Academic Regulations
10.00.00 Admission Code for Undergraduate Degree
.01 Admission to Degree Status as Freshman
.02 Admission to Degree Status as Transfer Students
.03 Assignment of Advanced Standing by Certification
.04 Assignment of Advanced Standing by Validation
.06 Directions Regarding Procedure
.07 Exceptions to Minimum Standards
.08 Repeal of Prior Regulations
.01 Admission to Degree Status as Freshmen
The minimum admission requirements are:
A. Secondary Schools
1. Graduation from a secondary school with at least 15 academic units, including at least four units in English, three units in college-preparatory mathematics, including the equivalent of two units in algebra, two units in foreign language(s), two units in natural or lab science, and two units in social sciences. For international student applicants whose first language is English, two academic units in foreign language(s) will be required. For international student applicants whose first language is not English, two academic units of English will be considered a foreign language. (See also 10.10.04 Admission Procedure for International Students, subsections C and D on English-language proficiency scores, e.g., TOEFL and IELTS.)
2. A minimum academic average of above C.
3. Rank (if available) in the upper half of the class.
4. Minimum test scores should be either:
a. Verbal 580, Mathematics 480 on the Scholastic Assessment (SAT) Test of the College Entrance Examination Board, or
b. Verbal 23, Mathematics 21 on ACT Test Battery of the American College Testing Program.
The minimum test score requirement and class ranking may be waived if the application is strong in the other evaluative criteria as outlined in paragraphs 1, 2, and 3 above.
5. Exceptionally qualified junior-year students in high school may be eligible for admission.
B. Secondary School Equivalency Diploma
Applicants who hold General Education Diplomas (GEDs) may be admitted on the basis of satisfactory performance on SAT, ACT, and other such tests and transcripts. Students may also be admitted based on criteria as may be prescribed by the Committee on Undergraduate Studies.
C. Other Factors
1. The recommendation by the appropriate secondary-school official (when applicable).
2. The relationship of the applicant's grades to the secondary-school certifying grade when a numerical grading system is used.
3. The results of a personal interview (optional).
D. Applicants who meet the minimum admission requirements are not automatically guaranteed acceptance into the university.
E. Persons who have been denied admission to an undergraduate degree program at American University, but who meet the admission requirements stipulated in 10.20.02, may attend as nondegree students and are subject to the regulations which govern nondegree status.
.02 Admission to Degree Status as Transfer Students
Presuming sufficient space in those schools and colleges, admission to degree status as transfer students in the undergraduate schools and colleges of the university may be granted to applicants with the following qualifications:
A. From regionally accredited collegiate institutions bearing an AG or AP rating in the Transfer Credit Practices of Designated Educational Institutions published by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admission Officers, and recognized candidates for regional accreditation as defined in Accredited Institutions of Higher Education published by the Federation of Regionally Accrediting Commissions of Higher Education.
1. An average of C or above in all work completed from AG-rated regionally accredited collegiate institutions and recognized candidates for regional accreditation.
2. An average of B or above in all work attempted at an AP-rated regionally accredited institution. Students may be admitted from new and nonaccredited regional collegiate institutions; however, no transfer credit may be awarded from such institutions.
3. If the grade averages required in paragraphs 1 and 2 above are not met, or if circumstances warrant, the student would be advised to seek enrollment as a nondegree student for completion of at least 12 credit hours of course work in nondegree status before reapplying.
B. From collegiate institutions bearing a rating G, L, or P, in the Transfer Credit Practices of Selected Educational Institutions published by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, and Recognized Candidates for Accreditation as defined in Accredited Institutions of Higher Education published by the Federation of Regional Accrediting Commissions of Higher Education.
1. As in 10.00.02.A for applicants from AG-rated institutions and Recognized Candidates for Accreditation.
2. An average of B (3.0) or above in all work attempted at an L-rated, or a new and nonaccredited, community or junior college, with an upper limit of 60 credit hours of transfer credit. If the average is less than a B, and circumstances warrant, the student would be advised to seek enrollment for the length of 12 credit hours as a nondegree student.
C. From Other Collegiate Institutions
1. Applicants from nonaccredited collegiate institutions are evaluated for admission based on their secondary school qualifications, as described in 10.00.01.A, B, and C.
