Student Responsibility
Students are responsible for their behavior, academic and otherwise, at American University. American University expects that students, as mature members of the academic community, will adhere to the highest standards of personal and academic integrity and good taste.
To protect their academic status, students should seek the appropriate approval of their academic program advisors. It is highly recommended that students keep their own records of all transactions with the university (grade reports, registration schedules and changes, incomplete forms, etc.).
It is also advisable to keep copies of all tests and papers submitted in fulfillment of course work.
Students must initially register or be on a waitlist for the courses in which they wish to enroll prior to the beginning of each session or they will incur a late registration fee. Before registration, students should plan their program with their academic advisor.
Academic Advising
Academic advising is an essential element of the educational process. American University requires advisor/student conferences at least once a semester, but students have the responsibility for selecting their courses, meeting course prerequisites, and adhering to university policies and procedures. The advisor assists the student in obtaining a well-balanced education and interprets university policies and procedures.
Students should be aware of the university’s many advising resources and utilize these resources as needs arise. Students may consult faculty and peer advisors, department chairs, deans, and student support services throughout the university. The university has the responsibility to ensure that advising resources maintain high standards for serving students effectively and efficiently.
The university uses a degree audit system to track undergraduate students’ academic progress. The degree audit report displays academic program requirements completed and to be fulfilled. Prior to an official declaration of major, the reports are based on requirements for the student’s intended major. Students are encouraged to obtain a degree audit online from their myau.american.edu account each semester. Students may also request a copy of their degree audit report from their advisor or the Office of the University Registrar or they may view their degree audit via their portal in Eagle Service, under Student Planning.
New Degree Registration, Continuing Degree Registration, and Continuing Nondegree Student Registration
The registration system, Student Planning, is found on the student’s portal under Eagle Service.
Note: International students in F-1 or J-1 student status are not eligible to enroll as nondegree students. International students in F-1 or J-1 student status should refer to specific instructions for international students.
Currently-enrolled students receive registration information through their American University e-mail account each fall (for spring registration) and spring (for fall and summer registration).
Students should follow these directions:
- Schedule an appointment with their academic advisor.
Nondegree students receive academic advising and registration assistance through the academic department in which they intend to study.
- Continuing students check their AU e-mail account for information concerning registration. Students will be assigned a date and time when they are eligible to enroll. This is the earliest date and time after which they continue to be eligible to register. New degree students will receive information from their advisor about registration dates and times.
- Before meeting with an academic advisor, continuing students should utilize the Student Planning tool accessible on their portal under Eagle Service. Within Student Planning, students should review their degree audit and prepare a draft course schedule. It is their responsibility to select a schedule of courses that is free of day/time conflicts. For updated schedule information check: www.american.edu/provost/registrar/schedule/index.cfm or use the Course Catalog tab in Student Planning.
- With the advisor, students confirm or revise their semester course schedule. If necessary, the advisor will remove the registration hold, allowing the student to register for classes.
- Students must meet all the prerequisites and obtain all required approvals and authorizations for the courses for which they intend to register and will only be permitted to register for courses for which they have met the prerequisite or received a waiver.
In addition to meeting course prerequisites, all students wishing to take courses in Applied Music (Department of Performing Arts), the Kogod School of Business, and the School of Communication must obtain approval from the department or school. Students must obtain all permissions or prerequisite waivers from the appropriate departments prior to registration.
- Students must clear any outstanding financial or other stops before attempting to register.
- The following are not available for web registration: internship, independent research or reading, community service- learning projects, consortium, Washington Semester or AU Abroad programs, alumni audit, continuing enrollment, maintaining matriculation (graduate students), and any courses with a variable credit value. Students should consult with their advisor about these courses.
- Once registered, students can view their semester schedules via their portal at “My Schedule” (under “Academics”). To make registration changes (add/drop/withdraw) within permitted time periods, students may go to the Student Planning tool found on the portal under Eagle Service.
See Changes in Registration for more information on adding, dropping, or withdrawing from courses.
