- Snapshot Card
- Start Here
- American University Online Master's Programs
- Quick Decision Guide
- What American University Is Known For
- Online Master's Programs by Subject
- How American University Compares
- Featured Programs and Top Picks
- Admissions Snapshot
- Tuition and Cost Overview
- Related Rankings
- Frequently Asked Questions
American University Snapshot Card
11
Online master’s programs
$1,835
Per credit hour
—
Public university ranking
Public research university
R1
Key policies
Institution type:
Public
Regional accreditation:
MS, SACSCOC, NECHE
Admissions model:
Rolling admissions
GRE/GMAT required:
Not required
Out-of-state premium:
Varies
Notable Programmatic Accreditations
- NASPAA
- Edited By Jeevan D'Souza
Start Here
Best For
- Mid-career professionals targeting careers in federal government, international organizations, or D.C.-based NGOs
- Students specifically seeking international relations, public administration, or political communication programs
- Learners who value NASPAA-accredited public administration programs
- Professionals who want a private university credential with strong D.C. alumni and employer networks
- Students interested in non-JD legal education through the Washington College of Law
Not Best Fit
- Budget-conscious students who need tuition under $500–$700 per credit
- Students seeking STEM, engineering, nursing, or clinical healthcare programs
- Learners who want the broadest possible program selection or rolling admissions flexibility
- Career changers with no connection to policy, government, or international affairs fields
American University Online Master’s Programs
American University is a private research university located in Washington, D.C., with regional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Its online master’s programs are concentrated in the fields where AU has built its strongest academic reputation: international relations, public affairs, political communication, legal studies, and select healthcare and education programs.
Unlike universities with sprawling online catalogs covering dozens of disciplines, AU’s online portfolio is deliberately curated. The programs that are available online tend to be the same ones that draw students to AU’s physical campus—fields where proximity to the federal government, international organizations, embassies, NGOs, and D.C.-area media outlets creates tangible career advantages. For online students, that proximity translates into faculty with active practitioner connections, alumni networks embedded in policy circles, and curricula informed by the legislative and regulatory environment unfolding in real time.
AU currently offers approximately eleven online master’s programs spanning public administration, international relations, communication, criminal justice and security studies, education, healthcare management, and legal studies. Most programs follow a deadline-based admissions model with fall and spring start dates, and the majority are fully asynchronous—though some, like the MAT in TESOL, include in-person practicum requirements. Tuition runs approximately $1,835 per credit, placing AU in the upper tier of private university pricing but below some D.C.-area peers like George Washington University.
The question for prospective students is not whether AU offers good programs—it does—but whether your specific career goals, budget, and field of study align with AU’s concentrated strengths. This page is designed to help you make that determination.
Quick Decision Guide
Before exploring program details, use this decision guide to quickly assess whether American University’s online master’s programs match your priorities.
Quick Fit Summary
American University is a D.C.-embedded private research university offering a focused set of online master’s programs in international relations, public policy, communication, security studies, and legal studies. It is best suited for students whose career goals intersect with government, global affairs, advocacy, or D.C.-area professional networks—and who are willing to pay private-university tuition for access to those specialized ecosystems.
Cost Signal
Approximately $1,835 per credit hour. Total program costs range from roughly $55,050 (30-credit programs) to $71,565 (39-credit programs). This places AU in the upper tier for online master’s tuition—above most public universities but generally below George Washington University and comparable to other private D.C.-area institutions.
Learning Model
Most programs are delivered asynchronously online, allowing students to complete coursework on their own schedules. Some programs include synchronous components or scheduled virtual sessions. The MAT in TESOL requires in-person practicum hours. Programs generally follow a cohort-adjacent structure with defined start terms rather than continuous enrollment.
Admissions Signal
Moderately selective. Applicants need a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, transcripts, a personal statement, a resume, and letters of recommendation. The GRE and GMAT are generally not required for online master’s programs. Admissions decisions follow a deadline-based model with defined application rounds for fall and spring entry.
Flexibility Signal
Start dates are available in fall and spring for most programs, with some offering summer entry. Completion timelines typically range from 15 to 36 months depending on program length and enrollment pace. AU does not offer rolling admissions or frequent start dates like some larger online-first universities.