2. Separation in good standing from the institution last attended.
D. Transfer applicants whose records do not meet the minimum requirements for admission because of unsuccessful academic performance may be admitted provided their secondary-school records meet the minimum requirements for admission as stipulated in paragraphs 10.00.01.A, B, and C provided that, in the opinion of the Director of Admissions, these students show promise.
E. A transfer applicant who has been dismissed from another collegiate institution will not be considered for admission to degree status prior to the expiration of one calendar year from the date of dismissal.
F. A transfer student who is not accepted to degree status would be eligible to attend for the length of one semester or the completion of 12 credit hours as a nondegree student.
G. The colleges and the schools may impose additional requirements for admission provided that such requirements are equivalent to or greater than those set forth in this Code and approved by the Committee on Undergraduate Studies.
H. Agreements between American University and other collegiate institutions regarding transfer students must conform to the Admission Code for Undergraduate Degree Programs.
I. A "transfer student" is a student who last attended a collegiate institution other than American University. An "advanced standing student" is a student whose last attended collegiate institution is American University or as set forth in sections .03 and .04 below.
.03 Assignment of Advanced Standing by Certification
Advanced-standing credit may be assigned by the Director of Admissions for:
A. Any course that has been completed in an accredited AG-rated collegiate institution or a recognized candidate for accreditation with a grade of C or better and is appropriate for academic credit towards an undergraduate degree program.
B. Any course that has been completed in an AP-rated collegiate institution that holds regional accreditation (see Transfer Credit Practices of Designated Educational Institutions of the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers) with a grade of B or better and is appropriate for academic credit towards an undergraduate degree program as determined by the Admissions Office after consultation with the appropriate academic unit as necessary.
A maximum of 75 credit hours may be accepted from four-year collegiate institutions as designated above. A maximum of 60 credit hours may be accepted on transfer from two-year collegiate institutions as designated above. A maximum of 75 credit hours from all institutions of higher education may be transferred toward a bachelor's degree.
C. Any service-school course which has been satisfactorily completed, and for which the American Council on Education in its Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services (including supplemental evaluations and recommendations to date) has recommended that baccalaureate credit be assigned, and which is appropriate for academic credit as determined by the Admissions Office after consultation with the appropriate academic unit as necessary.
D. Any college-level United States Armed Forces Institute correspondence or extension course satisfactorily completed or any Military Occupational Skills (MOS) course satisfactorily completed with a grade of 70 or better, as recommended at the baccalaureate level by the American Council on Education in its Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services and which is appropriate for academic credit as determined by the Admissions Office after consultation with the appropriate academic unit as necessary.
E. A maximum of 30 credit hours will be accepted on transfer from either one or a combination of the two categories as stated in paragraphs C and D above.
F. Any college-level nondegree correspondence or extension course completed in an accredited collegiate institution with a grade of C or better provided the course is recognized by that institution for credit toward a degree and which is appropriate for academic credit, as determined by the Admissions Office after consultation with the appropriate academic unit as necessary.
G. Any college-level course taken in nondegree status, or correspondence or extension course completed in an L- or P-rated institution (see Transfer Credit Practices of Selected Institutions of the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers) with a grade of B or better, provided the course is recognized by that institution for credit toward a degree and which is appropriate for academic credit, as determined by the Admissions Office after consultation with the appropriate academic unit as necessary.
H. A maximum of 30 credit hours will be accepted on transfer from either one or a combination of the two categories as stated in paragraphs F and G above.
I. Any course satisfactorily completed in noncollegiate organizations which is recommended at the baccalaureate level by the American Council on Education in its National Guide to Credit Recommendations for Non-Collegiate Courses and which is appropriate for academic credit as determined by the Admissions Office after consultation with the appropriate academic unit as necessary.
.04 Assignment of Advanced Standing by Validation
A. Upon the recommendation of the appropriate teaching unit, advanced standing may be awarded or a course requirement waived for an entering student on the basis of performance in the Advanced Placement Examination Program of the College Entrance Examination Board. The teaching unit will specify the minimum scores needed for course credit or waiver for each AP exam and the amount of credit to be awarded. The Director of Admissions will conduct an annual review with the teaching units of AP course credit or waiver requirements. The Director of Admissions is then responsible for assignment of such credit upon verification of the adequate test score. A maximum of 30 credit hours earned on the basis of performance in the Advanced Placement Examination Program may be applied toward a bachelor's degree.
