FAQ
General Information >> FAQ
Undergraduate FAQ
What programs does the School of Communication offer?
There are three different bachelor's degree programs included under the School of Communication: Journalism, Public Communication, and Film and Media Arts.
What is the typical course load for SOC students?
SOC undergraduates average five classes or 15 credit hours per semester--allowing them to earn 120 credits required to graduate in four years.
How large is the School of Communication?
Approximately 850 undergraduates and 300 graduate students are enrolled in the SOC.
Do I directly apply to the School of Communication or to the University itself?
Students apply to American University. If you are interested in SOC, you should indicate that choice on your application, from there you will be assigned an SOC advisor when you are admitted, and you will be on your way to planning your degree program.Are there special admissions requirements for SOC?
Undergraduate admission requirements are the same for all five schools at AU. Check out the AU Admissions page for more details.
What is a typical course load for SOC students?
SOC undergraduates average five classes or 15 credit hours per semester--allowing them to earn the 120 credits required to graduate in four years.
What is the average class size in the School of Communication?
The average SOC undergraduate class size is under 20 students. Only a few of the freshmen courses are taught in large lecture rooms, otherwise even a sophomore class will likely have only 25-30 students.
Who teaches the freshman courses, faculty or teaching assistants?
SOC Faculty teach all SOC courses. Some courses are assigned a student teaching assistant, but they are not responsible for classroom instruction.
Who are "adjunct faculty?"
These are part-time instructors who have strong professional backgrounds and also the academic credentials to teach. They help augment our full-time faculty and also bring current professional expertise into the classroom. One of the benefits of being in DC is having a host of top-notch working professionals in the area. Check out Faculty Profiles.
How do students find out about internship possibilities?
Many DC media companies and other organizations use SOC students as interns. The SOC Advising Office estimates that it receives 15 to 20 announcements per student each year. It maintains a binder and bulletin board of internship opportunities. Postings are also available electronically from the AU Career Center. Learn More.
Who provides academic guidance to students on their courses?
Students will receive guidance from both specialized academic advisors in our Advising Office and faculty advisors. Undergraduates are assigned an advisor in the Advising Office so that they will have the same advisor throughout their time at AU. Faculty provides advice relating to career choices, beginning with the selection of the most appropriate internship for the student's career path. Graduate students are assigned to an individual faculty member, and there is also a professional advisor in the Graduate Office to assist students with administrative matters.
Who is my academic advisor?
Call SOC's main office to find out: (202)-885-2061. Graduate students are assigned to an individual faculty member.
How do I get involved in campus activities?
One of the best ways is to connect with the Student Activities Office: Here is just a small sample of the communications-relative organizations and activities on campus.
ATV - AU's student-run television station
The Eagle - The student newspaper
Talon - The yearbook
WVAU - AU's student-run radio station
Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA)
American Word - The student-run magazine
American Literary - The student-run literary magazine
Where can I get information about:
- Health Center (health insurance waiver form, immunization form, etc)?
- Paying bills - Student Accounts Office 202-885-3541
- Admissions and Financial Aid - 202-885-6000
- Student Housing - 202-885-3370
Can parents obtain copies of their children's grades?
No. Once they turn 18, students are legally "adults" and are protected by federal privacy policy (Buckley Amendment or Family Education Rights and Privacy Act), and the university can't release that information. We advise parents to discuss a child's grades with him or her. More about the university policy concerning third party access to student records is articulated in the Parent Handbook.
Graduate FAQ
How long is the program?
The 51 credit-hour MFA in Film and Electronic Media can be completed in 3 years full time or 5 years part time. The 36 credit-hour MA in Film and Video can be completed in 2 years full time or 3 years part time. The MA in Producing Film and Video is a 30 credit hour program designed to be completed in 20 months.
The full-time graduate program for Broadcast or Print Journalism lasts 13 months. The weekend News Media Studies and Interactive Journalism programs are 20 months long.
The full-time graduate program for Public Communication lasts a little under 12 months. The part-time program typically takes two years to complete. And the weekend Public Communication program is 20 months long.
When can I begin the program?
The MFA in Film and Electronic Media and the MA in Film and Video begin in fall or spring. Spring admission deadline is November 15th. The MA in Producing for Film and Video has fall entry only.
All programs offered by the Journalism Division (Print and Broadcast Journalism, News Media Studies, and Interactive Journalism) grant admission in the fall semester only. Please not that the Print and Broadcast Journalism programs start with a mandatory course which begins in July.
The MA in International Media and all graduate Public Communication programs (full-time, part-time and weekend) begin in the fall semester only.
Does SOC offer any financial assistance towards tuition costs?
Yes. Students applying to any of SOC's full-time programs beginning in the fall semester may apply for merit awards and scholarships. For merit award and scholarship consideration, complete application packets are due to SOC's Graduate Office no later than February 1st. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
What are the application deadlines?
