Please use the links below, or browse down the page, for FAQ-style information about the issues below.
REGISTRATION & SCHEDULE ISSUES
How and When to See an Advisor in the College
Making an Appointment w/ Academic Counselors
Registering for Classes Online
Dropping and Adding Classes
Automated Waitlist Registration Process (for classes that are full)
Study in the Washington Consortium
Academic Calendar
Registration Scheduling Process
Registration Schedule
Final Exam Schedule
ACADEMIC PROGRAM ISSUES
Selecting a Major or Minor
Declaring a Major or Minor
General Education Program
Honors Program
Internships
Study Abroad
Summer Study Elsewhere
Leaving the University Temporarily or Permanently
Exceptions to University Regulations
GRADING & GOOD ACADEMIC CONDUCT
Academic Warnings and Probations
Academic Dismissal
Grading System
Grade Point Average
Dean's List
Academic Integrity Code
Freshman Forgiveness Rule
Incomplete Grades
Review of Academic Records
MISCELLANEOUS ISSUES
Nonacademic issues—see Student Resources
CAS Annual Student Research Conference
CAS Undergraduate Student Council
Federal Work-Study Program
REGISTRATION & SCHEDULE ISSUES
How and When to See an Advisor in the College
Please see How and When to See an Advisor.
Making an Appointment with Your CAS Academic Counselor
Appointments can be made online with our 24-hour Online Appointment Scheduler.
Appointments with academic counselors should be made at least 24 hours in advance by calling 202-885-2453 or in person in Battelle 100. During the busy registration periods, counselor appointments sometimes fill quickly, so schedule your appointment well in advance. If you have an urgent matter at any time, contact your advisor directly via e-mail or by phone, or visit Battelle 100. Someone else will assist you if your advisor is not available. During the first two weeks of classes in the fall and spring semesters. Counselors are available on a walk-in, first-come, first-served basis to assist students with registration questions.
Registering for Classes Online
Students who have successfully completed a semester of study at AU are able to register for courses online on their specified registration date and anytime thereafter. Prior to registration every semester, however, the student must first meet with their academic counselor or faculty major advisor and receive an electronic clearance (be ‘released’ to register). Student athletes, Honors Program students, and students in special programs may also need to obtain additional authorization from their advisors in these areas before registering.
Dropping and Adding Classes
Prior to your first semester at American, you will work with your academic counselor to select courses and your counselor will handle the actual registration process. Once your first semester begins, you are then able to go on-line to change your course schedule and/or grading options. In subsequent semesters, you will also register for your courses on-line, on your designated date and after you have obtained an electronic authorization from your academic counselor or your faculty advisor. Every student is required to meet at least once a semester with their advisor to discuss current and future academic plans, and you are encouraged to schedule additional meetings whenever you feel it necessary.
Automated Waitlist Registration Process (for classes that are full)
During registration and add/drop periods, students often wish to enroll in sections that have reached their enrollment capacity and are closed. The new Automated Waitlist Process provides an opportunity for students to enroll in closed sections as space becomes available. Please see New Automated Waitlist for more info.
Study in the Washington Consortium
American University is a member of the Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area. AU students may seek permission to register for a consortium course if the course is not offered at American University. For more information about policies and procedures, please refer to the registrar's consortium page. You should also discuss your plans in advance with your academic counselor or your faculty advisor.
Academic Calendar
The Academic Calendar lists all important dates in the semester and is more comprehensive than the entries in most other publications. Review the dates listed and be sure you understand what they mean. You are responsible for acting in accordance with this information. Contact your academic counselor if you have questions.
Registration Scheduling Process
The date that you are able to register is based on the number of credits you have completed at American and the number of credits earned from examinations or college courses elsewhere which have been accepted and entered into the your official AU record. For that reason, you should strive to ensure that all official documents (exam scores, college transcripts) are received in the correct office no later than October 1 for the fall semester or March 1 for the spring semester. Several University offices are usually involved in this process, therefore you must plan ahead to allow time for it to be completed.
Check the Registration Schedule for dates.
Beginning at 12:01 am on ‘your’ registration date, you should be able to go on-line and follow the simple prompts to create your class schedule for the next semester.
REMEMBER: You MUST receive the electronic signature from your academic counselor or faculty advisor before you are able to register at all, and in some cases additional permission must be obtained for some specific courses (as indicated in the course listing on the Schedule of Classes).
