American University of Beirut

The American University of Beirut seeks students of sound character and demonstrated academic achievement and promise. In accordance with the policies of its founders and with its equal opportunity policy, the university admits students regardless of race, color, religion, gender, disability, or national origin. While it attracts students from more than ninety countries, AUB primarily serves applicants from Lebanon, the Arab world, and other countries of the Middle East and seeks to maintain geographic distribution within the region. The university values its strong ties with its alumni and considers the attendance of alumni children important to the maintenance of these ties and to the continuation of its traditions.

Graduate Studies

Study leading to the Master degree begun at the American University of Beirut in 1904; the first Master degree was awarded the following year. Study leading to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy was initiated in 1961; the first PhD degree was granted in 1966.

Graduate study is under the direction of the graduate studies committees of the various faculties and the Board of Graduate Studies. The Board of Graduate Studies is accountable to the University Senate. The Graduate Council is the executive body with oversight of graduate programs at AUB.

New programs may be added upon recommendation by the faculty graduate committee and approval of the faculty(ies) concerned, the Board of Graduate Studies, the University Senate, and the Board of Trustees. All programs are approved and registered by the New York State Education Department (NYSED) and listed on NYSED Inventory of Registered Programs.​

Graduate Council 

The Graduate Council (GC) reports to the Provost of the university and plays a vital role in implementing the rules and regulations governing graduate work uniformly across the university, in accordance with policies approved by the Board of Graduate Studies (BGS) and the Senate, and as recommended by the faculties and schools. The Graduate Council facilitates and coordinates graduate education and follows up on the implementation of graduate policies and deadlines. The Graduate Council works closely with the BGS and Faculty Graduate Studies (FGS) Committees to provide mechanisms for the quality control of all aspects of graduate education. In cooperation with faculty, students, and staff, the Graduate Council undertakes preparatory steps and coordinates graduate recruitment programs to ensure a selection process from a highly qualified pool of student applicants, provides information about admissions to all graduate programs, administers graduate standards of scholarship and policy, and encourages the development and success of students through workshops, training activities, counseling, and initiatives which promote timely degree completion. The Graduate Council also administers AUB’s Graduate Assistantship and Fellowship policy (GFAP).​

Areas in Which Graduate Study Is Offered 

The university offers the master’s degree, the degree of doctor of philosophy, and two types of graduate diplomas: academic diplomas and professional diplomas.​

Master’s Degrees 

Faculty of Arts and Sciences​​

​Suliman S. Olayan School of Business​

​Maroun Semaan Faculty of Engineering and Architecture​​

Faculty of Health Sciences

Faculty of Medicine​

Rafic Hariri School of Nursing

Interfaculty Program

PHD Degrees​

AUB offers the Doctor of Philosophy degree in twelve disciplines. The programs have been designed for students whose academic backgrounds and interests in specific research areas suggest a potential for scholarly success and significant contribution to the body of knowledge. Students will work on a specific research plan with a contributing scholar and mentor in their department.

All PhD candidates at AUB will normally receive full tuition waiver and a monthly stipend. PhD students are required to be involved in teaching activities. These include: teaching a full course, assisting in group learning activities, or servicing in the labs as assigned by the department.​

Further information on programs, research possibilities, requirements for candidacy, and specific requirements for the PhD degree can be found on the corresponding faculty’s section of this catalogue and on its webpage.

PhD programs include the following:​

Faculty of Arts and Sciences

• Arabic Language and Literature
• Arab & Middle Eastern History
• Cell and Molecular Biology
• Theoretical Physics

Faculty of Health Sciences

• Epidemiology
  

Rafic Hariri School of Nursing

• Nursing

Maroun Semaan Faculty of Engineering and Architecture

• Civil Engineering
• Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Environmental and Water Resources Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering

Faculty of Medicine

• Biomedical Sciences

Faculty of Medicine and Maroun Semaan Faculty of Engineering and Architecture

• Biomedical Engineering

Graduate Diploma Programs​

• Graduate Academic Diplomas
• Graduate Professional Diplomas

Application Procedures

The online Graduate application link is the following: https://graduateadmissions.aub.edu.lb or on SLATE at https://join.aub.edu.lb/apply/.

