Doctor of Philosophy in Intelligence, Defense & Cybersecurity Policy

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.

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 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:

• Unofficial transcripts from US colleges/universities can be used in the admissions review process in lieu of official transcripts for this program.
• Neither unofficial transcripts from international colleges /universities nor unofficial transcript /credential evaluations of international transcripts can be used in the admissions review process in lieu of official transcripts or official transcript/credential evaluations.  Official transcript/credential evaluations must be received before an admission decision can be made. 
• Applicants can submit unofficial transcripts via the Upload Materials section of their applicant portal. 
• Applicants can monitor the receipt of their application materials by logging into their applicant portal. 
• Applicants who are offered acceptance based on unofficial transcripts must submit their official transcripts no later than August 1, 2025 for the Fall 2025 entry term.
  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 
  
• If official transcripts are not received by the deadlines indicated for each term, then enrollment will not be allowed for that term and the acceptance will be deferred to a future term or will be withdrawn.

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

• If ordering from ECE, please select "Augusta University - Undergraduate and Graduate Admissions" as the institution delivery.
• If ordering from Silny, please complete the required PDF ordering form per their webpage. In the Method of Delivery section, please write the following, "Augusta University - Office of Academic Admissions email to graduateadmissions@augusta.edu.
• If ordering from WES, please select the following, "Augusta University" as the recipient, "Office of Academic Admissions" as the school/division,  "Standard Delivery" as the delivery method. 

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.

None are required for this program.

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.

• TOEFL Minimum Overall Score: 79 internet based or 213 computer based
• IELTS Minimum Overall Band Score: 6.5

English Proficiency Exam Waiver Criteria: An English proficiency exam will be waived for applicants to graduate programs who:

• submit proof of earning a Baccalaureate, Master’s or Doctoral degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college/university. The requirement will be waived upon receipt of the official transcript showing proof of degree
• are citizens of countries on the approved waiver list

Please visit the International Student webpage for more information.

In addition to standard graduate admissions requirements, applicants to this program must meet certain conditions. Because this program’s courses are aligned with US national security objectives and doctrines, applicants to the PhD program in Intelligence, Defense, and Cybersecurity Policy must be eligible for and have a reasonable expectation of receiving U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) security clearance to be admitted to the program. Applicants need not possess or apply for DOD security clearance prior to being admitted to the program but must have a reasonable expectation to believe that they meet the requirements to receive such a clearance and that it will be granted.  

DOD requirements to receive security clearance include the following: 

1. United States Citizenship
2. Demonstrated loyalty to the United States
3. Demonstration of good character and conduct
4. Passing a background check
5. Completing a Personal Security Questionnaire (SF-86)
6. Undergoing Fingerprinting 

 Factors that can impact your ability to gain DOD security clearance include, but are not limited to: 

• Criminal conduct 

• Drug involvement 

• Financial considerations 

• Use of information technology systems 

• Foreign influence 

• Alcohol consumption 

• Psychological conditions and personal behavior 

• Handling protected information 

• Dishonorably discharged from the military  

• Illegal drug use  

• Revocation of prior security clearances  

• History of financial difficulties, such as unpaid bills 

Within the application, applicants will be asked; 1- to confirm that they have read and understand the conditions stated above and, 2 - to indicate if they have a reasonable expectation to believe that they meet the requirements to receive a US Security clearance and that it would be granted. 

Within your application, using an essay format, you will be prompted to discuss and elaborate in detail on the following questions: 1) Why do you think you are a good fit for a PhD in Intelligence, Defense, and Cybersecurity Policy 2) What are your Career objectives and how will this PhD help obtain them? 3) What skills and tools will you bring to the program in terms of the type of research you want to contribute to the field, and/or what type of practical experience do you bring that would benefit the program and discipline overall? (500 word limit)

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.