Who must take General Education courses at American University?
All AU undergraduate students, regardless of major or program, must fulfill the General Education Program requirements prior to graduation. This has been the case since the implementation of the General Education Program in 1989.
How many General Education courses must I take?
You must take two courses in each of the five curricular areas (for a total of ten courses and 31 credit hours). First you take a foundation course and then follow it with a second-level course that appears in the same cluster. This sequencing is essential to the concept of the program, as each second-level course links in content to a particular foundation course. Consult the Schedule of Classes, the University Catalog, or the Freshman Guide to Academic Programs and Registration for a complete listing of course clusters.
May I take a second-level General Education course first?
Sorry, no. If you are taking the courses for General Education credit, the foundation course serves as a prerequisite for the second-level course. So if you take a second-level course before the foundation course, or take the two concurrently, you will not receive General Education credit for the pair, even if they are in the same cluster. However, if you take the courses for any other purpose, you may take them in any sequence as long as routine prerequisites are met.
What if the course section I want to take is closed?
It happens sometimes! Almost all courses are offered at least once a year, so wait until the next semester and see if the course fits into your schedule. Many courses, especially foundation courses, are offered in multiple sections. Perhaps a different course will be compatible with your current semester schedule. Remember, if you choose an alternative second-level course, be sure it’s in the cluster of the foundation course you’ve taken. Your academic advisor and the General Education office can help you locate an available section, but we cannot override carefully planned enrollment limits in course sections.
Is there a limit on the number of courses I can take in a single academic discipline?
Yes! The idea is a general education. Although some academic departments have courses in several curricular areas, you may not take more than two General Education courses in a discipline. For example, you may take only two sociology courses (with the course designator beginning with “SOCY”) out of your ten General Education courses. Look at the course designator to determine the academic discipline.
What is the minimum grade that merits General Education credit in a course?
You must earn a D or better to get General Education credit for a course. You may also elect to take a General Education class on a pass/fail basis. However, if you are taking a General Education class to fulfill major or minor requirements, a D or a pass/fail grade might not be sufficient. Check with the appropriate academic department or your advisor to be sure about grading options and standards.
How long does it take to finish the General Education Program?
The program is designed to be completed in your first two years. You should try to finish your General Education requirements as soon as possible to keep your last years open for off-campus opportunities such as internships and study abroad. If you have not yet completed your mathematics requirement, it is essential that you speak to your advisor about the exact nature of its connection to area 5, the Natural Sciences.
May I be exempted from General Education or some curricular area in which I have prior experience?
No, all undergraduate students at American University are required to complete the General Education Program. You must also complete the college writing and university mathematics requirements. If you have experience in a curricular area, consider the broad range of disciplines represented in the area. For example, Area 1, the Creative Arts, offers courses in literature, communications, the fine arts, and the performing arts. This affords you the opportunity of breadth and context for areas in which you already have knowledge.
May I take General Education courses at another school?
Due to the unique nature of General Education courses, how they’re taught, and their connection to the learning objectives and values of the university, once students are enrolled at American University, they must complete all 31 hours of General Education courses here. You may not substitute courses at other institutions or other American University courses. Special exceptions, however, apply to transfer students and entering students who have approved advanced placement credentials.
May I take General Education courses during the summer?
Certainly. Many General Education courses are offered during the summer, and special care is taken to make sure that foundation and second-level sequences are offered in consecutive sessions. It is therefore possible to complete entire curricular areas in a single summer. Fulfilling General Education requirements in summer courses at AU is perfectly acceptable and often more convenient.
Do advanced placement examinations count for General Education credit?
Yes, but specific articulations apply. Students presenting a 4 or 5 on the advanced placement exam; 75 percent on the CLEP exam; or grades for which they have gotten credit from the British A-level, CEGEP, IB, or German Abitur may be able to apply the credit for up to four General Education courses. This applies only to courses taken prior to entering American University. See your academic advisor or consult our table of examinations and their approved articulations.
I am a transfer student. Do I get General Education credit for courses I have taken before coming to American University?
First, welcome to AU. You’ve made a smart choice! While transfer students must still fulfill the 31 hours of General Education, academic advisors will match courses taken prior to entering AU with General Education courses to determine whether they qualify for credit in the program. It is technically possible for all 10 hours to be transferred with approval of the student’s dean. Also, if a student transfers 6 hours in one curricular area, the sequencing requirement is waived. But, once enrolled at AU, no further courses may be taken elsewhere.
Do you grant exceptions to General Education policy?
Under extraordinary circumstances. The exception process is designed for students who, through no fault of their own, have been unable to properly fulfill the Program requirements. A successful exception petition will demonstrate that the obstacle facing the student is a situation over which they had no control, and that the student has made a good-faith effort to fulfill the General Education Program expectations -- the spirit, if not the letter, of the rules. Submitting an exception petition requires a form which can be downloaded here; note that a copy of the student's DARS report must be attached to the form when it is submitted to the General Education Program office.