Applications submitted will be reviewed based on the deadlines stated below (and indicated on the online application), and decisions of the department/program and the Graduate Studies Committee will be announced by the Office of Admissions. Accepted applicants are given one month to decide whether to accept, defer, or decline admission.​

Readiness for University Study in English (RUSE)

Applicants to any graduate program (except for AUB graduates and graduates of recognized colleges or universities in North America, Great Britain, Australia, and New Zealand) must demonstrate proficiency in the English language. This can be done by submitting official test scores for (at least) one of the following tests, English Entrance Examination (AUB-EN), Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet Based (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), DUOLINGO English Test (DET), GRE (Verbal Part), and GMAT (Verbal Part). Updated scores to meet the RUSE can be found on the following URL: https://www.aub.edu.lb/admissions/english/

Applicants may also be admitted with English language proficiency test scores lower than those listed in the URL above. In such cases, the applicants will be required to take English language courses upon starting their graduate degree programs.

Applicants to graduate diploma programs are expected to demonstrate proficiency in the English language following the university’s requirements for graduate diploma programs.​

English Language Intensive/Remedial Courses

Applicants who obtain scores lower than the required ones will be placed in the remedial graduate English course, ENGL300

After Change of Schedule (Drop and Add), no new test scores will be accepted and no new placement will be made.​

Further Requirements​​​

An applicant’s scores on the tests below must be made available to the appropriate departments and faculty graduate studies committees in time for graduate study admission selection. It is the responsibility of applicants to register for and take the required tests on the appropriate dates to ensure that the Office of Admissions receives the scores in time for admission selection.

Applicants for the master’s degree in certain programs at the Faculty of Arts and Sciences are required to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general test and submit the score along with the application. GRE test scores are valid for five years after the testing year in which the applicant is tested.

Applications missing the GRE will not be considered by departments. Some departments in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences recommend that applicants present GRE subject tests. Applicants are advised to check with the department or program to which they are applying regarding this requirement.

Applicants for the MBA program are required to take the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT).

Applicants need to submit the official valid scores no later than one month after the application deadline.

A valid score should be recent (no older than 5 years at the time the application is submitted) and no less than 570.

Upon registering for GMAT, applicants must specify that results be sent to the AUB Office of Admissions (ETS school code 0902). Some faculties and departments have additional requirements regarding admission to their programs. Prospective applicants should ascertain from the faculty/ department/program concerned whether they meet all requirements. For detailed information regarding admission to a particular faculty or department, see the sections on graduate study in the relevant faculty and department.​

Admission

Admission to Master’s Programs

Graduate study is offered on a selective basis to students who have shown distinctive academic ability. Applicants for graduate study may be considered for admission into one of three categories:​

Admission to the Master’s Degree Programs

To be considered for admission to the graduate programs at AUB, applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from AUB or its equivalent from a recognized institution of higher learning. Applicants who have a good record of academic achievement and a potential for creative and independent work may be admitted into one of the following categories:

• Admission as a Regular Graduate Student, with the possibility of financial support via the Graduate Fellowship and Assistant Program (GFAP)​

• Admission on Probation

• Admission as Prospective Graduate Student (FAFS, FAS, and MSFEA)​

The minimum admission requirements for all categories are described below. Additional requirements may be set by the individual departments/programs as approved by Faculty Graduate Studies Committees. Applicants are advised to check with the concerned department or program to which they are applying or with the Office of Admissions for additional requirements.

Admission to the master’s program at AUB is competitive based on the academic record and achievements of the applicant. Departments may also recommend admission for those students with particular research interests or characteristics, which are compatible with the areas of expertise of the faculty or the faculty goals within that program.

Applicants who hold degrees from institutions other than AUB must present, along with their official transcript, a letter from the institution awarding the degree indicating the denotation of their grading system in terms of its equivalence on a 4.0 GPA scale or in terms of letter grades A, B, C with +/- scales. Alternatively, applicants may present an official letter from the Office of the Registrar of their respective institutions indicating the graduating class average of previous years along with standard deviation and class size.​

Admission as a Regular Student

An applicant is considered for admissions as a regular student to a graduate program if s/he meets the following minimum admission requirements:

• An undergraduate average of at least 3.3 (or standardized equivalent from other institutions of higher learning) in the major field of study and a cumulative average of at least 3.0 (or standardized equivalent) for all work done at the undergraduate level leading to a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from AUB or other recognized institutions of higher learning are required. In the Maroun Semaan Faculty of Engineering and Architecture and the Interfaculty Graduate Environmental Sciences Program (IGESP), an average of at least 3.3 is required for the last two years of undergraduate study or its equivalent at AUB or other universities as determined by the faculty.

• Students who hold a minor in a field of specialization with at least a 3.3 may be considered for admission as regular students in that field.

• At least two letters of recommendation are required.

