We are happy you have decided to apply to American University’s Graduate Professional Studies. To assist you through the application, please reference this step-by-step guide to completing your application. To start your application, please visit https://applynowspexs.american.edu
and create your account.
Please select, “Create an Account” and complete all demographic information.

Once you have created your account, you will see your Application Profile homepage. From here you can edit your account information, start an application and check your application status.
To start an application, please select “Start an Application” from your application checklist.

You will then confirm you want to start an application.
The application is separated into 4 Sections: Personal Information , Demographics , Academics & Plans , and
Certification & Signature .
At anytime during the completion of your application, you may hit Save & Continue , Save Application , or Previous
Page, all located at the bottom of the page, to navigate your way through the application.
Many of these fields will be automatically populated from information you used to create your account. Please complete any fields that remain blank.

The demographic section starts off asking about your citizenship. Please complete the required fields.
If you are not a US citizen and will be requesting immigration support, please indicate this.

If you have changed your mind about the semester you are interested in applying or changed your mind about your preferred program option of study, here is where you can indicate your new preferences.
If English is your first language, please indicate this under Standardized Tests. If English is not your first language, please select no and select the English Proficiency exam you will be submitting scores for. Please also fill in the blanks for your unofficial scores .

Next you will list your Academic History. Fill in the country, state, and city of your educational institution. Then select “Search”
Your educational institution will most likely be offered as an option. If it is an option, select it, and continue completing the requested information about your attendance there. If it is not an option, please list it under the
Unlisted Institution box.
If you have attended more than one educational institution, please select “Add Another College Attended” to continue listing your academic history.

If you are were a participant of the AmeriCorps, City Year, Peace Corps, or Teach for America programs, please note this. If not, leave this section blank and continue listing your Extracurricular Activities and Honors & Awards.
If you have previously applied to American University or been enrolled at American University, please include this in the “Enrollment” section.
If you are currently pursuing a graduate degree at another institution, please provide this information.
Please copy and paste a personal statement discussion your interest in the Graduate Gateway Program and your short-term and long-term professional goals (300-500) words in the blank provided. Please also let us know how you learned of the Graduate Gateway Program.

The Graduate Gateway Program is approved for Chapter 33 eligible-Post 911 Benefits. Please let us know if you are affiliated with the U.S. military.
Please complete the following questions honestly, then hit Save & Continue to move to the next step.

Please read this page carefully and certify your understanding and verify the truthfullness of your application.
You will then choose to “Submit Application” or save it and return to it later.

Once you have submitted your application, you will not be able to revise any of the above information. You will receive a confirmation that your application has been submitted and you may return to your Application Profile homepage to submit your required supplemental documents.
When you return to your Application Profile, your application checklist should look similar to the image below.
When you return to your Application Profile, your application checklist should look similar to the image below.
Select “Submit Supplemental Items” to continue completing your application .
You are required to submit either electronically or via mail:
• Undergraduate transcript(s) and graduate transcript(s) if applicable (official copies are required from any institution outside the U.S.)
• Professional Resume
Unofficial copies of your transcripts and your resume can easily be uploaded to your application by selecting
“choose file” and then clicking “Upload All”.
If you are an international candidate, you may need to submit English Proficiency scores and a copy of your passport. Your passport copy may be uploaded directly to your application following the same steps listed above. If you are required to submit proof of English proficiency, you should submit official test scores from the TOEFL,
IELTS, Pearson Test of English –Academic (PTE) exam or Kansas AEC Test of English Proficiency. Minimum scores should be 100 TOEFL IBT, 600 TOEFL PBT, 7.0 IELTS, 68 PTE Acad, or Kansas Band 2 or Higher. This

requirement can be waived for applicants who have received a bachelor's degree from an accredited U.S. college or university.
For all applicants (domestic & international), you may also choose to mail or email your supplemental items to our office. To email a copy, please send then to spexsdocuments@american.edu with the subject line listing your full name and the application “FULL NAME- GPS Application”.
If you choose to mail your documents (resume, transcript, and supporting materials), via United States Postal
Service (USPS) please send them directly to our Program Office at:
School of Professional & Extended Studies
Office of Enrollment
4400 Massachusetts Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20016-8124
If you are mailing your documents via Courier Service (UPS, FEDEX, DHL, etc.) please send them to:
School of Professional & Extended Studies
Office of Enrollment
3201 New Mexico Avenue, NW
Suite B1
Washington, DC 20016-8124
Graduate Professional Studies allows you to submit optional letters of recommendation. Select “Start” by the
Recommendation list to submit your recommendation(s) information.
Input the contact information for your recommender and they will be notified via email to submit your recommendation online.

You will be notified when new documents have been received and added to your application and when all materials have been received and your application has been passed on to the committee for review.
Contact the GPS Program Office at gps@american.edu
or call 202-895-4859.