Mar 18, 2024  
2017-2018 Academic Catalog 
    
2017-2018 Academic Catalog [Published Catalog]

Graduate Admissions


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Graduate Admissions
Non-degree Admissions
Other Admissions

 



Graduate Admissions

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Graduate applicants must complete the Graduate Admission application by the set deadlines, including all required documents/credentials. A file for each applicant is prepared, and evaluated by the Office of Graduate Admissions to ensure that the applicants have met the minimum requirements as indicated by the university catalog. The file is then evaluated by the relevant program for recommendation. The relevant school dean then reviews the file and the program recommendation, and sends his/her recommendation to the Dean of Graduate Studies for review and final recommendation. The Office of Graduate Admissions finalizes the admission evaluation, and ​​admission decisions are then announced based on the four stages of evaluation. If accepted, then letters of admission are sent out to the applicants indicating the conditions of the admission offer. Additionally, information regarding advising, registration, tuition payment, contact persons, and next steps in general are also provided.

A student may not seek new admission to the same program from which he/she has been dismissed for the expiration of study period.

Criteria for Admission of Graduate Students

The university requires the following minimum standards in admitting graduate students. Actual admissions for a given program may be at a higher level as specified by this program.

Qualifications for graduate programs

Applicants for graduate study must have an accredited Bachelor’s degree with an academic record at a level sufficient to qualify for full or provisional admission as described under “Categories of Admission” below. For consistency, the final grades for all transcripts submitted will be calculated to a final GPA mark on a scale of 1 to 4, where 4 is the highest grade. Transcripts showing only a rank grade (such as gayyed gidan), without indication of  a GPA or percent value will be calculated as follows:

Emteyaz = Excellent =3.75 GPA
Gayyed Gidan =Very Good =3.25 GPA
Gayyid = Good = 2.75 GPA
Makboul = Pass = 2.25 GPA

However, when transcripts show grade rank value (such as gayyed gidan), as well as GPA or percent value, then the GPA or percent value will be calculated to a GPA value on a scale of 1-4, and will take priority over the rank value. The higher of the 2 numerical values will be considered for the applicant’s best interest.

Additional criteria such as the following may also be considered when evaluating a candidate for admission to the graduate program:

  1. Evidence of academic English proficiency as required by the relevant graduate program.
  2. Test scores (GRE, GMAT, etc. where applicable).
  3. Maturing time since undergraduate experience.
  4. Work experience in a field related to the program applied for.
  5. Strong faculty advocacy with written intent to mentor the student.
  6. References from instructor and/or employer speaking to motivation and maturity.
  7. Personal interview.
  8. Departmental Arabic language test for specific programs.
  9. Any post high-school academic records showing evidence of being prepared for graduate level courses.

Qualifications for Ph.D. Degree programs

Applicants must have completed both an accredited Bachelor of Science degree and Master’s degree with an academic record at a level sufficient to qualify for admissions. In additional to the criteria mentioned above for MA and MS degrees the following is also considered when evaluating a candidate for admission to the PhD program:

  1. Academic performance showing evidence they are prepared for PhD level courses.
  2. GRE test scores that suggest potential.
  3. Thesis abstract.
  4. Research interest and objectives.
  5. Evidence of academic English proficiency prior to enrollment.

English Language Proficiency

Applicants must demonstrate knowledge of adequate English language for graduate studies. For full admission to the university, graduate applicants must attain the required score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (International TOEFL, (iBT) or the International English Language Testing System (Academic IELTS) examination. Applicants who do not attain the minimum test score required for full admission, but are otherwise qualified for admission are placed in an English language course for further language study. Applicants may submit results for more than one test as long as these are submitted within the approved admission evaluation deadlines. The highest of the valid scores will be considered for admission.

Exemptions from English Test

The University does not exempt applicants from the English test solely on the basis of citizenship or graduation from an international university in the region. An applicant may be exempted from these examinations if :

  • Currently enrolled (for at least one continuous year of full time academic studies) in an accredited university where English is the sole language of instruction.
  • Recently completed at least one continuous year of full time academic studies at an accredited university where English is the sole language of instruction.
  • Earned degrees from accredited universities where English is the sole language of instruction.

However, in case scores of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (International TOEFL), (iBT) or the International English Language Testing System (Academic IELTS) examination are submitted for a graduate admission application, the resulting placement from these scores will overrule any exemption criteria.

Computer and Library Skills

Graduate students may be asked to demonstrate a minimum competency in use of computers and academic libraries as they relate to graduate study and research.

Entrance Examination

The program of major may require applicants to sit for a graduate entrance examination, the results of which will be considered at the time of admission.