Main Tradeoff
The central tension for AU online master’s candidates is prestige and network access versus cost and catalog breadth. You get a well-regarded credential in policy, international relations, or communication with direct connections to the D.C. professional ecosystem—but you pay private-university tuition for a relatively small program catalog. If your career goals align with AU’s niche strengths, the investment often makes strategic sense. If your goals are broader or your budget is tighter, public universities like George Mason University or Arizona State University offer more programs at significantly lower cost.
What American University Is Known For
American University’s reputation is built on a set of distinct academic strengths, all of which share a common thread: close proximity to the institutions and decision-makers that shape U.S. and global policy. For online master’s students, these strengths matter because they influence the quality of faculty, the relevance of the curriculum, the career networks available after graduation, and the weight the degree carries in specific industries.
AU is not a university that tries to be all things to all students. Its online programs reflect the same areas where the university has built its strongest on-campus reputation. Understanding those areas—and their limits—is essential to evaluating whether AU is the right fit.
School of International Service (SIS)
The School of International Service is AU’s flagship for international relations and global affairs education. SIS consistently ranks among the top international relations programs in the United States, and its alumni hold positions across the State Department, United Nations agencies, the World Bank, USAID, and major international NGOs. The online MA in International Relations offers concentrations in areas like International Peace and Conflict Resolution, Global Governance, and U.S. Foreign Policy—fields where SIS faculty have active research and policy advisory roles. For students targeting careers in diplomacy, international development, or global security, SIS is a genuinely differentiated credential that carries recognition in the field. It represents one of the few online international relations master’s programs from a school with this level of subject-specific reputation.
School of Public Affairs (SPA)
AU’s School of Public Affairs houses the university’s public administration and public policy programs, including a NASPAA-accredited Master of Public Administration. NASPAA accreditation is the gold standard for MPA programs and signals that the curriculum, faculty qualifications, and student outcomes meet national benchmarks for public service education. SPA also offers the Master of Public Policy and the MS in Counterterrorism and Homeland Security, both of which draw on D.C.’s concentration of government agencies, think tanks, and policy research organizations. Faculty in SPA frequently maintain consulting or advisory relationships with federal agencies, which keeps course content connected to active policy debates rather than purely academic exercises.
School of Communication (SOC)
The School of Communication is where AU’s D.C. location arguably delivers the most direct career advantage. The MA in Political Communication is a distinctive program that sits at the intersection of media, campaigns, advocacy, and public affairs—a niche that few other universities can match with the same depth or proximity to the political media ecosystem. The MA in Strategic Communication extends this strength into corporate communication and advocacy. Both programs benefit from faculty with backgrounds in political journalism, campaign strategy, and media policy, and from alumni networks that span Capitol Hill communications offices, lobbying firms, media organizations, and advocacy groups. For a deeper look at how communication master’s programs compare across institutions, AU’s offerings are particularly competitive in the political and advocacy subspecialties.
D.C. Policy Ecosystem Access
Across all of its programs, AU’s most consistent advantage is its integration into the Washington, D.C. professional ecosystem. This is not just a branding claim—it shows up in concrete ways for online students. Guest speakers and adjunct faculty are often drawn from active government, media, and policy roles. Career services maintain employer relationships with federal agencies, contractors, NGOs, and D.C.-based corporations. Alumni networks are disproportionately concentrated in government, international affairs, and policy—which is a major asset if you are targeting those sectors, and a less relevant differentiator if you are not.
For online students outside the D.C. area, the ecosystem access is somewhat attenuated compared to on-campus students, but networking events, career fairs, and alumni connections increasingly operate in virtual or hybrid formats. The AU degree itself carries name recognition in D.C. policy circles that many larger online programs do not.
Online Master’s Programs by Subject
American University offers approximately eleven online master’s programs across six subject areas. The table below provides structured data for each program, including degree type, credit requirements, tuition, concentrations, accreditation, and format details. Use this table to compare programs side by side and identify which ones align with your academic and professional goals.