Final Exam Schedule
The semester final exam schedule is made available at the time the semester course schedule is posted. Once you have created a preliminary course schedule, it is recommended that you review the final exam schedule to ensure that your exams are appropriately spaced. If not, you can make changes to your course schedule before you register for classes. It is best to assume that changes to exam dates will not be made except in extraordinary circumstances; consult with your professors immediately if that is necessary.
ACADEMIC PROGRAM ISSUES
Selecting a Major or Minor
The process of selecting a major is important. Students are encouraged to take courses in a variety of areas to test out their interests; to discuss their ideas with faculty, academic counselors, and their peers; and to use other resources such as the Career Center as part of their exploration. CAS advisors periodically sponsor panel discussions with upperclass students from a variety of majors, most of whom started either in a different major or were undecided. Students discuss their own process of selecting a major and what elements were important to them in making that choice, what they particularly enjoy about the major, the types of careers they are considering.
Declaring a major or minor
Click here for more information about declaring your major or your minor.
General Education Program
Many CAS students have discovered their majors through courses they took as part of the AU General Education Program. The program is designed to be completed within the first two years at American. Plan your General Education course of study carefully and thoughtfully, in terms of course content, the sequencing of courses, and the ‘discipline limits’. Consult with your academic counselor if you have questions. If you expect to use a General Education course for both Gen Ed and major requirements, you must register for it for a grade A-F and you must receive a grade of C or higher. Otherwise, a grade of D or higher will suffice for General Education credit. You may also receive General Education (but not major) credit for a course you take Pass/Fail, and receive a grade of Pass.
Honors Program
Each semester, a select number of new students are invited to join the University Honors Program at the time of their admission. Current students who have achieved an excellent academic record in a minimum of one semester of study at AU may also apply to join. See the FAQ section for more details about the self-nomination process.
Internships
Each year, hundreds of CAS students gain valuable experience and insight, as well as academic credit, in internships in a variety of workplaces through the metropolitan area. Discuss this option with your academic counselor or faculty advisor well in advance, since arranging an internship takes time and advance planning. The Career Center staff includes an internship coordinator with special expertise for CAS students; consult the Career Center website.
Study Abroad
The opportunity to study in another country always enriches a student’s personal and academic experience. College of Arts and Sciences students are strongly encouraged to consider this option as part of their undergraduate study. Begin as early as possible, with a discussion with your CAS counselor, faculty in your intended or declared major, and with staff in the AU Abroad Office. Careful planning and some independent research will help you find a program that best meets your needs.
AU Abroad has arrangements with a large number of academic institutions in a variety of countries, and up-to-date information about each of those institutions. AU Abroad staff members conduct frequent information sessions and special programs featuring recent returnees or faculty from specific sites abroad.
Summer Study Elsewhere
American offers a full range of courses during two summer sessions, and many AU students use this opportunity to complete requirements early or to take electives they would otherwise be unable to fit into the regular term. Occasionally students need to return home for the summer and wish to attend a local institution and transfer course credits back to their AU academic record. All arrangements must be made well in advance of the close of the spring semester. In every case, permission from various departments as well as your academic counselor and the CAS dean must be obtained. Consult with your academic counselor for more details. Reminder: all General Education requirements must be completed at AU once a student has enrolled.
Leaving the University Temporarily or Permanently
Occasionally it becomes necessary for a student to leave the university either temporarily or permanently. Temporary leaves of absence can be obtained for a semester or a year for students in good standing who intend to return to their programs at AU. Students who wish to end their course of study at AU should fill out a Voluntary Withdrawal form prior to leaving campus in their final semester. Students should discuss their options with their academic counselors as soon as possible. If necessary, the academic counselor will take the student’s request for either a Leave or Voluntary Withdrawal via e-mail and fill out the necessary forms on behalf of the student. The associate dean’s approval is required.
Exceptions to University Regulations
All AU students are responsible for knowing the Academic Regulations governing academics and for abiding by these rules.
Exceptions to these regulations are considered only in extraordinary and infrequent circumstances. Students should meet with their academic counselor first to determine the feasibility of pursuing an exception and, if the situation warrants, the procedures for doing so. If the Associate Dean supports the exception, the request will be forwarded to the Registrar’s Office for a final decision.
