American University Washington

• Location: Washington, USA,
• Year of foundation: 1892,
• Number of students: about 13,000,
• Language of instruction: English,
• Type of studying: mixed.

American University Washington (AU) is a private research university offering more than 170 bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in eight specialized faculties.

Founded in 1893 by an Act of Congress, the American university began its activities to promote community service, internationalism, and pragmatic idealism. After more than 130 years, AU is still closely associated with the United Methodist Church, thanks to which it was opened, and preserves historical traditions. Focusing on current trends in education and the labor market, AU expands its material base, the range of partner national and foreign organizations, and the number of research areas. Today, AU occupies leading positions in many rankings both in terms of general criteria of educational activity and in terms of the quality of individual programs. All these and other advantages annually attract hundreds of international students to the Washington campus who want to receive high-quality higher education in the USA in sought-after directions.

Students here receive comprehensive support from the administrative and teaching staff, not only during classes, but also during extracurricular hours. Extensive opportunities for the realization of talents and the disclosure of abilities, obtaining professional skills through internships, and research achievements provide students with a competitive advantage in finding employment upon completion of their studies.

Valentina Nikitina

Senior Marketing and Recruitment Manager at Kaplan Pathways with a focus on students from Russia and the CIS.

What advice would you give to students aiming for top U.S. universities, with 3-4 years to prepare?

This period is perfect for assessing capabilities and exploring options of universities. Focus on achieving high grades and improving English proficiency. Strong English skills enhance your learning experience, and good grades can lead to scholarships or honors college admissions.

Students can take advantage of many additional services that will help them find an internship or a place for employment, adapt the curriculum, draw up the necessary documents, and expand opportunities for the realization of talent. Staff in specialized departments offer additional academic classes, mentoring and tutoring, language support, and many other services to support student success.

Some programs are available online, which makes it easier for those who cannot come to the United States to get higher education. A separate website has been created for training, which stores many educational resources, communicates with teachers and other students, and holds video conferences and seminars.

Programs are taught on the basis of eight specialized faculties:

• Arts, Sciences,
• Business
• Education
• Communication
• Public affairs,
• International Service,
• Jurisprudence
• Professional, managerial education.

AU has a number of research centers, each focused on working in a specific scientific field:

• Neuroscience, Behavior,
• Environment, community and equality,
• Cybersecurity, economic security,
• Politics
• Latin American Studies,
• University excellence.

Under the leadership of specialized faculties, there are specialized scientific centers that conduct research in the scientific fields of the faculty-head.

Not only qualified employees participate in the university's research, but also students of all educational stages and specializations.

The University has six traditional residences, three residential buildings with luxury rooms and two with apartments.

• Traditional residences offer accommodation in double and triple rooms with shared facilities: bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, relaxation areas and self-study. This type of housing is perfect for students interested in an active social life.
• The luxury rooms, prepared in three residences, provide students with a greater degree of privacy — students live in single or double rooms with bathrooms, share common kitchens with all necessary appliances, recreation areas, and laundries. In two residential buildings,
• Nebraska Hall and Frequency, apartment blocks with two or four single bedrooms, bathroom, living room and kitchen areas have been prepared. The buildings have a fitness room, a rooftop terrace, classrooms and other common areas.

If desired, students can find off-campus housing on their own or request the help of specialized university staff. First— and second-year students are required to draw up a meal plan, while the rest of the students are required to do so.

The meal plan is used in all university dining halls and cafeterias. It provides a certain number of meals per week + additional points that can be spent on the purchase of snacks and educational supplies on the territory of the AU.

Subject list: administration, Aging Sciences Graduate Minor, American Studies, anthropology, Arabic Studies, Art, Audio Production, Audio Technology, Bilingual education, biochemistry, biology, Biostatistics, biotechnology, Business and management, Communication Studies, communications, cultural studies, Dance, Data Science, design, economics, Elementary Education, Entrepreneurship, Environmental science, ethics, Ethnic Studies, Filmmaking, finance, French Studies, Gender studies, German Studies, Health care, history, Human Resource Management, Information Technology, International Business, International Development (MA), International Education, international relations, International Studies, Italian, JAPANESE STUDIES MAJOR, Jewish Studies, journalism, Latin American Studies, law, Leadership, Leadership Studies, letter, Liberal Studies, literature, marketing, Master programme Materials Sciences, maths, media, MS Accounting, MS Analytics, music, National security, neurology, Neuroscience, Organizational Development and Change, Organizational Leadership, Oriental studies, Peace and Conflict Studies, Philosophy (BA), physics, Political science, politics, Postbaccalaureate Premedical, Prelaw, Psychology, Public administration, Public Health, Public Politics (MPP) and Juris Doctor (JD), Real Estate, Religious studies, Russian, Russian Studies, Secondary Education, sociology, Spanish Studies, special education, sports management, Statistics, Sustainability, taxation, Teaching, theatre studies, Translation, Washington Semester Program
Activity list: basketball, field hockey, football, lacrosse, Sports running, swimming, tennis, volleyball

Much attention is paid to sports and creative activities, and for this all conditions are created. The educational institution belongs to the professional league (NCAA Division I, Patriot League, MAISA), the teams compete among themselves at a professional level. List of sport activities:

• Baseball;
• Cross Country;
• Lacrosse;
• Football;
• Swimming and diving;
• Track;
• Wrestling;
• Basketball;
• Field hockey;
• Golf;
• Tennis;
• Volleyball.