Special Departmental Requirements for Nondegree Students
Departmental approval must be obtained for nondegree registration in courses at the 600 or 700 level.
School of International Service (SIS): Approval must be obtained for all courses at the 500, 600, or 700 level.
Kogod School of Business (KSB): Approval must be obtained for nondegree registration in all KSB courses. In addition, nondegree students must demonstrate that prerequisites have been met. If prerequisites have been completed at a college or university other than American University, students must provide copies of appropriate transcripts. Graduate students must have satisfactory GMAT scores, and a satisfactory grade point average in the last 60 hours of undergraduate work. Students must provide copies of all undergraduate and graduate transcripts and GMAT results.
School of Communication (SOC): Approval must be obtained for nondegree registration in all SOC courses.
First-Time Nondegree Student Registration
Students interested in attending American University as a First-Time Nondegree graduate or undergraduate student should follow these directions:
- Review the Schedule of Classes. Students interested in Summer online learning options may review the American University Summer Sessions page: www.american.edu/summer.
- Understand and meet all course prerequisites.
- Complete the on-campus or online enrollment form available on the AU Central page: www.american.edu/aucentral.
Nondegree graduate students must have a baccalaureate degree.
Admission to courses is subject to space availability and confirmation of eligibility. Enrollment in courses will be confirmed within 24 hours, but validation of registration is subject to settlement of the student’s account within the stipulated period for payment of tuition and fees. Failure to comply with payment schedules may result in cancellation of registration and will necessitate reregistering for courses. Note: students will not be allowed to re-enroll in course sections that have closed.
Students should review the academic calendar, add/drop/withdraw and refund dates for the session in which they attend.
Continuing nondegree students interested in subsequent semester registrations will work with academic advisors for course guidance and registration.
Important Note for International Students
Note: All F-1 and J-1 international students who are enrolling at American University for the first time or for a new program are required to bring to International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) their passport, and I-20, or DS-2019. Non-native speakers of English, regardless of citizenship, must take an English language proficiency test before they register. International students in F-1 or J-1 student status should refer to specific instructions for international students. International students in F-1 or J-1 student status are not eligible to enroll as nondegree students.
Special Departmental Requirements for Nondegree Students
Departmental approval must be obtained for nondegree registration in courses at the 600 or 700 level.
School of International Service (SIS): Approval must be obtained for all courses at the 500, 600, or 700 level.
Kogod School of Business (KSB): Approval must be obtained for nondegree registration in all KSB courses. In addition, nondegree students must demonstrate that prerequisites have been met. If prerequisites have been completed at a college or university other than American University, students must provide copies of appropriate transcripts. Graduate students must have satisfactory GMAT scores, and a satisfactory grade point average in the last 60 hours of undergraduate work. Students must provide copies of all undergraduate and graduate transcripts and GMAT results.
School of Communication (SOC): Approval must be obtained for nondegree registration in all SOC courses.
International Student Course Registration
In addition to the registration procedures for continuing or new degree students, the following steps must be taken by international students (students who are not US citizens or permanent residents):
- All F-1 and J-1 international students who are enrolling at American University for the first time or for a new program are required to bring to International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) their passport and I-20, or DS-2019.
- International students are not required to obtain an international student advisor’s signature to register for courses unless they are registering for an internship.
- International students in F-1 and J-1 status are required to register full-time (at least 12 credit hours for undergraduates and 9 credit hours for graduate students) during the fall and spring semesters. International students who register for less than a full course load are required to obtain written permission from ISSS each term. Failure to do so may result in loss of immigration status.
- Students in B-1/B-2 status are not eligible to register for academic coursework. For more information regarding this DHS regulation, please contact the International Student & Scholar Services office.
- Audit courses are not counted toward a full course of study for the purpose of maintaining an F-1 or J-1 status. Therefore, F-1 and J-1 students may audit courses only if they are registered full-time for courses taken for credit.
SEVIS: Student and Exchange Visitor Information System
Universities enrolling F-1 and J-1 students are required to report to the DHS any student who fails to maintain status, fails to enroll, or who completes his or her program. In addition, each term and no later than 30 days after the beginning of the semester, universities are required to report the following registration information:
- full-time registration or authorization for reduced coursework; and
- current address of each enrolled student.
Finally, ISSS reports to DHS immediately if students withdraw, take Temporary Leave, or drop below full-time with or without ISSS authorization.
Questions concerning DHS regulations should be directed to International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS), Butler Pavilion 410; telephone 202-885-3350; fax 202-885-3354. Regular office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Special Registrations
Audit Registration
Note: Audit courses are not counted toward a full course of study for the purpose of maintaining an F-1 or J-1 status. Therefore, F-1 and J-1 students may audit courses only if they are registered full-time for courses taken for credit.
Students who attend a class but do not wish to receive a final grade or credit for the course must register as an auditor. Students do not receive credit for audited courses. Tuition and fees for auditors are the same as those for students registering for credit. Changes to or from audit may be made through the eighth week of the semester. Audit registration is subject to the same regulations as credit registration. Faculty may establish standards of class participation and attendance for auditing that must be met if a student is to remain in audit status. To register as an auditor, choose “Audit” as the grade type when processing a registration.
Internship Registration
Qualified, degree-seeking students may enroll in credit-bearing, paid or unpaid Internship work assignments with a significant academic component under the guidance of an American University instructor. Instructor and teaching unit approvals are required for internships. An important component of any internship is the availability of an internship placement opportunity that will provide sufficient substantive work to merit academic credit. The work for the internship must meet the requirements defined below.
To enroll, students must be making satisfactory academic progress in their major and must have completed 30 earned credit hours at the University or, as a transfer student, at least one semester (with a minimum of 12 earned credit hours). Academic units or teaching units may specify additional requirements before enrolling students in internships.
Undergraduate Internship Registration
The table below illustrates the earned credits associated with the required minimum interned hours for undergraduates. While the table includes the average weekly interned hours associated with earned credits, students, with the permission of their instructors, may vary their scheduled hours as long as they meet the total minimum requirement by the end of the semester or term. Students who elect to work in excess of the minimum for fewer academic credit hours should consult their academic advisor.
Earned Credits/Minimum Hours Interned for Undergraduates
| Earned Credits |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
| Minimum total hours interned required by end of term |
70 |
140 |
210 |
280 |
350 |
420 |
| Average number of hours interned weekly over 14 weeks |
5 |
10 |
15 |
20 |
25 |
30 |
The maximum number of internship credit hours that may count toward a major is six credit hours. Academic units may require fewer than six credit hours to count toward the major. Students may take up to a maximum of 12 internship credit hours that count toward the 120 credit hours of their degree program. To receive academic credit, the work for the internship must be more substantive than administrative, with non-administrative work comprising in general at least 85% of the work performed. The instructor must provide the student an academic syllabus, with clear learning outcomes for the internship, communicate regularly with the student, and require academic assignments designed to provide an academic foundation and support for the internship. The instructor is responsible for the assessment of the student’s performance which may include an assessment by the workplace supervisor. If the workplace supervisor provides an assessment of the student’s performance, that assessment can count for no more than half the final course grade. The academic component of the course must be valued as at least half of the final course grade.
Graduate Internship Registration
Graduate students may enroll in credit-bearing, paid, or unpaid work assignments (internships) with a significant academic component under the guidance of a faculty member. The work for the internship may be no more than 15% administrative in nature, and instructors must weigh the academic component as at least half of the course grade. The internship must be identified as a course on the Program of Study. Internships may be taken for variable credit. With the approval of the Director of the Graduate Program, students may enroll for 1 to 6 credits. The table below illustrates the average hours worked weekly per internship credit that graduate students are expected to earn over 14 weeks of a traditional semester of the equivalent summer or special term classes. Customarily, students will not have more than six internship study credit hours in any graduate program. Individual programs may set lower limits.
Earned Credits/Minimum Hours Interned for Graduate Students
| Earned Credits |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
| Minimum total hours interned required by end of term |
70 |
140 |
210 |
280 |
350 |
420 |
| Average number of hours interned weekly over 14 weeks |
5 |
10 |
15 |
20 |
25 |
30 |
Students must submit a completed and approved Internship Registration Form, along with the Internship Consent and Release Form to the Office of the University Registrar. Forms are available at: www.american.edu/provost/registrar/pdf/list.cfm. All students are encouraged to work with an advisor in the Career Center. For additional information about internships, call or visit the Career Center, Butler Pavilion 5th floor, 202-885-1804. Information is also available at: www.american.edu/careercenter.
Independent Study Registration
Students must submit a completed and approved Independent Study Registration Form to AU Central. Forms are available at www.american.edu/provost/registrar/pdf/list.cfm.
Undergraduate Students
Students in good academic standing generally may register for two types of independent study. In an Independent Reading course, a student will read a body of material with a minimum of formal instruction. In an Independent Research project, the student will research a topic agreed upon by the student and the instructor. Individual academic units may have restrictions on this policy.
Before registration, the student and the supervising instructor must agree upon and document the title, objective, scope, grade type (letter grade or pass/fail), credit value (1-6) and method of evaluation for the independent study. The teaching unit chair or equivalent must approve the project and instructor’s involvement, ensuring that the independent study does not duplicate a course already in the semester’s curriculum.
Independent study may not be used as credit toward the College Writing or University Mathematics requirements, or toward General Education. Independent study that substitutes for a major requirement must be approved by the teaching unit chair or equivalent. A temporary grade of IP (course in progress) may be assigned, at the discretion of the instructor, at the conclusion of the semester of registration.
Graduate Students
With the approval of their graduate program director, students making Satisfactory Academic Progress may register for an independent study. The independent study must be identified as a course in the program of study. Before registration, the student and the supervising faculty member must agree upon and document the title, objective, scope, credit value (1 to 6 credit hours), and the method of evaluation for the independent study. The instructor must notify the graduate program director of the agreement for the independent study. Students will not have more than nine independent study credit hours in any graduate program. Individual programs may set lower limits.
Community Service Learning Projects
Undergraduate students may earn degree credit toward graduation for community service-learning projects in conjunction with some courses offered by their academic unit. A community service-learning project consists of at least 40 hours of approved field work. To qualify for academic credit, the project must also have an academic component related to the course with which the project is associated.
Students earn one semester hour of credit for each project they complete satisfactorily. A maximum of three credit hours of community service-learning credit may be applied toward graduation. Credit cannot be used to fulfill requirements for General Education or for university-wide College Writing or Mathematics requirements. Credits are offered only as pass/fail grades. Students may attach a community service-learning project to a General Education course, but the credit does not fulfill a General Education credit requirement.
Students must obtain the approval of the instructor before adding a community service-learning project to their registration for the semester.
Consortium Registration
The Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area combines the resources of area universities and colleges. In cooperation with the Catholic University of America, Gallaudet University, George Mason University, The George Washington University, Georgetown University, Howard University, Marymount University, Trinity Washington University, the University of the District of Columbia, and the University of Maryland-College Park, American University offers qualified degree students the opportunity to enroll for selected courses at any of these institutions.
With the appropriate approvals, undergraduate and graduate degree students may take courses for AU residence credit at member institutions of the Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area, provided the course is not offered at American University. Off-campus courses, courses in law and medicine, independent study and reading courses, special institutes, and noncredit courses (except ROTC at Georgetown and Howard) are excluded from the consortium.
To be eligible for this program, students must be fully admitted degree students who are actively enrolled and in good academic standing. Course registration must be approved by the American University dean or department chair of the field of study for which registration is requested and by the Office of the University Registrar. Students are responsible for securing approval at the cooperating institution when requested.
American University students pay the American University tuition rate. Students registering for consortium courses at all universities will be billed for any special fees (such as lab fees) for the course. Consortium registration can be confirmed only after classes begin at the visited school. Students will be guided by the policies and deadlines of the home institution.
For course selection eligibility and registration, contact the Consortium Coordinator for Student Services in the Office of the University Registrar at 202-885-2202. Information on the Consortium is also available at www.consortium.org.
Maintaining Matriculation
Students whose degree requirements are not completed and who have not been granted a temporary leave must register each fall and spring semester during regular registration periods for courses, thesis or dissertation seminars, continuing enrollment, doctoral dissertation, or maintaining matriculation. Those who do not will be considered as having separated from the university. Such students may then reapply and, if readmitted, are governed by requirements and regulations in effect at the time of readmission.
During a semester when a graduate student is not enrolled in credit course work but is utilizing the services of the university (e.g., to prepare for comprehensive examinations or complete research for the thesis or dissertation), the student maintains enrolled status by registering for continuing enrollment, doctoral dissertation, or maintaining matriculation. These courses may have specific requirements as to when and for how many semesters students enroll in them.
Students who change degree objective, college, or school, whose candidacy for an advanced degree expires, or who choose to conform to new regulations or requirements must be prepared to complete all requirements and abide by all regulations in effect at the time such a change is made.
Alumni Audit Registration
Individuals who have earned a degree from American University who are in good financial standing with the university may enroll in one course each fall, spring, and summer semester as alumni auditors. No credit is given for courses taken through this program, and courses will not appear on student transcripts. Alumni who wish to receive credit for courses must register as nondegree students and pay tuition at the prevailing rate. Alumni who are also currently enrolled in a second degree program at AU may participate in the alumni audit option, except in courses for their degree program. Alumni auditors are expected to follow all university conduct policies.
Alumni audit applications may be submitted one to two months prior to the beginning of classes each term. Registrations are processed during the first two weeks of classes for the fall and spring semesters and during the first week of classes in each summer session, and only for courses which have not reached their enrollment limits. For online courses, only one alumni audit registration will be allowed in each online course and faculty permission is required. Alumni audit registration is not counted in determining the minimum enrollment required for a class to run.
The Alumni Audit fee is $100 per course ($200 for summer language intensive courses), which supports the Alumni Association Scholarship Fund and administrative costs. Auditors are also responsible for additional course fees that may apply.
Courses not available for Alumni Audit include courses less than three credits, independent study, research or reading, private music instruction, laboratory courses, seminars, Instructional Revenue Center*** (IRC) programs, partner-delivered online courses, and other online courses, and maintaining matriculation courses. Other course restrictions may apply and are specific to the school or program. Courses with prerequisites written faculty or departmental approval.
For additional information, call 202-885-5962 or go to http://www.american.edu/alumni/learning/alumni-audit.cfm.
For availability of courses, check the Schedule of Classes at www.american.edu/provost/registrar/schedule/index.cfm.
***An Instructional Revenue Center (IRC) is a specialized and intensive course, or sequence of courses, offered on an experimental basis, or a program contracted by an outside agency to offer credit or noncredit training, which is closely related to the academic mission of the sponsoring teaching unit, and is designed primarily for an audience external to the existing student population.
Changes in Registration
Students are responsible for identifying implications for their progress and status at the university, including impact on financial aid, which results from any change in registration. Students are also responsible for verifying that all changes in registration are reflected in their degree audit report and other official student records.
Adding and Dropping Courses
Students may add or drop a course through the tenth business day of classes for the fall or spring, or the equivalent for a summer session or other non-standard session.
In addition to any course prerequisites and required authorizations, approvals are required for the following:
- Students adding business courses must obtain approval from the Kogod School Undergraduate or Graduate Program Office.
- Students adding communication courses must have approval from the School of Communication.
Withdrawing from a Course or from all Courses
Students may withdraw from a course or from all courses up until the end of the eighth week of the semester or the equivalent for summer and other non-standard sessions unless they have been charged with a violation of the Academic Integrity Code . When students withdraw before the eighth week of the semester or equivalent for other terms, a grade of “W” is entered for each course. Some additional restrictions on course withdrawals may apply to particular academic programs, international students and athletes. Additional restrictions may also apply to courses used to satisfy the University Mathematics Requirement .
Students who want to drop or withdraw from all courses simultaneously must work with their academic advisor and file a Drop or Withdraw from All Classes Form. The date of the drop or withdrawal from all classes will be based on the last date of attendance which must be provided by the instructors and included with the submission of the Drop or Withdraw from All Classes Form. If a student’s last date of attendance is after the last day to drop a class and before the last day to withdraw from a class, the student will receive a “W” for each course. Such students may be eligible for a partial reimbursement. If a student leaves after the last day to withdraw from classes, the student will receive no reimbursement and should expect to receive failing grades for that semester. Discontinuation of attendance at a class or notification to the instructor is not sufficient to constitute an official drop or withdrawal from a course. Occupied university housing must be vacated promptly by students who drop or withdraw from all courses.
Reduction of Course Load Due to Medical Reasons
In the event a student encounters medical difficulties after the eighth week of the semester and wishes to withdraw from all courses or secure a reduced course load, the student must meet with the Office of the Dean Students to provide medical documentation. After meeting with the Dean of Students, the student must meet with the academic advisor to file a petition requesting withdrawal from all courses or reduction of course load and all affected instructors must be consulted during the routing of the petition. The Vice Provost for Undergraduate Studies makes the final decision for such withdrawals from all courses or reduced course loads. Students should provide medical documentation only to the Office of the Dean of Students. Students must petition the Office of the Dean of Students to take a medical temporary leave, to return from a Medical Temporary Leave or to return from a semester during which they withdrew from all courses or received a reduced load that was approved for medical reasons. The Office of the Dean of Students will provide verification to the academic unit when the student is ready to resume studies at the university.
Grade Type Option
Students may change grade type options (A-F or Pass/Fail) through the eighth week of classes for the fall or spring, or the equivalent for a summer session or other non-standard sessions.
Changing grade type is not permitted for courses that require a specific grade type, such as Pass/Fail only. Students are responsible for verifying that such changes are reflected in their official student record.
Separation from the University
Students who separate from the university without notifying the Office of the University Registrar will only be considered for readmission under exceptional circumstances.
Students who are eligible to enroll in courses for a semester, but who do not enroll will be separated from the university. Students whose grades would have led to academic dismissal may not voluntarily separate from the university. Students who separate from the university and are subsequently readmitted, will not be readmitted again after they separate from the university a second time for any reason. Students in good academic standing wishing to separate from the university the following semester must notify the Office of the University Registrar and may do so at any time up to and inclusive of the last day of classes, provided their academic progress during the semester does not result in academic dismissal. Separations requested after the last day of instruction or by students on academic probation will only be approved by the academic unit if the student’s academic progress does not result in academic dismissal. Following a separation, students in good academic standing can apply to the university admissions office for readmission in the following semester. Students on academic probation may apply for readmission after two full semesters (fall, spring, or summer).
Course and Schedule Information
Course Numbers
Each course is designated by a subject code and a course number. The subject code identifies a particular academic discipline or teaching unit in the curriculum; e.g. ANTH = Anthropology; ECON = Economics; ARTH = Art History. The numbers identify the level of the course as follows: 0-99, Non-Credit Courses; 100-299, Undergraduate Introductory or Undergraduate Foundation Courses; 300-499, Undergraduate Upper-Level or Undergraduate Advanced Courses; 500-599, Graduate Courses that allow qualified, advanced undergraduates; 600-899 Graduate Courses. No undergraduate students may take 600-799 graduate courses except under specific circumstances where the courses are cross-listed with undergraduate courses as part of a combined BA/MA program or by special permission of the associate dean of the academic unit.
Credit Hour Value
All undergraduate and graduate courses are valued in credit hours. American University uses the Carnegie Classification definition of a semester credit hour. A semester credit hour is defined as at least 12.5 hours of direct faculty instruction per semester (in class, online, or remote sites) with at least 25 hours of student work outside of that direct instruction, typically conducted over a 15-week semester, or an equivalent amount of faculty instruction and work over a different time period. Generally, each credit hour is equal to 50 minutes of class instruction a week for 15 weeks or 750 minutes of class instruction per semester.
Course Descriptions and Syllabuses
Descriptions of permanent courses currently in the university curriculum are listed by course number in Course Descriptions at the end of this catalog. Catalog course descriptions, as well as selected and rotating topics course descriptions, are available each semester from the Schedule of Classes at www.american.edu/provost/registrar/schedule/index.cfm.
A syllabus describing the general nature and scope of each course is available from the department offering the course for three years.
Course Prerequisites
Many courses call for a minimum background of knowledge, as indicated by prerequisite courses cited in individual descriptions. Titles and numbers are those of American University courses; equivalent courses satisfactorily completed at other accredited institutions also meet prerequisite requirements by transfer credit.
Students are responsible for entering the class with the required competence. Thus, prerequisites warn students of the knowledge they are to bring with them in order to meet the expected standards of performance.
Class Periods
Day classes, except those on Wednesday and Saturday, ordinarily meet two days a week for 75 minutes a meeting. Wednesday classes ordinarily meet once a week for two hours and 30 minutes. Some classes meet three times a week for 50 minutes a meeting. Evening classes ordinarily meet once a week for two hours and 30 minutes or twice a week for 75 minutes a meeting.
Courses involving laboratory, studio, discussion groups, or workshops may vary from these schedules. Independent reading courses, independent research or study projects, internships, and similar kinds of study opportunities meet according to the special arrangement with the school, department, or faculty members concerned.
Cancellation of Courses
Occasionally it is necessary to cancel a scheduled course because of low enrollment, the last-minute unavailability of an instructor, or other unavoidable reasons. Every effort is made to announce the cancellation before the first class meeting, but this is not always possible. If a course is canceled, a student who does not choose to transfer to another course may receive a full refund of the tuition and fees paid for the canceled course by completing a refund request form in the Office of Student Accounts.
Class Attendance
Individual instructors may have different attendance requirements; it is the student’s responsibility to check each course syllabus to determine policy and to speak to instructors regarding excused absences such as major religious holidays (posted annually by the Office of Provost and Kay Spiritual Life Center), medical or mental health events, and athletic team events. Unexcused absences may affect a student’s grades. Students may not be penalized for excused absences but are required to make-up all work missed as a result of the excused absence.
Veterans and others receiving government benefits are reminded that the paying agency may have specific attendance policies.
Emergency Cancellation of Classes
Classes at American University are expected to meet according to the announced schedule and no instructor is authorized to change the day, hour, or place of any meeting. Unless cancellation of classes is announced publicly, classes will meet. When cancellation of classes is necessary, instructors are expected to arrange for additional reading, study assignments, or class meetings to compensate for attendance time lost.
Final Exam Policy
Students are expected to take final exams at the times scheduled by the Office of the University Registrar. Accommodations are made for students with excused absences, and for students with documented disabilities. Students with two exams scheduled for the same time and students with three or more final exams on a given day should submit a request to reschedule an exam to the undergraduate dean’s office of their home unit. This request must be submitted via email no later than November 1 in the fall semester and April 1 in the spring semester. The administrator in the undergraduate dean’s office will contact all faculty concerned to see if an accommodation can be reached. If that effort fails, the exam from the class with the lowest enrollment will be rescheduled. All rescheduled exams must occur during the final exam period. Unexcused absences at final exams may result in a failure for the course or other substantial penalty. Students must follow any additional policies or procedures set by individual academic units.
Waitlist Rules
Students often “waitlist” if they are considering adding a course or a new section of a course in lieu of the section in which they are currently enrolled. Students may not waitlist for more than one section of any course at any given time. Students may not waitlist for more than three unique courses at any point in time.
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