B. Upon the recommendation of the appropriate teaching unit, advanced standing may be awarded or a course requirement waived for an entering student on the basis of performance in the Higher Level subjects of the International Baccalaureat (IB) Program. The teaching unit will specify the minimum scores needed for course credit or waiver for each IB subject and the amount of credit to be awarded. The Director of Admissions is then responsible for assignment of such credit upon verification of the adequate test score. A maximum of 30 credit hours earned on the basis of performance in the Higher Level subjects of the International Baccalaureat Program may be applied toward a bachelor's degree.
C. Upon the recommendation of the Director of Admissions, advanced standing may be awarded to high-school students who successfully complete credit-bearing courses at a regionally accredited collegiate institution as defined in 10.00.02.A
D. Course credit, with advanced placement where appropriate, will be assigned for successful performance in the Subject Examination Program of the College Level Examination Program, contingent upon the specification of norms and upon approval of the appropriateness of the content of the examinations by the teaching unit concerned.
All undergraduate students in a degree program are eligible for course credit, with advanced placement where appropriate, on the basis of performance on the subject examinations of the College Level Examination Program, if the student has not failed or completed a credit bearing course comparable in content.
A student may not re-take a subject examination. The amount of credit earned shall be limited only by the number of university-approved examinations, the university residency requirement, and the departmental requirements. The corresponding number of credit hours shall be awarded for acceptable performance in each subject examination.
E. Assignment of credit toward General Education Requirements on the basis of performance in the Advanced Placement Examination Program of the College Entrance Examination Board, the International Baccalaureat Program, or the Subject Examination Program of the College Level Examination Board must follow guidelines established by the General Education Committee.
F. A maximum of 30 credit hours will be accepted on transfer from either one or a combination of the three categories as stated in paragraphs A, B, and D above.
A. Students who have been dismissed from the university for any reason will not be considered for readmission for a period of at least one calendar year beginning on the final day of the semester in which the dismissal action was taken. They will be required to submit the appropriate application for readmission and a personal statement as to their activities during their absence from American University. In addition, official transcripts will be required if the students have been in attendance at other collegiate institutions. The Director of Admissions in deciding whether to readmit the student shall consult the appropriate academic dean and, where any disciplinary action has been taken, the Vice President of Student Services.
B. Students who have been dismissed from the university at the end of the freshman year with less than a 1.50 grade point average and students who have been dismissed at the end of the sophomore year with less than a 1.70 grade point average shall not be readmitted.
C. An undergraduate student who for any reason interrupts attendance at American University for a period of one semester or more (excluding summer sessions) must apply for readmission unless he or she has previously secured written permission to enroll temporarily in another school or to have a leave of absence (see 35.00.08 Transfer of Credit, 75.00.07 Leaves of Absence, and 75.00.08B Permit to Study at Another Institution). Undergraduate students who leave the university in good academic standing, subsequently attend another collegiate institution and then wish to return, must submit the appropriate application for readmission and official transcripts of all work attempted since their last attendance at American University. The Director of Admissions will have the authority to act upon such applications. The Director shall, however, consult the appropriate academic dean where any disciplinary action has been taken. An undergraduate student in good standing who voluntarily interrupts enrollment may normally continue if satisfactory grades were earned in any study undertaken at another institution during the period of absence.
D. All readmitted undergraduate students are subject to the academic regulations in effect at the time of readmission.
.06 Directions Regarding Procedure
In general, the Committee on Undergraduate Studies and the Director of Admissions have discretion within the frame of reference set by the above paragraphs. The Director of Admissions may deny admission to any applicant for lawful reasons and in the best interest of the university.
.07 Exceptions to Minimum Standards
The Committee on Undergraduate Studies may make exceptions to minimum standards established herein. However, these exceptions may account for no more than 10 percent of the freshman applicants for degree status accepted for admission.
Students accepted for freshman admission who do not present a minimum of two academic units* in foreign language(s) will be required to fulfill this condition of admission no later than the end of the freshman year. (If students have one year of foreign language they will have to take one semester of foreign language.)
* For the purpose of satisfying this requirement, two high school academic units equal two college semesters.
.08 Repeal of Prior Regulations
Adoption of this Code of Admissions Standards for Undergraduate Degree Programs by the University Senate constitutes a repeal of all previous regulations relating to undergraduate admissions except as regards international students.
Senate action January 1998. Provost approval February 1998. Effective fall 1998.