• A detailed statement of purpose (around 400-500 words) for each choice (major or concentration) indicating the purpose for pursuing graduate study in the particular field at AUB, and specifying the applicant’s research interests and/or practical experience in the field is required.

• Additional requirements may exist that are specific to each graduate program as included in the department or program listings​

In selecting students to the master’s program, the Faculty Graduate Studies Committee recognizes other evidence of achievement—whenever present—such as research potential or experience, work experience, publications, or other creative work or scholarly activity. In considering such criteria, the Graduate Studies Committee of the faculty will, in some cases, give serious consideration to departmental recommendations for admission to applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements of the undergraduate grade point average indicated above but instead have presented clear evidence of creative activity and academic potential. Departments must present to the faculty Graduate Studies Committee a justification of such admission recommendations. The Graduate Studies Committee will review these cases and will make its final recommendation to the dean on a case-by-case basis.

Admission on Probation

An applicant is considered for admission on probation if s/he meets the following minimum admission requirements:​

• An undergraduate average of at least 3.0 (or standardized equivalent from other institutions of higher learning) in the major field of study and a cumulative average of at least 3.0 (or standardized equivalent) for all work done at the undergraduate level leading to a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from AUB or other recognized institutions of higher learning are required. In the Maroun Semaan Faculty of Engineering and Architecture and the Interfaculty Graduate Environmental Sciences Program (IGESP), an average of 3.0 is required for the last two years of study or its equivalent at AUB or other universities as determined by the faculty.

• The requirements for application and the governing regulations for admission recommendations as presented under “regular admission” remain the same in this case.

In addition, an applicant who does not meet the above minimum requirements but appears to have reasonable potential for success as a graduate student as manifested by appropriate practical experience or a high score on a relevant standardized exam such as GRE or GMAT, may be admitted on probation.

A student admitted on probation must complete ten (10) credits of graduate level courses during the first two terms of graduate studies, pass all courses, and attain a minimum cumulative average of 3.3 in order to achieve the status of “regular” student. If the student fails to meet any of these conditions, s/he will be dropped from the program. Students admitted on probation are not considered for financial assistantship until they achieve the status of “regular” student.​

Admission as a Prospective Graduate Student (FAFS, FAS, and MSFEA)

Applicants who hold a bachelor’s degree in a major field of study other than the one to which they are applying, and who do not have sufficient academic preparation in the field, may be admitted as a prospective graduate student who must complete certain undergraduate course requirements. Guidelines governing such course requirements are presented below.​

• To be considered for admission as a prospective graduate student, the applicant must have attained an undergraduate average of 3.0 (or standardized equivalent) in all work done at the undergraduate level leading to a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from AUB or another recognized institution of higher learning. In the Maroun Semaan Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, an applicant is considered for admission as a prospective graduate student if s/he has attained an average of 3.0 at AUB for the last two years of undergraduate study or its equivalent at other universities, as determined by the faculty, and has demonstrated good performance in courses related to the field being sought.

• The requirements for application and the governing regulations for admission as

  presented under Regular Admission are the same in this case.

• The following policies relate to undergraduate course requirements for students admitted into the prospective student category:

• Prospective students are normally required to take a maximum of fifteen (15) credits of undergraduate courses in the major field of study to which they are applying and must achieve an average of at least 3.3 in these courses to be admitted to the graduate program and begin work towards their master’s degree.

• Departments may recommend reducing the fifteen (15) credits minimum requirement for prospective students subject to the provision of supporting evidence to the Faculty Graduate Studies Committee. Students who have taken courses in the intended field of study or in areas judged by departments as relevant to the intended field of study may have their requirements reduced. In considering undergraduate courses as prerequisites towards beginning an MA/MS/ME degree in a field of study, departments may recommend to the Faculty Graduate Studies Committee consideration of courses other than the strictly defined field of study that they consider relevant. Outstanding work and/or research experience relevant to the intended field of study may (in exceptional cases) be considered in partial fulfillment of required courses. All recommendations to reduce the requirements below 15 credits require the approval of the Faculty Graduate Studies Committee following departmental justification.

• Departments may recommend waiving some course requirements after the student’s first term subject to justification and outstanding performance to the Faculty Graduate Studies Committee.

• For the purpose of change of status (after completion of requirements) to regular graduate student, a minimum average of 3.3 will be required in all fifteen (15) credits of undergraduate courses in the field (including the ones taken prior to acceptance). If an average of 3.0-3.3 is attained, the student may have her/his status changed to graduate on probation pending department recommendation and approval of the Faculty Graduate Studies Committee.

