Fall 2025 Application Deadline: July 1, 2025
Application Fee (non-refundable): $55.00
Early submission of all application materials is strongly advised.
All required application materials and documents must be received in order for an
application to be considered complete and before an admission decision can be made.
The program does not accept applications after the published application deadline,
however the program will continue to accept application materials up to 2 weeks after
the application deadline.
The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) Form I-20 for F-1 student status or Form DS-2019 for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status cannot be issued by Augusta University for enrollment in this online program per U.S. immigration regulations. Questions? Please email International & Postdoctoral Services Office at ipso@augusta.edu.
Department of Social Sciences
706-737-1710
socsci@augusta.edu
GPA
A competitive applicant will have a minimum overall GPA of 3.25 on a 4.0 scale at the Baccalaureate level calculated on all undergraduate work attempted or a MA/MS in a related field with at least a 3.25 GPA.
AU recalculates GPA to include grades from any failed or attempted courses forgiven as part of a grade forgiveness program.
Degree Requirement
Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university. To be used to satisfy degree requirement, evaluation of foreign educational transcripts must show degree(s) earned that are the U.S. equivalency of degree(s) required by the program.
Official Transcripts
Official transcripts are required from all universities and colleges attended. In the case of transcripts from international colleges/universities, an official course-by-course transcript evaluation will be accepted in lieu of an official transcript. Official electronic transcripts should be emailed from the issuing institution to Augusta University's Office of Graduate Admissions Operations at graduateadmissions@augusta.edu
Alternatively, Augusta University will accept official transcripts in the original, unopened, sealed and stamped/signed envelope mailed from the issuing institution directly to:
Augusta UniversityUnofficial Transcripts
Note: ONLY for applicants enrolled in the term immediately prior to their entry term will the deadline for those official transcripts to be
received by the Graduate Admissions office be extended to August 6, 2025 for Fall term entry
Transcript/Credential Evaluation of Foreign Transcripts
An official, professional course-by-course evaluation based on official transcripts
and documents is required for all foreign educational transcripts and documents from
one of the following three credentials evaluation services: Educational Credential
Evaluators, Inc. (ECE), Josef Silny & Associates, Inc., or World Education Services
(WES). Course-by-course transcript evaluations may also be accepted from a current
National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, or NACES, member on a case-by-case
basis. Official transcript evaluations based on unofficial transcripts, documents
or copies will not fulfill this requirement.
Specific Ordering Instructions for ECE, Silny and WES
Letters of Recommendation (3)
Recommendations (which include a reference form and letter of recommendation) from three individuals are required. Referees should be individuals qualified to critically assess the applicant's prior academic (usually college professors or government/DoD superiors), employment or research experience and qualifications (as applicable) as well as the applicant's potential as a graduate student in the field/program selected.
Recommendations must be submitted online only. Within the application, you will provide the names and current email addresses for the individuals you have asked to serve as your recommenders. Once you have completed the recommendation section within the application, each recommender will receive an email notification directing them to the online site where they can complete their recommendation.
Standardized Test Requirements
None are required for this program.
English Proficiency (if applicable)
English proficiency exam scores are required for applicants whose first language is not English and who do not qualify for an English proficiency exam waiver per the criteria listed below. Augusta University will accept official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Test (IELTS) exam scores. Official exam scores must be taken within 2 years of the date of application. The Augusta University institution code for submission of TOEFL or IELTS scores is 5406. Please do not select a department code.
English Proficiency Exam Waiver Criteria: An English proficiency exam will be waived for applicants to graduate programs who:
Please visit the International Student webpage for more information.
Writing Sample
Within the application, you will be asked to respond to the following prompts:
Why do you think you are a good fit for a PhD in Intelligence, Defense, and Cybersecurity
Policy?
What are your Career objectives?
What will you bring to the program?
CV/Resume
Applicants must submit a resume or curriculum vitae that includes the date of the most current revision within the application status portal after application submission.