1. Science and Engineering departments require PhD applicants to sit for a Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Also, applicants to MA programs in Economics, Economics in International Development are required to sit for the GRE exam.

2. The Department of Management requires MBA applicants to sit for the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT).

3. Applicants to MS in Finance are required to sit for either the GMAT or GRE tests.

4. The Teaching Arabic as a Foreign Language program may require an Arabic Language Test based on the evaluation of the application.

GRE and GMAT exams have a validity of 5 years from the test date. If GRE and GMAT results are to be considered for admission to graduate studies, then the expiry date of their validity must fall after the first day of classes of the first semester of registration in the relevant graduate program.

Graduate Diploma Programs

The university offers a number of graduate diploma programs for which a bachelor’s degree with an acceptable GPA are required.

When recommended by program faculty, students may be accepted for diploma programs without commitment or expectation of future admission for a master’s degree.

Diploma applicants follow the same requirements and procedures for admission as master’s degree-seeking students.

Admission Deferral

Only fully admitted applicants may defer their admission if the deposit against their tuition is paid to hold a place in the program, and the deferral request must be placed before the first day of classes of the semester originally applied to. This privilege may be exercised only once, and the deferral can be for a maximum of one academic year. Full admission that is conditioned by the submission of original documents or satisfactory test results will not be considered for deferral if these requirements are not submitted within the deadlines set by the Office of Graduate Admissions.

In cases where test results expire before the start of the semester to which admission is to be deferred, applicants must submit new satisfactory test results before they expire.

Applicants granted provisional admission cannot defer their admission, but may re-apply in a subsequent semester.

Applicants are allowed one week after the admission application deadline, to complete the credentials of the application. If during this allowance period the applicant decides that he/she cannot submit the required test results on time, then the application can be deferred, upon the applicant’s request, to a subsequent semester, only if all other credentials are submitted, and all that remains pending is the test results. This type of deferral request is not permitted past the allowance period.

Medical Examination

Recent medical report indicating that the student is physically and mentally fit for conducting university studies work is required from admitted students. This is to be submitted prior to registering for classes. Non-Egyptian students are required to submit a recent HIV test results for of student visa student visa purposes, as mandated by the Egyptian authorities.

Medical Insurance for Non-Egyptian Applicants

It is recommended that non-Egyptian students have health and accident insurance which will cover them while they are in Egypt. In addition, all non-Egyptian students are required to enroll in the medical insurance service plan offered by the American University in Cairo which provides for limited care at specified hospitals in Cairo. Exemptions are made only for those non-Egyptian students who reside in Cairo with their families, or who are provided for by their companies, embassies or sponsoring agencies in Cairo. The medical service fee is announced by the Office of Student Financial Affairs and Scholarships every year.

Categories of Admission

Categories of admission depend upon the applicant’s qualifications, status and study plan.

Full Admission

Full admission may be granted to entering students who have met the minimum criteria for graduate admission and any of the following requirements:

  • A bachelor’s degree with an overall grade-point average (GPA) of at least 2.75 or its equivalent, and 3.0 or its equivalent in the major.
  • An overall average of gayyid giddan on a bachelor’s degree from an Egyptian national university, if a GPA equivalency value is not indicated.
  • A graduate degree with a minimum overall average of 3.0 GPA, if the degree is closely related to the intended major.
  • An equivalency index for local and international degrees is the main reference used for equating degree grades or percentage marks on transcripts. The index is based on a GPA scale of 1 to 4, where 4 is the highest value.

Additionally, the program of the major may require satisfactory performance on an examination or interview.

Full admission is may also be attained by fulfilling the conditions specified under the provisional admission category below.

Provisional Admission

Provisional admission is granted to those entering students not qualifying for full admission, but who have additional attributes that give them a high potential for success in a given graduate program.

Under provisional admission a student may be required to take English courses, a number of specified prerequisite courses, or fulfill a condition. Students are required to achieve at least a ‘B’ average in these prerequisite courses or their admission at AUC will be discontinued.

In some instances, students may not be required to fulfill any prerequisites while on provisional status; however, in this case, they are considered on probation and must achieve a minimum ‘B’ average for a specific list of courses and over a specific time duration, or they will be dropped from the program.

Dual Degree Admission

Graduate students may pursue two distinct graduate degrees (two master’s degrees, or a diploma and a master’s degree, or 2 graduate diploma degrees) in different majors, either simultaneously or consecutively. In any case, the student must seek admission to and be accepted by each program of concern, and then fill out a “Dual Graduate Degree” form, whcih is available on at the Office of the Registrar’s webpage http://student.aucegypt.edu.