GRADING & GOOD ACADEMIC CONDUCT
Review of Academic Records
At the end of each fall and spring semester, academic counselors review grade reports for each CAS student and, after consulting with the Associate Dean, recommend various actions appropriate to the academic record. Students with qualifying records are nominated to the Dean’s List, and a congratulatory letter from the Dean is also sent. Other actions are conveyed by letter after consultation with the Dean. The range of possibilities includes academic warning, academic probation, or academic dismissal. Students are also referred to other University resources for appropriate services. Check Academic Regulations for specific information.
Freshman Forgiveness Rule
Students in their first two full-time semesters at AU who receive a grade of F or X in a course, and who then repeat that course within the next calendar year, may be eligible to apply the Freshman Forgiveness Rule. Once the academic unit has verified to the Registrar’s Office that the student is eligible, only the second grade for the course is used in the student’s cumulative grade point average. The first grade, however, remains on the student’s transcript. A course in which a failing grade was received due to an academic integrity code penalty is NOT eligible for freshman forgiveness. This rule is frequently misunderstood. Please consult with your academic counselor for accurate information.
Incomplete Grades
Under some circumstances a professor may assign an incomplete grade (I) to a student who is performing well in a course but is unable to complete all assignments. Students seeking an incomplete should speak directly to their professor as early as possible. If the professor is willing to allow an Incomplete, an agreement is reached with the student stipulating the work to be done, the completion date, and a default grade should the work go unfinished. Academic regulations require that the work be completed no later than the last day of classes of the following semester, but an earlier date can be stipulated by the faculty member.
Academic Integrity Code
By enrolling at American University, students acknowledge that they understand and will abide by the University's Academic Integrity Code.
Academic Warnings and Probation
Counselors review students' grade reports at the end of the fall and spring semesters. Students who show signs of struggle may be issued a letter of academic warning. Warnings alert students to problems and advise them of resources that might assist them. Warnings do not become a part of a student's permanent record. Students who show extreme difficulties or have multiple semesters of poor performance will be placed on academic probation. Students on probation are in jeopardy of being dismissed from the university if performance does not improve. Counselors may require regular meetings or additional actions from students placed on probation. Academic probations become a part of a student's permanent record and are reported on the university's transcript.
Academic Dismissal
Students who show no improvement in their academic performance can be dismissed from the university. In the event of academic dismissal counselors will make every effort to notify the student as far in advance of the next semester as possible. Dismissed students are not eligible to take classes or live on campus for one calendar year. Dismissed students seeking to return to AU after one year must reapply for admission. If readmitted, students become responsible for the degree program as it exists in the year of readmission.
Grading System
Students may opt to take classes for a letter grade (A-F), on a pass/fail basis, or to audit the course for no credit. Tuition for all grading options is the same. Undergraduate students should remember that major requirements must be taken for letter grade, and that a maximum of 50% of courses can be taken on a pass/fail basis. Grading options are chosen at registration and cannot be changed after the second week of classes.
Grade Point Average
American University calculates student performance on a 4-point scale based upon the letter grades assigned in class. Students must maintain a minimum 2.0 ("C" average) to be in good standing at the university. See the Registrar's Page for information on how to calculate your GPA.
Dean's List
Students who demonstrate exceptional work during a semester are honored by being named to the dean's list. Eligible students must take a minimum of 15 credit hours in the semester with at least 12 hours of course work taken for letter grade (A-F) credit and must achieve a grade point average of 3.67 or higher. Students who receive an incomplete grade ("I") in a course are not eligible for dean's list. A letter of congratulation from the dean is sent to every student on the dean's list.
MISCELLANEOUS ISSUES
Nonacademic issues: See Student Resources.
Ann Robyn Mathias Student Research Conference
This annual CAS student research conference, held each spring, showcases the original scholarly and creative works of CAS graduate and undergraduate students, as well as other AU students who submit work completed for CAS courses. Presentations and panel discussions continue at multiple locations throughout the day, and colleagues, faculty, family members and friends of participants are invited to join presenters at a lunch hosted by the College. Learn more about the Mathias Student Research Conference.
CAS Undergraduate Student Council
The CAS Undergraduate Student Council serves as an advisory group to the Dean and undertakes various projects throughout the academic year, including the sponsorship of College-wide student social activities. The Council encourages participation from a wide variety of students; please call 202-885-2687 for more information.
Federal Work-Study Program
The College of Arts and Sciences offers many opportunities to students who have been awarded aid through the Federal Work-Study Program to earn income and experience while taking classes at AU. Students eligible for Work-Study positions should visit the Human Resources office for a list of open positions.