For fall admission, review of complete applications begins in late January and applications will continue to be reviewed on a rolling admissions basis with a priority deadline of June 1 for weekday programs and August 1 for weekend programs. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Please note that the merit award deadline is February 1. Applications to SOC's film programs for spring admission begins in late October. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
What criteria are considered in making admission decisions?
Students are evaluated on the basis of scholastic ability for graduate studies, work experience, commitment to the field, application essays, letters of recommendation, scores from the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) for weekday applicants, and writing samples.
Are there any prerequisites for admission?
A four-year degree from an accredited college or university, a GPA of 3.0 or higher in the last 60 hours of undergraduate study and scores from the GRE if necessary are the only prerequisites for admission.
Unless an undergraduate degree was received from an accredited U.S. institution, all international applicants are required to include TOEFL or IELTS exam scores as part of their application packet. Minimum acceptable TOEFL scores are: 600 on the paper-based test, 250 on the computer-based test or 100 on the IBT. A score of at least 7.0 on the IELTS test is also accepted. There are no exceptions to this requirement.
Please see additional requirements fo international applicants below.
Does the Admission Committee favor certain undergraduate majors?
No. We seek to admit students from a variety of different majors and professional backgrounds.
What materials must be on file before the application can be processed?
An application is complete when our office has received each of the following materials:
The application and instructions are available online. Requirements differ for American University Undergrads.
Is there a minimum GPA requirement?
Yes, for full admission, applicants must have a 3.0 or higher in the last 60 hours of undergraduate study. If you do not meet this requirement, you may qualify for provisional admission.
Is there a minimum GRE score requirement?
No. Applicants are evaluated on the basis of many factors, and all applications will be considered regardless of the GRE score. While admitted candidates have a wide range of test scores, admission to the program is selective. Scores of 500 or better in each section are competitive for admission.
Applicants for our weekday Master's and MFA programs are required to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). Our weekend programs for professionals do not require the GRE.
Is it preferable to have some full-time work experience before applying?
It is preferable to have some exposure to the film and video field. This can be accomplished through courses, internships or full-time work experience. For the weekend program it is essential to have full-time work experience, but not necessarily in Film and Video.
Are there any special requirements for international applicants?
Yes. In addition to the standard admission requirements, international applicants must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The score attained must be a 600 on the paper and pencil test or 250 on the computer-based test. International students who received a bachelor's degree from a U.S. institution are exempt from the TOEFL requirement.
If I'm an international applicant whose school grants a bachelor's degree in three years, what should I do?
School of Communication applicants must have the equivalency of a U.S. four-year undergraduate degree. If your school grants a bachelor's degree with only three years of study, you must complete one year of post-graduate work at a master's level. Other restrictions may apply, so it is best to check with the admissions office. For more information about international students at American University, please visit the ISSS website.
Does the School of Communication allow students to defer?
Yes. Applicants who wish to defer must submit a deferral form and $250 seat deposit. Applicants can defer admission one year. The faculty reviews the deferral request, and the Admissions Office notifies applicants of their decision. The seat deposit will be applied toward tuition upon enrollment. Please note that in cases where the student has received a merit award, the award does not automatically transfer to the new start term.
Does the School of Communication accept transfer credits?
Students can transfer up to 6 credits of coursework from another master's program to the School of Communication.
What percentage of students receives financial aid?
About 35% of current full-time students are receiving merit-based financial awards from the School of Communication. Most students file for Federal Financial Aid as well and receive subsidized loans and work study grants.
Are international students eligible for federal financial aid?
No, international students are not eligible for federal financial aid, but they are eligible for most merit awards offered by the School. There is a Hall of Nations Scholarship available especially for International Students. Also, there are a number of outside scholarships which may be available. These include the Rotary International Scholarship, the Institute for International Education and the Fulbright Student Grants for Foreign Nationals. We also suggest researching scholarships that might be offered by special interest organizations with which the candidate is affiliated.
What kind of housing is available?
The University offers graduate housing and has an off-campus housing office. Applicants interested in University housing should review the Residential Life and Housing Web site.
Is it necessary to have a car?
It is not necessary to have a car. American University offers shuttle service to key locations including the Tenleytown/AU Metro Station, linking the campus to Greater Washington, DC.
Will I need a computer?
The School of Communication has computer labs for student use, and the University has several 24 hour computer labs. You may find it more convenient to have your own computer. Students who choose to purchase one can get a discount through American University. To read more about the School of Communication computer labs visit our Technical Services page.
Is it possible to work while in school?
Because of the intensity of the program and because many classes are taught during the day, students are advised not to work full-time while doing a full-time program. Many students work part-time or are committed to an assistantship for several hours a week. The weekend MA in Producing Film and Video and part-time study in the MA in Film and Video and the MFA in Film and Electronic Media are ideal programs for applicants with full-time jobs.
If you didn't find the answer to your question here, please contact the Graduate Admissions Office at (202) 885-2040.