Prospective graduate students who have completed all but one undergraduate prerequisite course may begin taking one graduate course along with the last undergraduate course requirement upon the approval of their department and the Faculty Graduate Studies Committee. The supplementary courses must be completed within four consecutive regular terms.​

Requirements for Dual Master Degrees​

Qualified graduate students may enroll and earn two master’s degrees in distinct fields from two programs in the same Faculty or in different Faculties. Dual master’s degrees are degrees that have been proposed by two departments/programs from the same or different Faculties, recommended by concerned Faculties to the Board of Graduate Studies and approved by the University Senate. In such cases, a student will be concurrently granted two degrees at the time of graduation contingent upon successful completion of requirements of each program. If tuition differs betwe​​en the two programs, students will pay the higher of the tuitions. Students can register as dual degree candidates only in programs that are approved by the university and are listed in the AUB graduate catalogue. The list is restricted to compatible pairs of master’s degrees that students can pursue in parallel so that their research stays focused. Refer to the graduate catalogue to determine whether dual master’s degrees are available in your areas of interest.

To fulfill the basic requirement for the two degrees, a student must complete a minimum of eighteen (18) credit hours of graduate course work in each degree program. The remaining credits include additional course work and a thesis for the thesis option program or a project for non-thesis option that are credited for both master’s degrees. In cases where a thesis option is offered by one program and a project by another, the thesis option must be adopted. The student will submit one thesis/project for the two degrees. The thesis/project must be approved by both departments/programs and by the Faculty Graduate Studies Committee to which each program resides. The thesis/project committee for dual degrees must include at least one member from each degree program. The single thesis presented for dual degree programs cannot be used to satisfy the thesis requirements of any third or additional graduate degree program different from those in the dual degrees.

The minimum total credit hours for a dual master’s degree program, if both programs require thirty (30) credit hours for degree completion, is forty-eight (48) graduate credit hours which apply for both thesis and non-thesis option programs. If one of the programs for dual degrees requires forty-two (42) credit hours for completion and the other program requires thirty (30) credit hours, the minimum total credit hours for the dual degrees is sixty (60) credits, including the thesis/ project as mentioned in the previous paragraph. Students must also meet any other specific requirements of each master’s program.

Application Processes for Dual Master Degrees

A student wishing to apply for dual degrees may submit a single dual degree application that will be sent to each degree program simultaneously when first applying for graduate admissions. If the student is already registered in one degree, s/he may apply for the second degree no later than the end of a student’s second term at AUB to be considered for the dual degree.

• The student application will be considered separately by each department/program and must satisfy the admissions requirements of both programs and be accepted to both programs to be admitted to the dual degree.
• A student admitted to dual master’s degree programs may benefit from the Graduate Fellowship and Assistantship Program (GFAP) in either or both of the participating units; the total awarded cannot exceed what each unit provides for a graduate assistant for one academic year.
• A student admitted to dual master’s degree programs will receive a single transcript identifying both degrees and the two program titles.
• A student may leave the dual degree programs before completion of both degrees. If the requirements for one degree have been fulfilled, that degree may be awarded.

Transfer of Credits

Up to nine (9) transfer credits may be applied to one of the two degree programs or may be divided between the two degree programs. The transfer of credit follows university policy with regards to the minimum grade required for transferrable courses from other institutions.

Residency Requirement​​​​

To meet the minimum residency requirement for dual master’s degrees, a student must register and be in residence as a graduate student for at least three regular terms.

All requirements for the dual degrees must be completed within a period of five years after admission to the dual master’s degrees. Extension beyond the maximum allowed period of study requires approval from the Faculty(ies) Graduate Studies Committee/s.

Admission to PhD Programs

Applicants who have an excellent record of academic achievement and a potential for creative and independent work may be admitted into one of the following categories:

• Admissions for Students Holding a Master’s Degree
  

• Admissions for Students Holding a Bachelor’s Degree

The minimum admission requirements for the two categories are described below. Additional requirements may be set by the individual programs as approved by the Faculty Graduate Studies Committee and the Board of Graduate Studies. Applicants are advised to check with the department/program administration to which they are applying or with the Office of Admissions for additional requirements.

Admission to the PhD program at AUB is competitive, based on the academic record and achievements of the applicant and the research foci of the department/program.

