburg. These programmes are not tourist experiences — they are rigorous academic programmes that earn credit toward the AU degree while developing the cross-cultural competencies that employers increasingly demand.

Campus Life and Student Experience at American University

Life at American University combines the intimacy of a mid-size institution with the resources and energy of a major research university. With an average class size of 23 and a student-to-faculty ratio of 11:1, students benefit from meaningful faculty interaction that is often lost at larger institutions. This intimate academic environment does not mean a limited social life — AU supports 150 student-run clubs and organisations, 15 NCAA Division I Patriot League athletic teams plus men’s wrestling, and 45 options in club and intramural sports.

The residential experience is a cornerstone of AU student life. Twelve residence halls on campus house students in a community that fosters friendships and cultural exchange. With 32% students of colour and representatives from all 50 US states and 122 countries, the residential environment is genuinely diverse. Sixteen dining locations cater to every dietary need, accommodating the varied food requirements of a truly international student body. The university regularly hosts high-profile speakers — from Dr. Jane Goodall to former heads of state — leveraging its DC location to bring world-shaping thinkers directly to campus.

The AU Diplomats programme provides a particularly valuable community for international students and US Global Nomads (Americans who grew up outside the United States). Diplomats serve as student ambassadors, sharing their experiences and first impressions of AU to help incoming students prepare for the transition. This peer-to-peer support network complements the formal advising and orientation services provided by the university, creating a multi-layered support system that helps international students thrive from their first day on campus.

Living in Washington DC as an International Student

Washington, DC offers international students an experience unlike any other American city. As the seat of the US federal government and home to the headquarters of major international organisations including the World Bank, IMF, and Organization of American States, DC provides daily exposure to global governance in action. The city hosts over 170 embassies and diplomatic missions, creating one of the most cosmopolitan environments in North America. For students of international affairs, public policy, journalism, or business, this environment is not merely a backdrop — it is an essential learning resource.

AU’s campus sits on Embassy Row in one of DC’s safest and most beautiful neighbourhoods. The green, tree-lined campus is just a 20-minute trip from downtown DC and the Capitol Building. All AU students receive a U-Pass that provides unlimited access to the city’s Metro subway and bus systems, making the entire capital region accessible without a car. This public transit benefit is worth hundreds of dollars annually and ensures that students can reach internship sites, cultural attractions, and social destinations across the city with ease.

Beyond the political and professional opportunities, Washington DC is a world-class cultural centre. The Smithsonian Institution operates 19 museums and galleries — all free to the public — along the National Mall. The Kennedy Center presents performing arts, the Library of Congress is the world’s largest library, and neighbourhoods like Georgetown, Adams Morgan, and DuPont Circle offer vibrant dining, shopping, and nightlife scenes. DC’s professional sports teams compete in all major leagues, and the city’s food scene reflects its international character with cuisines from every corner of the globe. For a comparison with other international study destinations, our guide to Bristol’s MSc in Engineering and Sustainability highlights a very different but equally enriching university city experience.

How to Apply to American University: Deadlines and Process

Applying to American University requires careful attention to deadlines and documentation. The university operates three admissions cycles: Early Decision (binding, deadline November 15), Early Decision II (binding, deadline January 15), and Regular Decision (non-binding, deadline January 15). International students should note that Early Decision is a binding commitment — if accepted, you are obligated to attend AU and withdraw applications from all other universities. This option is best suited for students who are certain that AU is their first choice.

The complete application checklist for international students includes the Common Application or Coalition Application, the $75 application fee, secondary school reports and academic records, counselor and teacher recommendation letters, and demonstration of English proficiency. Visa-seeking students must additionally submit the AU Certification of Finances form and a bank letter confirming access to the full cost of attendance (approximately $70,231). The Common Application platform streamlines the process, and the Study in the States portal from the US Department of Homeland Security provides essential visa guidance. The application process by allowing students to apply to multiple universities with a single core application.

Students who are not admitted through the standard process may be offered alternative pathways rather than an outright denial. Spring admission with the Mentorship Program combines on-campus study with a DC internship or a study abroad experience in England. The International Accelerator Program provides a structured one-year bridge combining English language development with credit-bearing coursework. The American Collegiate Program offers two to three semesters of preparation with counselling support for transfer to AU or another university. These multiple entry points demonstrate AU’s commitment to finding the right pathway for every qualified student, regardless of whether they are immediately ready for traditional first-year entry.

Students exploring US university options alongside international alternatives may find our guide to the University of Melbourne’s programmes helpful, while those interested in European technology programmes should check our guide to EPFL’s MSc in Materials Science and Engineering.