Notice that AU’s online catalog is clustered around public administration and policy (four programs), communication (two programs), education (two programs), and healthcare management (two programs), with one program in criminal justice and security studies and one in legal studies. This concentration is intentional—AU focuses its online delivery on the fields where it has the strongest institutional reputation.
| Program Name | Degree | Subject Area | Credit Hours | Tuition/Credit | Estimated Total Cost | Concentrations | Start Dates | GRE Required | Programmatic Accreditation | In-Person Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MA in International Relations | MA | Public Administration | 36 | $1,835 | $66,060 | International Peace and Conflict Resolution, International Development, Global Governance, U.S. Foreign Policy | Fall, Spring, Summer | No | — | No |
| MS in Counterterrorism and Homeland Security | MS | Criminal Justice | 33 | $1,835 | $60,555 | — | Fall, Spring | No | — | No |
| Master of Public Administration | MPA | Public Administration | 39 | $1,835 | $71,565 | Public Management, Public Financial Management, Policy Analysis | Fall, Spring | No | NASPAA | No |
| Master of Public Policy | MA | Public Administration | 39 | $1,835 | $71,565 | Policy Analysis, Advocacy, Public Finance | Fall, Spring | No | — | No |
| MA in Political Communication | MA | Communication | 30 | $1,835 | $55,050 | — | Fall, Spring | No | — | No |
| MA in Strategic Communication | MA | Communication | 30 | $1,835 | $55,050 | Advocacy and Social Impact, Corporate Communication | Fall, Spring | No | — | No |
| MS in Nutrition Education | MS | Healthcare | 36 | $1,835 | $66,060 | — | Fall, Spring | No | — | No |
| MA in Teaching (TESOL) | MA | Education | 36 | $1,835 | $66,060 | — | Fall, Spring | No | — | Yes |
| MS in Healthcare Management | MS | Healthcare | 36 | $1,835 | $66,060 | — | Fall, Spring | No | — | No |
| Master of Legal Studies | MA | Legal Studies | 30 | $1,835 | $55,050 | Law and Government, Advocacy and Compliance, Technology Law and Policy | Fall, Spring | No | — | No |
| MS in Measurement and Evaluation | MS | Education | 30 | $1,835 | $55,050 | Education Policy, Program Evaluation | Fall, Spring | No | — | No |
Several patterns stand out. First, AU uses a uniform per-credit tuition rate of $1,835 across its online master’s programs, so total cost is driven primarily by credit-hour requirements—shorter 30-credit programs like Political Communication and Legal Studies come in near $55,000, while 39-credit programs like the MPA and MPP approach $72,000. Second, the GRE is not required for any online program, which lowers a common admissions barrier. Third, only the MAT in TESOL requires in-person components; all other programs are fully online. Finally, all programs use deadline-based admissions with fall and spring entry—there are no rolling-start options, which is worth noting if you need maximum scheduling flexibility.
How American University Compares
If you are evaluating American University for an online master’s degree, you are almost certainly also considering other institutions that overlap with AU’s core strengths—particularly other D.C.-area universities and national competitors with strong online programs in policy, international relations, or communication. The comparison below focuses on the four peer institutions most likely to appear in the same consideration set as AU.