Another role of the "pillar" on which the development of personality is based is given to art and creativity. Here you can improve in a variety of ways, classes are conducted by specialists, there are talent support programs. There are about 240 (!) organizations and clubs, among which everyone will find something interesting for themselves. Regularly arranged various holidays, including special adaptation activities for foreign students. In Washington, the main buildings of all three branches of the country's power are concentrated and just a huge number of museum complexes, monuments of architecture, art and history. You can also visit shops and shopping centers, theaters and cinemas, music concerts, performances and festivals.

• No. 4 in the ranking of leading institutions for studying abroad — US News&World Report 2025,
• No.5 in the list of universities with high student activity — Princeton Review 2023,
• Classification R1: "Very high research activity",
• 89% of students participate in at least one internship,
• 94% of teachers have higher academic degrees,
• 52% of students participate in an international exchange program,
• International students from more than 100 countries, all 50 states of the USA,
• Every year, about 700 invited speakers perform on the campus: diplomats, journalists, artists, scientists, and business leaders.

Territorially, the university is located in the north-west of Washington and includes two campuses - the main and additional, they have absolutely everything that is necessary for life. On the territory of many trees and vegetation, you can practice directly on the lawns. Annually significant funds are spent for reconstruction, re-equipment and construction. University infrastructure includes:

• Educational buildings;
• Administrative buildings;
• Libraries;
• Labs;
• Computer labs;
• Audio, video, film studios;
• Special audience for clubs and sections;
• Medical unit, pharmacies;
• Dormitories;
• Amphitheater and Concert Hall;
• Arboretum;
• Sports block, fitness room, sports grounds;
• Parking and bicycle garage;
• Public transport stops.

The academic calendar of an educational institution includes several trimesters.:

• Autumn: August-December,
• Spring: January-April,
• Summer: May-August.

During the summer months, there are short-term courses and classes for those who would like to improve their academic results. Throughout the year, classes are held on weekdays, rest — on weekends and holidays, during seasonal vacations.

Each trimester ends with a test session and graduation balls for final year students.

An approximate list of additional expenses includes:

• Registration and administrative fees,
• Accommodation, meals and related housing expenses,
• Contributions to student activities,
• Some extracurricular activities,
• Educational materials,
• Additional academic opportunities not included in the curriculum,
• Compulsory insurance,
• Personal expenses.

You can apply for admission both in person and online. Applicants will have to fill out a detailed questionnaire, provide documents and pay the registration fee, then pass an interview and possible entrance tests. The Admissions Committee will review the results of these stages and then send formal invitations to start training.

To date, AU has completed the education of more than 150,000 specialists in various scientific fields, many of whom have succeeded in realizing their professional talent. The list of notable alumni includes eight foreign heads of state, more than 30 U.S. senators and representatives, two Nobel Prize winners, an Academy Award winner, many Fulbright Scholars, and other prominent personalities.

Every year, 91% of graduates are employed or continue their academic career within six months of completing their studies.

Foreign applicants must have a passport, medical insurance, visa or residence permit in order to study in the United States.

To enroll in Bachelor's degree programs, you must provide:

• Academic report cards for grades 9-11 of secondary school,
• A letter of recommendation from a school counselor or principal,
• Language test results: TOEFL iBT (from 85), IELTS (from 6.5), Duolingo (from 120) or university-recognized equivalent.

The following requirements apply to future Master's degree students:

• Bachelor's degree,
• Official transcripts of all educational institutions attended by the applicant,
• Summary of existing experience, individual achievements and academic plans,
• Two letters of recommendation from teachers, employer,
• Language exam results: TOEFL (from 100), IELTS (from 7.0), PTE Academic (from 68) or a recognized equivalent.

The same academic documents will be required to enroll in higher education preparation programs, but the level of English proficiency may be lower. Some specialties may require professional experience and a portfolio.

AU offers a wide range of scholarships available to both local and international students: awards cover part of the tuition costs, and are awarded based on academic, athletic, creative, or social merit.

All first-year students are considered for a scholarship upon admission, which will reward them for their previous academic achievements and help them pay for their first year of study.

Students can take advantage of scholarships from partner organizations, apply for financial support in difficult life situations, or participate in a work-study program.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision