Graduate Certificates Admission Instructions

The Sam Nunn School of International Affairs offers three graduate certificates in International Security and Aerospace Systems, Global Development, and Astrobiology. The International Security and Aerospace Systems and Global Development certificates are available to Georgia Tech graduate students and applicants with a four-year baccalaureate degree from an accredited university or college. For the Astrobiology admissions instructions, please visit the program site for more information.

Admission is offered to those who appear to have the highest potential for successful graduate-level study and are the most likely to contribute substantially to their academic fields. The admission committee considers several factors when making admission decisions, including academic performance at prior institutions (GPAs), statement of purpose, and letters of recommendation.

How to Apply: Current Georgia Tech Graduate Students

Students interested in learning more about the International Security and Aerospace Systems Certificate are encouraged to contact Graduate Studies Program for more information.

How to Apply: External Applicants

Start the application process by going to:

http://grad.gatech.edu/apply-now

You will be asked to select a major. When you enter International Security and Aerospace Systems, you will be routed to detailed instructions for completing and submitting the application, online letters of recommendation, and required documents. You should print these instructions so you can refer to them anytime.

1. Complete the online application on CollegeNet.

   The online application includes:

   • The general Georgia Tech application. On this form, you will enter general information about yourself, your contact information, and your academic qualifications. You will also enter your statement of purpose and résumé while completing the online application. You must submit these online. Do not mail the statement of purpose or résumé a separate document.

     Note: It is critical that you accurately enter your personal contact information in the online application in case we need to contact you.

   • Georgia Residency Application
   • Information from Non-Citizens Form (International applicants only)
   • Submission and application fee payment.

2. Letters of Recommendation

   Two letters of recommendation are required, and it is recommended that your recommendations come from faculty who are familiar with your academic performance. The letters of recommendation are submitted online. Information regarding the submission of the letters is given in the directions for submitting your online application. The Nunn School requires online letters of recommendation except in very rare circumstances. By not using the online system, you could cause delay in your application’s consideration.

3. As part of our online application process, you can electronically request recommenders to submit your letter (or letters) of recommendation. You will be asked for the following information:

   • Names of recommenders
   • Organization affiliation, position/title of each person.
   • Relationship with recommender
   • Email addresses

   • Waiver (most applicants choose to waive their right to review the recommendations) Your recommenders will receive an email, inviting them to complete an online recommendation. If you have any difficulty with the system, contact grad.ask@gatech.edu(link sends e-mail). Include your application ID number in the email and a description of your problem.

4. Submitting supporting documents

   Instructions for submitting required documents are included in the directions you are given at the beginning of the online application process.

   For all applicants:

   Transcripts

   We accept unofficial transcripts at the time of application- an unofficial transcript is simply an official transcript that has been opened. We do not accept screen shots of your grades and courses. If you are admitted, we will then require that you submit your official transcripts.

   If you completed your education outside of the United States, go to our International Student Admission page for information on submitting your required documents.

   Georgia Tech requires evidence of award of a bachelor's degree, its equivalent, or higher degree (prior to matriculation) from a regionally accredited institution. Regional accreditation is the educational accreditation of schools, colleges, and universities in the United States by one of seven regional accrediting agencies. You can go to Council for Higher Education Accreditation(link is external) for more information.

   An unofficial transcript can be either an official electronic transcript or an official paper transcript that you have scanned and uploaded. The document must be printed on the institution's official paper and should include:

   You can submit your official transcript(s) one of the following ways:

   Preferred Method: Electronic official transcripts can be emailed directly from the issuing school to transcripts@grad.gatech.edu(link sends e-mail) or sent via Parchment(link is external), eScrip-SAFE(link is external), National Student Clearing House(link is external), and Digitary(link is external).

   If you cannot send your transcripts electronically, you can mail the official hard copy to the address listed below. Be sure to include your full name as it appears on your application.

   Documents to be mailed should be sent to:

   Graduate Admissions Office 
   631 Cherry Street
   Savant Building, Room 318
   Atlanta, GA 30332-0321

For citizenship and residential status:

Please Check the graduate admissions page for a table and detailed information on documents required.

Program Specific Information: External Applicants

PLEASE NOTE: For the spring 2021 application term, we had two different application systems overlap for a period of time. Depending on which application system you accessed for your application, the status page link will vary. Please read the following information to determine which application system you need to access.

• If your application was submitted via applyweb, you can check your application status here (link is external) 
  • You have to use the same user ID and password created when you applied. Any notes from Graduate Studies pertaining to your application will also be available in this area. For a complete list of what each status type means, visit the Help Desk page
• If your application was submitted via gradapp, you can check your application status here
  • You have to use the same email and password created when you applied. You can also upload application materials via this application status page. You can submit application/admission questions via our Help Desk page.

Admission Decisions

Online applications must be completed and submitted and the application fee paid by the dates shown below to be considered. An admission decision will not be made on an incomplete application.

A Note to International Applicants: The deadline dates listed below are the latest that we will accept applications. However, it is strongly recommended that international students residing in and outside the United States submit their applications as early as possible.

Deadlines for Applications

Global Development

• United States Citizens and Permanent Residents

  Priority Deadline / Consideration for Fellowships/Assistantships: January 15th
  Space Available: April 1st

• International Applicants (includes those residing in the United States)

  All applicants: January 15th

International Security and Aerospace Systems

• All applicants: January 15th