Comparison Table
| Factor | American University | George Washington University | George Mason University | Northeastern University |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Private | Private | Public | Public |
| Location | Washington, D.C. | Washington, D.C. | Fairfax, VA (D.C. metro) | Boston, MA |
| Regional Accreditation | Middle States | Middle States | SACSCOC | NECHE |
| Approx. Tuition/Credit (Online Master’s) | ~$1,835 | ~$1,905–$2,100+ | ~$630–$850 | ~$810–$1,100 |
| Online Master’s Program Count | ~11 | ~90+ | ~50+ | ~70+ |
| Subject Strengths | International relations, public policy, political communication, legal studies | Engineering, public health, political science, healthcare, cybersecurity | IT, public policy, education, engineering, business | Business, cybersecurity, healthcare, engineering, public policy |
| D.C. Network Access | Very strong—campus and alumni deeply embedded | Very strong—extensive D.C. employer relationships | Strong—proximity advantage, lower cost | Limited D.C.-specific network |
| Admissions Model | Deadline-based, moderately selective | Deadline-based, moderately selective | Deadline-based, moderately selective | Rolling for many programs |
| GRE/GMAT Generally Required | No | Varies by program | Varies by program | Often waived |
| NASPAA-Accredited MPA | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Learning Format | Mostly asynchronous | Mix of async and sync | Mostly asynchronous | Experiential learning model with some in-person |
| Best Described As | Niche D.C. policy/IR specialist | Broad D.C. professional university | Affordable D.C.-area public option | National experiential learning leader |
Key takeaways from this comparison:
When AU Is the Stronger Choice
- American University is the stronger choice when your target career is specifically in international relations, global development, or political communication—fields where AU’s School of International Service and School of Communication carry distinctive recognition. If you want a NASPAA-accredited MPA with a D.C. pedigree, AU offers that at a lower price point than George Washington University, which is its closest D.C.-based private competitor. AU also tends to have smaller online cohorts, which can mean more direct faculty interaction and a more personalized experience than you would get in a program with hundreds of online students per term.
- The Master of Legal Studies through the Washington College of Law is another differentiator—few universities offer a fully online non-JD legal education program from an accredited law school, and this program serves a distinct audience of professionals who need legal literacy without committing to a full law degree.
- Relative to Northeastern University, AU wins when D.C.-specific career networks matter more than Northeastern’s broader experiential learning model. Relative to George Mason, AU wins when brand prestige in policy circles and smaller program size outweigh the significant tuition savings Mason offers.
When a Competitor Is the Better Fit
- If your primary concern is cost, George Mason University offers D.C.-area proximity and solid public policy, IT, and education programs at roughly one-third of AU’s per-credit tuition. For a student whose career goals are in the D.C. area but who does not need AU’s specific IR or communication niche, Mason is the rational budget choice.
- If you need broader program selection, both George Washington University and Northeastern University offer far larger online catalogs. GWU alone has over 90 online master’s programs spanning engineering, healthcare, business, and cybersecurity—fields where AU has no online presence. Similarly, if your interests are in public health, healthcare administration at the graduate level with clinical components, or STEM disciplines, Johns Hopkins University occupies a higher prestige tier in those verticals than AU does.
- Northeastern is the better fit for students who value an experiential learning model with employer-integrated projects and co-op components, or who need rolling admissions with more frequent start dates. AU’s deadline-based model and smaller online infrastructure do not match Northeastern’s flexibility.
For maximum affordability and program breadth without geographic specificity, public mega-universities like Arizona State University offer hundreds of online programs at substantially lower cost, though without AU’s D.C.-specific network advantages.
Best For
American University’s online master’s programs are built for a specific type of student. If you see yourself in the profiles below, AU is likely a strong match.
- Mid-career professionals targeting D.C. policy, government, or international organization careers. AU’s alumni network, faculty connections, and institutional reputation are most valuable in these sectors. If your career trajectory points toward the State Department, USAID, the World Bank, Capitol Hill, federal agencies, or D.C.-based advocacy organizations, AU’s credential carries meaningful weight with the hiring managers and professional gatekeepers in those spaces.
- Students seeking specialized programs in international relations, public affairs, or political communication. These are AU’s signature fields. The School of International Service, School of Public Affairs, and School of Communication are not simply departments offering online versions of generic degrees—they are nationally recognized programs with distinctive curricula and faculty.
- Learners who value a NASPAA-accredited public administration program. NASPAA accreditation is important for students targeting senior government roles or positions where public administration credentials are formally evaluated. AU’s MPA carries this accreditation, which many online MPA programs do not.
- Professionals who want a private university brand with strong D.C. alumni and employer networks. For certain career paths—particularly in government affairs, lobbying, international development, and political media—where you went to school and who you know genuinely influence hiring decisions. AU’s concentrated alumni presence in D.C. provides a network that larger, more geographically dispersed programs cannot replicate.
- Students comfortable with higher tuition in exchange for specialized prestige and smaller cohorts. AU’s per-credit rate is significantly above public university alternatives, but students who value focused programs, direct faculty access, and an institution that is not trying to scale to tens of thousands of online students may find that tradeoff worthwhile.
