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    Nov 28, 2024  
American University Catalog 2020-2021 
    
American University Catalog 2020-2021 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

International Accelerator Program (Undergraduate)


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The undergraduate International Accelerator Program (IAP) is a non-degree academic pathway program for international students lacking the required English proficiency to be admissible to degree programs at American University. The program is comprised of two distinct tracks: The Extended Accelerator and the Academic Accelerator. Within the Academic Accelerator, students with higher language proficiency will be placed in a sub-track, the Advanced Academic Accelerator. Students are placed in a program track based on English language proficiency level. IAP helps to ease the transition for international students to American University by combining credit-bearing academic courses from the first year of the degree with additional support, teaching, and cultural experiences. The Extended Accelerator Program is a four-term program during which students earn a minimum of 24 credits transferable to an undergraduate degree. The Academic Accelerator is a three-term program during which students earn a minimum of 24 credits transferable to an undergraduate degree.

Pre-Sessional English


The Pre-Sessional English (PSE) International Accelerator Program (IAP) is a non-degree intensive English program offered in partnership with the English Language and Training Academy (Undergraduate)  (ELTA) through the School of Professional & Extended Studies . PSE IAP coursework includes skills and content-based language training, with academic support and advising offered through ELTA and IAP. Undergraduate courses are offered at two levels: ELTA Level 4 and ELTA Level 5. For more information, go to https://accelerator.american.edu/undergraduate-accelerator/pre-sessional-english/.

Extended Accelerator Program (EAP)


Extended Accelerator Program (EAP) is a four-term program, which requires successful completion of at least 24 academic credits transferable to a bachelor’s degree at American University.  Students may complete the program in as few as three terms.  Should students require the full four terms to complete requirements for successful progression, students may enroll in a reduced course load in their final term if: that term is summer and with approval from ISSS and IAP.

Course Requirements


Required (10.5 credit hours)


Complete the following with grades of C or better:

ELTA (6 credit hours)


Complete the following with grades of C or better:

Note: Effective Spring 2021, grades of B or better are required.

Live, Learn, Grow


Note: Students who do not successfully complete SPEX-062 Live, Learn, Grow  in their first term are required to repeat and pass the course in their second term. All subsequent enrollments in SPEX-062  must be passed on their first attempt.

Electives (4.5 credit hours)


  • Minimum 4.5 credit hours to be selected with Academic Advising, as articulated in the Accelerator curriculum

Academic Accelerator Program (AAP)


Academic Accelerator Program (AAP) is a 3-term program which requires successful completion of at least 24 academic credits transferable to a bachelor’s degree at American University.  Students may complete the program in as few as two terms.  Should students require the full three terms to complete requirements for successful progression, students may enroll in a reduced course load in their final term if: that term is summer and with approval from ISSS and IAP.

Course Requirements


Required (10.5 credit hours)


Complete the following with grades of C or better:

ELTA (6 credit hours)


Complete the following with grades of C or better:

Note: Effective Spring 2021, grades of B or better are required.

Live, Learn, Grow


Note: Students who successfully complete ELTA-160  in their first term are required to take and pass SPEX-062  in their second term. In the event that a student does not pass ELTA-160 in their first term, they are required to repeat and pass this course. These students will not enroll in SPEX-062 unless they need the full three terms to complete the program. In this case, these students will be required to take and pass SPEX-062 in their third term.

Electives (7.5 credit hours)


  • Minimum 7.5 credit hours to be selected with Academic Advising, as articulated in the Accelerator curriculum

Advanced Academic Accelerator Program Sub-Track


The Advanced sub-track is differentiated by the writing courses in which students enroll. In the Advanced sub-track, students may complete the AU Writing requirement prior to progression. Requirements for enrollment in WRT-101  are stipulated below.

Course Requirements


Required (10.5 credit hours)


Complete the following with grades of C or better:

ELTA (3 credit hours)


Complete the following with grade of C or better:

Note: Effective Spring 2021, grade of B or better is required.

Live, Learn, Grow


Note: Students who successfully complete ELTA-160  in their first term are required to take and pass SPEX-062  in their second term. In the event that a student does not pass ELTA-160 in their first term, they are required to repeat and pass this course. These students will not enroll in SPEX-062 unless they need the full three terms to complete the program. In this case, these students will be required to take and pass SPEX-062 in their third term.

Electives (10.5 credit hours)


  • Minimum of 10.5 credit hours to be selected with Academic Advising, as articulated in the Accelerator curriculum. Students must attempt to take WRT-101  in the term following successful completion of WRT-100 , unless that term is summer

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