Applicants who hold degrees from institutions other than AUB must present, along with their official transcript, letter/s from the institution/s awarding the degree/s, indicating the denotation of their grading system in terms of its equivalence on a 4.0 GPA scale or in terms of letter grades A, B, C with +/- scales. Alternatively, applicants may present an official letter from the Registrar’s office of their respective institutions indicating the graduating class average of previous years along with standard deviation and class size.​

Admission for Students Holding a Master’s Degree

Applicants to PhD programs are expected to have demonstrated distinctive academic ability. An applicant is considered for admission to the PhD program if s/he meets the following minimum admission requirements:

• Holds a master’s degree in any of the disciplines approved by the department/program to which the candidate is applying from AUB or other recognized institution of higher learning with a minimum cumulative average of 3.7 or its equivalent.

• Submits a complete application including transcripts of academic record from all the institutions that were attended after high school.

• General GRE test scores. Scores up to five years old will be accepted in most programs requiring the GRE scores. The departments may set minimum required scores; refer to the specific program for more information.

• A written statement of purpose (about 400-500 words) indicating the purpose for pursuing graduate study in the particular field at AUB, and specifying the applicant’s research interests and/or practical experience in the field.

• A portfolio that includes a resume and samples of work if required by the specific program.

• Three letters of recommendation.

• Completes an interview either in person, by phone, or online.

• Students from non-English-speaking countries must show proficiency in the English language. For additional information, refer to RUSE.​

Admission for Students Holding a Bachelor’s Degree​

Applicants who have an excellent record of academic achievement, and a potential for creative and independent work at the bachelor level, may be admitted into a PhD accelerated track at the bachelor level if this track is available at the department/program.

An applicant is considered for admission as a PhD track student if s/he meets the following minimum admission requirements:

• A bachelor’s degree in any of the disciplines approved by the department to which the candidate is applying from AUB or other recognized institution of higher learning with a minimum major and cumulative average of 3.7 or its equivalent.

• The same requirements for the application, for students holding a master’s degree, apply to the accelerated PhD track.

The student should consult with specific programs to learn about minimum requirements for completion of the accelerated PhD track degree. It is possible that some programs will require that the student complete her/his master’s degree before starting the PhD degree.

In selecting students to the PhD program, the Faculty Graduate Studies Committee recognizes other evidence of achievement—whenever present - such as research potential or experience, work experience, publications, or other creative work or scholarly activity. In considering such criteria, the Faculty Graduate Studies Committee will give serious consideration to departmental recommendations for admission in some cases for applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements of grade point average indicated above but instead have presented clear evidence of creative activity and academic potential. Departments must present to the Faculty Graduate Studies Committee a justification of such admission recommendations. The Graduate Studies Committee will review these cases and will make its final recommendation on a case-by-case basis.​

Admission to a Graduate Diploma Program

For graduate academic diplomas, the student must have an undergraduate bachelor’s degree (or its equivalent from AUB or other recognized institution of higher learning) with an average of at least 3.0 (or standardized equivalent from other institutions of higher learning). An applicant, who does not meet the minimum undergraduate average requirement but appears to have reasonable potential for academic success as manifested by relevant practical experience or high scores on relevant standardized exams, may be admitted based on justified recommendation.

For graduate professional diplomas, the same admission requirements apply as for graduate academic diplomas but without a minimum constraint on the undergraduate average.

For both graduate professional and graduate academic diplomas, Faculties/Schools may set additional admission requirements for specific graduate diploma programs.

Applicants to certain Diploma programs in certain Faculties might be required to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general test or the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) and submit the score along with the application. GRE and GMAT test scores are valid for five years after the testing year in which the applicant is tested.

Admission as a Visiting Graduate Student

This category applies to students who are on study abroad, from another university or as part of an exchange program.

Applicants must be students at another recognized institution of higher learning pursuing graduate studies at the master’s or PhD level. Applications should be submitted to the Office of Admissions along with the degree and transcript of record by the end of January if applying for the following fall, by the end of October if applying for the following spring, or by the end of March if applying for the following summer. GRE test scores are not required in this case. Applicants should specify their intended course of study during their visiting status. Applications are reviewed by departments where courses are to be taken. Recommendations for admission as visiting students require the approval of the Faculty Graduate Studies Committee.

Admission is offered normally for one term but may be extended an additional term depending on the specific agreement and following the approval of the department(s), where courses are taken, and the Faculty Graduate Studies Committee.​

Deferred Registration of Admitted Students

Graduate applicants who are offered admission for a term and who do not register are eligible for admission the following term based on the approval of a petition. For programs where admission is granted only once a year, graduate applicants are eligible for admission the following year based on the approval of a petition. The petition should be submitted by the applicant to the Office of Admissions at least one month before the start of the term during which they plan to enroll.

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