- Non-lawyers who need legal literacy for their careers. The Master of Legal Studies through the Washington College of Law serves compliance officers, government affairs professionals, technology policy specialists, and others who need legal knowledge without attending law school—a genuinely unusual offering in the online master’s landscape.
Not a Best Fit For
Knowing when a university is not the right match is just as important as knowing when it is. The following profiles describe students who should likely prioritize other options.
Budget-conscious students who need low-cost tuition. At approximately $1,835 per credit, AU’s online programs cost two to three times more per credit than many public universities. If minimizing out-of-pocket cost is a primary constraint, public institutions like George Mason University or Arizona State University offer competitive programs in overlapping fields at a fraction of the price. You can explore cost comparisons in more detail with the graduate school cost calculator or review options on the most affordable online master’s programs ranking.
Students seeking STEM, engineering, nursing, or clinical healthcare programs. AU’s online catalog does not include these fields. If your goal is an online master’s in computer science, data science, engineering, nursing, or clinical health disciplines, universities like Johns Hopkins University, Purdue University, or Northeastern University have much deeper offerings in those areas.
Learners who want the broadest possible program catalog. AU’s approximately eleven online master’s programs are a tiny fraction of what larger online-focused institutions offer. If you want to browse dozens or hundreds of options across many disciplines, universities with scale-oriented online programs will serve you better.
Students who need rolling admissions with maximum start-date flexibility. AU uses deadline-based admissions with defined application rounds. If you need to start immediately or want the ability to enroll every few weeks, institutions with rolling or frequent-start models are a better structural fit.
Career changers with no connection to the D.C., policy, or international affairs space. AU’s core value proposition—D.C. networks, policy-oriented curricula, government and international affairs career pipelines—is not equally valuable for all career paths. If you are pivoting into fields like technology, business, or healthcare outside the D.C. ecosystem, you would not extract the full value of what AU charges. A university with broader industry connections and lower tuition would be a more strategic investment.
Featured Programs and Top Picks
Not all of AU’s online master’s programs carry the same level of distinctiveness. The four highlighted below represent the strongest cases for choosing AU specifically—programs where the combination of institutional reputation, faculty expertise, accreditation, and career network access is difficult to replicate elsewhere.
This is AU’s most recognizable online program and the one most directly tied to the university’s national reputation. SIS is consistently ranked among the top schools of international affairs in the United States, and the online MA offers the same concentration options—including International Peace and Conflict Resolution, Global Governance, and U.S. Foreign Policy—that define the on-campus program. Graduates enter careers at the State Department, USAID, international NGOs, and multilateral organizations. For students targeting these sectors, few online IR programs carry comparable credential weight. Explore more options in our ranking of the best online master’s in international relations.
The MPA is NASPAA-accredited, which places it in an elite tier of public administration programs nationally. The program offers concentrations in Public Management, Public Financial Management, and Policy Analysis—all areas where D.C. government agencies, contractors, and nonprofits actively recruit. If your career path leads through federal, state, or local government administration, a NASPAA-accredited MPA from a D.C. institution is a strategically sound investment. See how AU’s MPA stacks up on the best online master’s in public administration ranking.
This program occupies a niche that very few universities serve at the master’s level. Political communication—the study and practice of how political messages are crafted, distributed, and consumed—sits at the intersection of media, campaigns, public affairs, and advocacy. AU’s D.C. location gives this program a unique practitioner pipeline, with faculty and alumni working in congressional communications, political media, campaign strategy, and lobbying. For students specifically targeting political media or advocacy careers, this program has few direct online competitors.
This is not a JD, and it is not designed to prepare students for the bar exam. Instead, the Master of Legal Studies is built for professionals who need legal fluency—compliance officers, government affairs professionals, technology policy specialists, nonprofit leaders—without the three-year commitment and cost of law school. Concentrations in Law and Government, Advocacy and Compliance, and Technology Law and Policy are tailored to working professionals. The fact that this program is offered through AU’s Washington College of Law—an ABA-accredited institution—adds credential legitimacy that standalone legal studies programs from non-law schools cannot match.
Admissions Snapshot
American University’s online master’s admissions process is moderately selective and follows a deadline-based model. Here is what you need to know before applying.
General Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
- Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
- Personal statement or statement of purpose
- Current resume or CV
- Two to three letters of recommendation (varies by program)
- Application fee
GRE/GMAT Policy: The GRE and GMAT are generally not required for AU’s online master’s programs. This is true across the current online portfolio, though applicants may optionally submit scores if they believe the results strengthen their application.
Admissions Model: AU uses defined application deadlines with fall and spring admission cycles. Some programs also accept summer applications. This is not a rolling-admissions model—missing a deadline typically means waiting for the next application cycle, so planning ahead is important.
Selectivity: Most AU online master’s programs are moderately selective. The university evaluates applications holistically, considering academic preparation, professional experience, personal statement quality, and recommendation strength. Students with relevant work experience—particularly in government, policy, international affairs, or communication—may have a competitive advantage.
Program-Specific Variations: Some programs may have additional requirements. The MAT in TESOL, for example, has specific prerequisites related to language study, and the Master of Legal Studies may weight professional experience more heavily than traditional academic metrics. Always check the specific program’s admissions page for the most current requirements.
Compared to peer D.C.-area institutions, AU’s admissions process is similar in structure to George Washington University but generally less competitive than the most selective graduate programs at Johns Hopkins University. The absence of a GRE requirement removes a significant barrier that some competitors still maintain.
Tuition and Cost Overview
Cost is one of the most important factors in choosing an online master’s program, and AU’s tuition structure requires honest assessment. The university charges a flat per-credit rate of approximately $1,835 for its online master’s programs, with total program costs determined by credit-hour requirements.
| Program Length | Credits | Tuition per Credit | Estimated Tuition Total | Example Programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30-credit programs | 30 | $1,835 | ~$55,050 | Political Communication, Strategic Communication, Legal Studies, Measurement and Evaluation |
| 33-credit programs | 33 | $1,835 | ~$60,555 | Counterterrorism and Homeland Security |
| 36-credit programs | 36 | $1,835 | ~$66,060 | International Relations, Nutrition Education, TESOL, Healthcare Management |
| 39-credit programs | 39 | $1,835 | ~$71,565 | Public Administration (MPA), Public Policy |
These figures represent tuition only and do not include fees, textbooks, technology costs, or other expenses that can add several thousand dollars to the total.
How AU’s Cost Compares:
AU’s tuition is high relative to the broader online master’s market but competitive within its peer group of private D.C.-area universities. George Washington University’s online programs often run $1,905 to $2,100+ per credit, making AU the less expensive private D.C. option for many comparable programs. However, public alternatives like George Mason University charge roughly $630–$850 per credit, and national public universities like Arizona State University or University of Florida can be even lower. The cost gap between AU and these public options is substantial—potentially $30,000 to $50,000 over the life of a program.
Financial Aid and Scholarships:
Online students at AU are eligible for federal financial aid, including federal student loans. The university also offers merit-based scholarships and graduate assistantships for some programs, though scholarship availability and amounts for online students may differ from on-campus students. Employer tuition reimbursement is common among AU online students, particularly those working in government or with federal contractors that offer education benefits.
The Cost-Value Equation:
AU’s tuition is justified only when the student can extract specific value from what the higher cost buys: a recognized credential in policy and international affairs circles, direct access to D.C. professional networks, NASPAA accreditation for the MPA, and smaller cohort sizes with more faculty engagement. If those advantages do not materially advance your career goals, the premium over public alternatives is difficult to rationalize. Students considering AU should honestly assess whether their career path—and their ability to leverage D.C.-specific networks—will produce a return that justifies the investment. Use the graduate school cost calculator to model your specific financial scenario.
Visit American University’s official online programs page
Related Rankings
The following OMC rankings are relevant to students evaluating American University’s online master’s programs and comparing AU against institutions offering similar degrees.
- Best Online Master’s in Public Administration — Relevant for students considering AU’s NASPAA-accredited MPA and Master of Public Policy alongside programs at peer institutions.
- Best Online Master’s in International Relations — Directly relevant for students evaluating AU’s MA in International Relations through the School of International Service.
- Best Online Master’s in Communication — Useful for students weighing AU’s Political Communication and Strategic Communication programs against alternatives.
- Best Online Master’s in Criminal Justice — Relevant for students considering AU’s MS in Counterterrorism and Homeland Security alongside broader criminal justice programs.
- Best Online Master’s in Healthcare Management — Applicable for students exploring AU’s MS in Healthcare Management in the context of the broader healthcare administration landscape.
- Best Online Master’s Programs — A broader view for students who want to compare AU against top online master’s programs across all disciplines.
- Best Online Master’s in Education — Relevant for students evaluating AU’s MAT in TESOL and MS in Measurement and Evaluation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. American University holds regional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), which is one of the six recognized regional accrediting bodies in the United States. Regional accreditation is the standard that matters most for graduate education—it ensures that credits are widely transferable, degrees are recognized by employers and licensing boards, and students are eligible for federal financial aid. In addition to institutional accreditation, some AU programs carry programmatic accreditation, such as the NASPAA accreditation held by the Master of Public Administration. You can verify AU’s accreditation status through the MSCHE directory or the U.S. Department of Education’s database. For more on what accreditation means for online master’s programs, see our accreditation guide.
Yes. American University offers approximately eleven master’s programs that can be completed online. The majority of these programs are fully online with asynchronous coursework, meaning students do not need to attend classes at a specific time or travel to campus. The one notable exception is the MA in Teaching (TESOL), which may require in-person practicum hours depending on the student’s licensure goals. All other programs—including the MA in International Relations, Master of Public Administration, MA in Political Communication, and Master of Legal Studies—can be completed entirely online.
American University charges approximately $1,835 per credit hour for its online master’s programs. Total program costs range from about $55,050 for 30-credit programs (such as Political Communication and Legal Studies) to approximately $71,565 for 39-credit programs (such as the MPA and Master of Public Policy). These figures cover tuition only and do not include fees, books, or other costs. AU’s tuition is higher than most public universities but generally lower than George Washington University for comparable programs. Online students are eligible for federal financial aid, and AU offers some merit-based scholarship opportunities.
No. The GRE and GMAT are generally not required for American University’s online master’s programs. This applies across the current online portfolio. Applicants may optionally submit standardized test scores if they believe the results would strengthen their application, but scores are not a mandatory component. Admissions decisions are made holistically based on academic transcripts, professional experience, personal statements, and letters of recommendation.
American University is best known for its programs in international relations (through the School of International Service), public affairs and public administration (through the School of Public Affairs), and political and strategic communication (through the School of Communication). The university’s Washington, D.C. location is central to its academic identity—faculty maintain active connections to federal agencies, international organizations, think tanks, and media outlets, and the curriculum across these fields reflects the policy environment in which AU is embedded. The Washington College of Law adds legal studies to AU’s recognized strengths. In the context of online master’s programs specifically, AU’s reputation is strongest in policy, international affairs, and communication—and less established in STEM, business, or clinical health fields, which are not part of its online portfolio.
American University and George Washington University are both private D.C.-based universities with strong policy and government connections, but they serve somewhat different niches. GWU offers a much larger online master’s catalog (over 90 programs versus AU’s approximately eleven), with broader coverage in engineering, healthcare, cybersecurity, and business. AU’s online programs are more concentrated in international relations, public affairs, political communication, and legal studies—fields where AU’s specific school-level reputation (SIS, SPA, SOC) can be equal to or stronger than GWU’s.
On cost, AU is generally the less expensive option. AU’s per-credit rate of approximately $1,835 is below GWU’s typical range of $1,905 to $2,100+ per credit for comparable programs. Both universities are significantly more expensive than nearby public options like George Mason.
The choice between them typically comes down to program availability and specialization. If you want a program that AU offers—particularly in IR, public policy, or political communication—AU may be the stronger value. If you need a program in a field AU does not cover online, or if you prefer a larger institutional infrastructure for online learning, GWU’s broader catalog is the practical advantage. Both universities share the D.C. network benefit, though the specific alumni and employer connections differ somewhat by school and program.