Website: https://www.american.edu/provost/ogis/gap-year/
Offered by the Office of Global & Immersive Studies , the AU Gap Program is a unique opportunity for high school graduates to spend a semester or a year exploring their interests before transitioning to the four-year school of their choice. Established in 2015 using best practices drawn from AU’s longstanding Washington Semester Program, students engage in a DC internship three days a week while taking a college seminar at AU for a stimulating semester of hands-on learning.
The AU Gap program is the ideal gap experience for a high school graduate who is mature, ready for an academic challenge, and headed to a four-year university. Students come to AU for the fall or spring semesters and enjoy the services and benefits of AU students. They take courses with experienced AU faculty and are supported by dedicated program administrators and academic advisors. Students can participate in many of AU’s hundreds of clubs and activities and immerse themselves in its richly diverse campus community.
The core program allows students to earn 7 credit hours per semester from American University for an internship experience (3 days/week Mentored Field Practicum) and a 100-level classroom seminar (1 day/week).
Seminar classes are interactive sessions featuring guest speakers and site visits. The internship is guided by an AU professor who meets regularly with students to discuss professional development topics related to the internship experience.
Students have the option to take an additional 3-credit elective at American University for a per-credit fee.
Additionally, the Office of Global & Immersive Studies offers an affiliated non-credit version of the AU Gap Program. Students receive a non-credit official transcript from AU reflecting the grades they earn in the courses they attempt.
For more information, email augap@american.edu, or go to https://www.american.edu/provost/ogis/gap-year/.
