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    Mar 29, 2024  
American University Catalog 2022-2023 
    
American University Catalog 2022-2023 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

American University Honors Program


We begin in wonder, journey in curiosity, and ultimately, dare to know. The AU Honors Program brings together a diverse community of students and faculty to learn in experiential and inquiry-driven ways. Propelled by curiosity and a willingness to take risks, our students endeavor to push the bounds of the known and the knowable throughout their shared academic journey. The program supports students as they dare to contribute to knowledge, creative expression, and meaningful change.

Students in AU Honors practice the fundamentals of research and critical thinking through a sequenced curriculum that includes Honors sections of AU Core classes; research experiences from across academic fields and disciplines; a Challenge Course in which they form teams to complete a collaborative project; interdisciplinary colloquia; and a Senior Capstone, which may be completed in their major.

Admission to the Program


Interested incoming students must complete an application that includes several essays, and admission is based upon excellence in their high school academic performance, demonstrated potential for high performance as undergraduate students, and their fit with the program. Enrollment is highly selective; students entering in their first year receive a merit-based scholarship and may be eligible for financial aid.

Students demonstrating exemplary achievement during their first year at AU, or students transferring to AU to begin their sophomore year, may also apply to the AU Honors Program. Students entering the program at the start of their sophomore year take an additional Honors Colloquium in lieu of the first year curriculum.

Program Requirements


  • 18-23 credit hours of AU Honors coursework with grades of C or better
    • First-year students entering the program must complete 23 credit hours
    • Sophomores entering the program must complete 18 credit hours, including an additional 3 credit hours of Honors Colloquium in lieu of the 8 credit hours of first-year coursework
  • Minimum 3.00 GPA in AU Honors coursework
  • Minimum 3.20 cumulative GPA during all program enrollment
  • Minimum 3.50 cumulative graduating GPA to receive the American University Honors Program notation on the final transcript

Course Requirements


First Year (8 credit hours)


Honors Colloquium I (3 credit hours)


Complete either an Advanced Honors Colloquium, or an upper-level honors course offered by an Honors in the Major  program:

Upper-Level Honors in the Major


Complete 3 credit hours of an honors section offered in conjunction with an Honors in the Major  program. Honors sections are designated by Honors in the Major programs, and they may offer honors courses in addition to the ones following:

Honors Colloquium II (3 credit hours)


Complete either an Advanced Honors Colloquium, or an upper-level honors course offered by an Honors in the Major  program, or an Honors Supplement  in conjunction with any non-honors upper-level course (Honors Supplement  must be approved by the AU Honors office):

Upper-Level Honors in the Major


Complete 3 credit hours of an honors section offered in conjunction with an Honors in the Major  program. Honors sections are designated by Honors in the Major programs, and they may offer honors courses in addition to the ones following:

Honors Supplement


Note: Noncredit HNRS-050 Honors Supplement (0)  may be attached to any other registered course. Honors Supplement  must be approved by the AU Honors office; please contact the office for more information.

Honors Capstone (3 credit hours)


Complete either an AU Honors Capstone, or an Honors in the Major  Capstone, or an Honors Capstone Supplement  in conjunction with any non-honors Capstone course (Honors Capstone Supplement  must be approved by the AU Honors office):

AU Honors Capstone


Honors in the Major Capstone


Complete 3 credit hours of an honors capstone offered in conjunction with an Honors in the Major  program. Honors capstone sections are designated by Honors in the Major program, and they may offer honors capstone courses in addition to the ones following:

Honors Capstone Supplement


Note: Noncredit HNRS-098 Honors Capstone Supplement (0)  may be attached to an approved Capstone  course. Honors Capstone Supplement  must be approved by the AU Honors office; please contact the office for more information.