Non-degree Admission

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Applicants not seeking an AUC degree but wish to take AUC courses for academic credit may be admitted as a non-degree if they meet the minimum criteria for graduate admission. A number of places are set aside each year for nondegree seeking students, most of whom take a year away from their studies at another institution to study and live in Egypt. Since AUC is a U.S. accredited institution following an American system, students from U.S. universities are usually able to transfer AUC credits to their home institutions, but they are advised to check in advance. Non-degree applicants follow the same procedures for admission as degree-seeking students and should enclose transcripts of their undergraduate work and fulfill the English language requirements. Non-Degree applicants must attain full admission status prior to being approved for admission.

Upon request, the university may approve a change of status from nondegree to degree student. The student will need to re-apply for admission consideration to the degree seeking program(s), and if a graduate nondegree student should become a degree candidate, the department of major will consider the possibility of accepting credit for courses taken under nondegree status. All academic regulations applicable to degree students will apply retroactively with such change of status.

Nondegree applicants must indicate in their application a list of courses for which approval to attend will be sought by the office of Graduate Admissions from the relevant programs. International applicants must indicate no less than 6 such graduate courses, out of which registration must be for at least 3. Egyptian applicants can indicate 3 for which approval is sought and out of which at least 1 course is selected for registration. Courses can be selected from the list of graduate programs offered each semester: http://catalog.aucegypt.edu/content.php?catoid=20&navoid=856

Other Categories

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Auditing

Those who wish to attend individual classes may apply as auditors; however, they may not sit for final examinations, nor receive academic credit or any university certificate of enrollment. Auditors do not have to meet all requirements for regular admission but must apply by the end of the first week of classes of each semester, by submitting a form with the instructor(s) approval, and then by filling out the application form.. Since permission to audit is on a space-available basis, applicants are not permitted to register until after the registration of regular students has been completed. Auditors are not allowed to enroll in language courses.

Complete forms should be forwarded to enrolauc@aucegypt.edu. 

Links to forms:  https://documents.aucegypt.edu/Docs/students_Registrar_forms/Auditor%20Registration%20form%20(Jul%202015).pdf

https://www.applyweb.com/auc/index.ftl

Non-Egyptian applicants must have a permanent resident visa or a work permit visa to be eligible to apply for auditing courses.

Readmission

AUC students who withdraw from the University in good standing and subsequently wish to return may apply for readmission. The semester to which readmission is requested must be within the study period, as specified in the section ” Enrollment Status and Time Limit for a Degree Completion” of the Graduate Academic Requirements and Regulations. Application must be made before the appropriate application deadline, and the applicant must meet all the admission requirements prevailing at the time of readmission. Readmission is not guaranteed.

Dismissed students may petition for readmission taking into account the conditions specified in the section “Dismissal, Probation, Course Repeat and Retake” under Graduate Academic Requirements and Regulations, and must meet all the admission requirements prevailing at the time of readmission. Readmission is not guaranteed.

Students who are dismissed because they have not successfully completed the English language requirements in two semesters, may petition for readmission and are required to submit new valid International TOEFL with TWE, (iBT) or Academic IELTS demonstrating a level of proficiency that is higher than previously registered for: If they were students in intensive English course ELIN 0301  or ELIN 0302  then their new test results must place them in the level of Academic English Language modules or in direct admission with no English language requirements; if they were students in Academic English language modules, then their new test results must place them in direct admission with no English language requirements.

Students who withdraw from the University without having completed at least one graduate or prerequisite course required for their degree program may seek readmission so as to resume their studies no later then 4 semesters following the semester of their withdrawal. Beyond 4 semesters, these students would need to apply afresh for admission. This privilege may be exercised only once.

Conditions in the table below apply

English Level at Time of Withdrawal   Lapse of Time   iBT   TOEFL /Academic IELTS Required
         

Completed all language requirements

Completed all language requirements

 

Less than 24 months

More than 24 months
 

No

Yes, and apply afresh for admission

Enrolled in Intensive English or Academic English
  Less than 12 months   No
         
Enrolled in Intensive English or Academic English   More than 12 months   Yes
         
         
Enrolled in Intensive English or Academic English   More than 24 months  

Yes, and apply afresh for admission

Summer/ Winter Admission

The University does not usually admit graduate degree seeking students for the summer session, but exceptional cases may be brought to the attention of the Dean of Graduate Studies for consideration.

New degree seeking students are not admitted to the winter session.

Nondegree applicants for the summer or winter sessions should follow the application procedures for nondegree admission and must submit their application forms by the admission deadlines set for the following semester. For more information about the programs: http://catalog.aucegypt.edu/content.php?catoid=20&navoid=856